Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer. Make sure any hard disk drives are powered on and properly connected to your computer, and that any disk-related hardware configuration is correct. This may involve running a manufacturer-supplied diagnostic or setup program. Setup cannot continue. To quit setup, press F3. I get the above error when i try to install win xp on vista please guide

Unplug , remove battery, reseat the HDD, plug in, reboot. Is the HDD new? If no remove and test.

This issue is often caused by either an incorrect setting in BIOS or a bad boot device, such as a bad hard disk drive.

Try this:

Verify that your hard disk drive is setup and detected properly in BIOS. You're computer should list a hard disk drive installed either under the main page or the drives page in BIOS. If BIOS indicates the drive is not installed or not detected skip to Hard Disk drive is bad or not connected properly.
Verify the boot options are properly set in BIOS, almost all BIOS setups should contain options specifying how your computer boots. For example, most computers should have their boot options setup similar to the below example.

- Floppy drive
- CD drive
- Hard drive

Rest your BIOS to default values. Many BIOS will enable users to reset the values to the default settings. If you've tried the above options without success try resetting the BIOS.

Boot from either your emergency repair disk, your bootable Windows CD, or your bootable restore CD.
Once boot attempt to repair Windows. If you're able to repair Windows remove the disks and reboot the computer.

If the above fails:

Verify the connections are properly connected to the computer if the hard drive was recently installed or the computer was moved.

If all connections are setup properly and all the above recommendations have been attempted, it is likely that the hard disk drive is bad and it will need to be replaced.

Let us know how it works out.

Hi,

Try to DISABLE SATA in BIOS.

To Enter in BIOS pelase Follow these steps.

1. Power ON computer and Press "DEL" or F1 or F2 or F10 to enter BIOS.
2. here you can find SATA Option . and Disable it

You can refer Manufacturer Manual to perform this task.

Regards,

You may be able to purchase a system disk from Compaq, otherwise, try any generic XP disk. It won't have any Compaq drivers, but at least you can reformat the C: drive and get XP on it.

Most likely you have a SATA drive which windows is not detecting. Restart the setup and press F6. You will need to use another system to download the SATA drivers and save to a disk. Then when prompted you can insert the disk. You can also upgrade to XP professional which will almost always recognize the SATA drives. Good Luck.

This error means the operating system on the hard disk couldn't load due to possible faulty hard drive or disk controller. The fault could also mean the hard drive needs reseating to make proper connection. Reseat the hard drive and if you still get this error, then you need to determine if the disk controller is faulty.
To do this, remove the hard drive and connect it to an USB hard drive adapter and plug it into a working computer's USB port. If this computer see this hard drive as an external drive and you can also see the contents of the drive, then the hard drive is OK and the fault is a faulty disk controller. If the computer cannot detect the hard drive then the hard drive is faulty.
Then get a new hard drive insert it into youe laptop and install Windows to get your laptop operatioal.

1. Verify that your hard disk drive is setup and detected properly in BIOS. You're computer should list a hard disk drive installed either under the main page or the drives page in BIOS. If BIOS indicates the drive is not installed or not detected skip to Hard Disk drive is bad or not connected properly.
2. Verify the boot options are properly set in BIOS, almost all BIOS setups should contain options specifying how your computer boots. For example, most computers should have their boot options setup similar to the below example.
   
   - Floppy drive
   - CD drive
   - Hard drive
   
3. Rest your BIOS to default values. Many BIOS will enable users to reset the values to the default settings. If you've tried the above options without success try resetting the BIOS.

More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and connections. Ensure all cables are connected and connected firmly. IDE and floppy ribbon cables and power cables can often go loose. Ensure microprocessor, memory modules, and adapters such as video card are inserted correctly and didn't "pop-up" due to vibration.
System has no power at all. Power light does not illuminate, fan inside the power supply does not turn on, and indicator light on keyboard does not turn on. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Power cable is unplugged. Visually inspect power cable. Make sure power cable is securely plugged in.
Defective power cable. Visual inspection, try another cable. Replace cable.
Power supply failure. Power cable and wall socket are OK, but system is still dead. Contact technical support
Faulty wall outlet;circuit breaker or fuse blown. Plug device into socket know to work and test. Use different socket, repair outlet, reset circuit breaker or replace fuse.



System inoperative. Keyboard lights are on, power indicator lights are lit, and hard drive is spinning. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Expansion card is partially dislodged from expansion slot on the motherboard. Turn off computer. Take cover off system unit.
Check all expansion cards to ensure they are securely seated in slots. Using even pressure on both ends of the expansion card, press down firmly on expansion card.
Defective floppy disk drive or tape drive. Turn system off.
Disconnect the cables from one of the floppy drives. Turn on the system, check to see if the keyboard operates normally. Repeat until you have located defective unit. Contact Technical Support.
Defective expansion card. Turn computer off.
Remove an expansion card. Make sure expansion card is secure in expansion socket.



