Sata isnot reconized in bios nor will it install xp on a sata drive it starts to load all files then when to enter to set up xp home sp-3 the board is new been shelved then it gives windows cannot be installed no hard drive was found on your system, it will take a IDE drive but the test ide is old but worked ok i have reset the bios to default and no change then i reset it back to no floppy drive, it has two sata ports

SATA HARD DRIVE - XP INSTALLATION
The problem is that XP installation CD does not have a SATA driver, unless you have a SATA drive on a disk etc. and can install the driver when XP asks for a hard drive driver then, XP cannot detect the hard disk and therefore won't install XP. The FIX. Go into the BIOS and disable the SATA drive (enable IDE emulation), this will make XP think it is a IDE/PATA hard disk. Then you can install XP normally. When Windows has been installed then install all the device drivers (including the SATA driver), then shut down and boot up and got into the BIOS and enable the SATA drive.

If you are trying to install Windows XP then -
The problem is that XPinstallation CD does not have a SATA driver, unless you have a SATA drive on adisk etc. and can install the driver when XP asks for a hard drive driver then,XP cannot detect the hard disk and therefore won't install XP.The FIX.Go into the BIOS anddisable the SATA drive (enable IDE emulation), this will make XP think it is aIDE/PATA hard disk. Then you can install XP normally. When Windows hasbeen installed then install all the device drivers (including the SATA driver),then shut down and boot up and got into the BIOS and enable the SATA drive.http://www.fixya.com/support/r4335035-installing_windows_xp_sata_hard_drive

its very simple....
enter the bios setting...The BIOS settings menu is accessible by pressing the f2 or f10 or the f6 key on some computers.
if the BIOS provides an option to disable the native-SATA configuration in the BIOS, do the following steps to Disable the native-SATA in the BIOS

1. Use the cursor to navigate the Configuration options to locate the Native-SATA setting. 2. If there is a SATA setting, select the Disable option, and then press F10 to save the change and restart the computer.

if your system bios does not contain such option.... then find "Native SATA mode" or "SATA IDE"
then change "AHCI" to "ATA"
then press F10 to save the change and restart the computer.

Suggest you connect the plextor to the SATA port 3 and set it's jumper to Master. All SATA drives are seen as Master drives. (Check the serial number on your WD SATA drive "Primary".
Enter the bios menu. Within page 3-7 section 3-3 Advanced bios features. Check, 1st, 2nd and third boot devices.
Floppy disk drive as, 1st boot device. 2nd boot device, "Primary WD SATA port 1". 3rd boot device, CD-ROM drive SATA port 2, Plextor 880sa drive". Save and exit the bios. If you no longer have you're manual you can download it from the link provided below;
http://ftp.abit.com.tw/pub/download/fae/ic7-g_eng_v101.pdf
Check page 3-13. See OnChip serial ATA Mode. As noted, the RAID option is available when the item "OnChip serial ATA" is set as [Enhanced Mode].

Cheers'
Mike

I would run a deeper scan of the hard drive while hooked up to the SATA -USB enclosure. Try using either Seatools or Western digital Data lifegurad tools and run the long scans. If the XP CD is in fact SP-3 it should have all of the necessary drivers for SATA drives. I am suspecting some bad sectors and a possibly failing hard drive, which would also explain why Vista froze.

These diagnostic tools can be found at:
http://majorgeeks.com/Western_Digital_Data_Lifeguard_Tools_d2855.html
and
http://majorgeeks.com/Seagate_SeaTools_for_Windows_d2858.html

That happens because the BIOS uses a SATA controller that is not included in Windows XP install disk.

Usually you can solve the problem going to BIOS settings and changing SATA/RAID settings.Check your BIOS settings, and disable SATA RAID mode.This is done in different ways depending on the BIOS.

On HP/Compaq computers for example you press F2 on startup to enter BIOS, then disable SATA mode on bios settings.
On other makes the procedure can be slightly different.

Another way to fix the problem, is by creating your own XP setup disk with SATA drivers included, see: Resolving "Setup did not find any hard disk drives" during Windows .

you need your windows xp disc preferably slip streamed with SP 2 or SP 3 and then you should be able to install it onto your sata hard drive.

If you are having issues then you may need to extract the sata drivers onto a memory stick or floppy disk and press F6 before windows xp loads and specify to use the sata drivers which you can download from the motherboards manufacturers website generally as a zip file which you will first need to extract into a folder.

If that does not work using the memory stick you can use nlite to slipstream the drivers with your windows xp disc :

Nlite download

if you need more help post back

What kind of hard drive are you using. Are you using a SATA hard drive? If so you have to install the SATA drivers for the hard drive so that the Windows XP Pro can detect it.

That happens because the BIOS uses a SATA controller that is not included in Windows XP install disk.

Usually you can solve the problem going to BIOS settings and changing SATA/RAID settings.Check your BIOS settings, and disable SATA RAID mode.This is done in different ways depending on the BIOS.

On HP/Compaq computers for example you press F2 on startup to enter BIOS, then disable SATA mode on bios settings.
On other makes the procedure can be slightly different.

Another way to fix the problem, is by creating your own XP setup disk with SATA drivers included, see: Resolving "Setup did not find any hard disk drives" during Windows .

The original Windows XP Installation CD, a freeware application named NLite and a blank CD.
we need the drivers for the SATA controller provided by the manufacturer.

When you start the Nlite application, you will be asked to provide the location for the Windows installation package. Insert the genuine Windows Installation CD into the CD drive and, inside the application, select the CD drive letter.
To insert the SATA drivers within the installation package, you need to have it saved on the HDD. Hence, when the warning window appears click OK and select the destination folder for the files to be saved. Make sure that the destination partition / HDD has enough space to store the contents of the installation CD.

Immediately after you have chosen the destination folder, the application will start copying the Windows installation files. When finished, it will display some version information regarding the newly copied Windows Installation Package.
Now, click next twice until you get to a screen where you get options sorted in 4 categories: Integrate, Remove, Setup, Create. We are interested in the integration procedure, therefore select the Drivers button and click next. From the next menu window, click Import and select multiple drive folder option from the drop down menu. This option permits you to browse to the location where the downloaded drivers are found.
Select the containing directory and click next. You will get a list with the available drivers (in case there are more than one) or simply one driver. Select it (them) and click next. Now the application will ask for the permission to start the integration procedure. Choose Yes and wait for the drivers to be inserted into the installation package.
With problematic driver being included in the installation package you can install Windows XP on your SATA HDD...but...the installation package is on the HDD. You need a bootable CD in order to start an installation. Don't worry, once the installation package has been adorned with additional user selected drivers it can be transformed into a bootable disk image and later burned on a CD. To encapsulate the installation into a ISO image use the same Nlite application.
Open it, make sure the HDD installation folder is selected and click next. Select "Last session" preset and click next again. Now from the options menu choose Bootable ISO and click next. In the following window, make sure that the mode is set to "Create Image" and click Make ISO. A destination folder is required where the resulting ISO image will be saved. Once the image saving process finished you have the freedom to burn it on a blank CD with whatever you favorite CD burner software may be.

The new CD will be the twin copy of the Windows Installation CD but with one difference, it includes the SATA driver