System does not boot from hard disk drive, can be booted from floppy disk drive. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Connector between hard drive and system board unplugged. When attempting to run the FDISK utility described in the HARD DISK section of the manual you get a message, INVALID DRIVE SPECIFICATION. Check cable running form disk to disk controller on the board. Make sure both ends are securely plugged in; check the drive type in the Standard CMOS Setup (in your motherboard manual).
Damaged Hard Disk or Disk Controller. Format hard disk; if unable to do so, the hard disk may be defective. Contact Technical Support.
Hard Disk directory or FAT is scrambled. Run the FDISK program, format the hard drive(See HARD DRIVE section of manual). Copy your backup data back onto hard drive. Backing up the hard drive is extremely important. All Hard Disks are capable of breaking down at any time.



System only boots from Floppy Disk. Hard Disk can be read and applications can be used, but booting from Hard Disk is impossible. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Hard Disk boot program has been destroyed. A number of causes could be behind this. Back up data and applications files.
Reformat the Hard Drive as described in the Hard Drive section of the manual. Re-install applications and data using backup disks.



Error message reading "SECTOR NOT FOUND" or other error messages indication certain data is not allowed to be retrieved. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
A number of causes could be behind this. Use a file by file backup instead of an image backup to backup the Hard Disk. Back up any salvageable data. Then do a low level format, partition, and high level format of the hard drive( see Hard Disk section of your manual for instructions). Re-install all saved data when completed.



Disk formatted on IBM PS/2 will not operate with this system. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
The IBM PS/2 uses a different format than other computers. IBM PS/2 disk format will not work in an AT type computer. Format disk in the AT type computer insert disk into the IBM PS/2 and copy the files you wish.



After install an expansion card (network card, tape drive card, etc.) the system no longer works properly. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
No power to monitor. All or part of the system may be inoperable. The new card may work but a mouse or COM port may not work. Change the interrupt or RAM address on the new expansion card. See the documentation that came with the new card in order to change pin settings. many expansion devices come with proprietary software that will assist you in doing this.



Screen message says "Invalid Configuration" or "CMOS Failure." PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Incorrect information entered into the configuration (setup) program. Check the configuration program. Replace any incorrect information. Review system's equipment. Make sure correct information is in setup.



Screen is blank. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
No power to monitor. Power connectors may be loose or not plugged in. Check the power connectors to monitor and to system. Make sure monitor is connected to display card, change I/O address on network card if applicable.
Monitor not connected to computer. See instructions above.
Network card I/O address conflict. See instructions above.



System does not boot from hard disk drive, can be booted from floppy disk drive. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Connector between hard drive and system board unplugged. When attempting to run the FDISK utility described in the HARD DISK section of the manual you get a message, INVALID DRIVE SPECIFICATION. Check cable running form disk to disk controller on the board. Make sure both ends are securely plugged in; check the drive type in the Standard CMOS Setup (in your



Problem PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Memory problem, display card jumpers not set correctly. Reboot computer. Re-install memory, make sure that all memory modules are installed in correct sockets. Check jumper and switch settings on display card. See display card section for information of settings.
Computer virus. Use anti-virus programs (McAfee/PC-cillin, E-port, etc) to detect and clean viruses.



Screen goes blank periodically. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Screen saver is enabled. Disable screen saver.



Keyboard failure. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Keyboard is disconnected. Reconnect keyboard. Check keys again, if no improvement, replace keyboard.



No color on screen. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Faulty Monitor. If possible, connect monitor to another system. If no color, replace monitor.
CMOS incorrectly set up. Call technical support.



Floppy drive lights stays on. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Floppy Drive cable not connected correctly. Reconnect floppy cable making sure PIN1 on the Floppy Drive corresponds with PIN1 on floppy cable connector.



Error reading drive A: PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Bad floppy disk. Try new floppy disk.
Floppy disk not formatted Format floppy disk(type ENTER)



C: drive failure. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
SETUP program does not have correct information. Boot from drive A: using DOS system disk. Input correct information to SETUP program.
Hard Drive cable not connected properly. Check Hard drive cable.



Cannot boot system after installing second hard drive. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Master/Slave jumpers not set correctly. Set master /Slave jumpers correctly.
Hard Drives not compatible / different manufacturers. Run SETUP program and select correct drive types. Call drive manufactures for compatibility with other drives.



Missing operating system on hard drive. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CMOS setup has been changed. Run setup and select correct drive type.



Certain keys do not function. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Keys jammed or defective. Replace keyboard.



Keyboard is locked, no keys function. PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
Keyboard is locked. Unlock keyboard



If a problem persists, please search for a solution or post a question in our tech support forum in our Help Desk.

You must disable the native mode for the SATA in setup mode.

***NOTE*** be sure that you have all of your drivers for the SATA and all drivers for windows xp before beginning.