Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Newly bought used PC didn't recognized my hard disk.

by PizzaGuy Apr 11, 2005 6:21AM PDT

I bought a used Compaq Deskpro P3 700MHz without a hard disk. I plug it with my hard disk from my old pc P2 233MHz MMX running on Windows 98 and when turned it on, it gave an error message - Non system disk. When I ran the setup during boot up, it saw the hard disk and when I ran Windows xp install, it detected the hard disk and saw it had another OS in it. Any thought what's wrong here?

Discussion is locked

6 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Well tell us! What did you do
by Ray Harinec Apr 11, 2005 7:41AM PDT

when XP saw that there was another Op Sys on the disk??? Did it ask if you wanted to install XP on the same partition or????

Possible problems is because proprietary computers such as Compaq's and especially the older ones had data stored on a hidden partiton telling the system what hardware it has and has the drivers. TheBIOS may be confused by the different drive.

Can you boot up with a 98 boot floppy?

Can you get into the BIOS to boot from the floppy first if it isn't already set that way.

Did the drive show on the boot screen????

- Collapse -
Here's what I do ...
by PizzaGuy Apr 11, 2005 2:11PM PDT

Yes, xp asked whether I want to install in the same partition and I didn't install it. I just want to test whether xp sees my hard disk. The pc did not come with a floppy drive either so I have not tried boot up with a 98 boot disk. But the drive did show in the boot screen. If indeed some required data is stored in the hidden partition, how can I overcome this? If I format the hard disk and install the windows xp, do you think it will solve the problem?

- Collapse -
(NT) (NT) just relize if you format the drive you lose all driver
by Mark5019 Apr 11, 2005 11:59PM PDT
- Collapse -
Two aspects. Win XP has many drivers
by Ray Harinec Apr 12, 2005 4:39AM PDT

for older equipment. For the mobo drivers you should be able to get them from the Compaq website [now HP because they merged].

You should also be able to find the drivers at the HP site. This assumes that you know the exact model number of the Compaq system.

Possibly your Win 98 has some corrupted files which prevents it from being seen, but enough good ones for XP to see that it is there.

- Collapse -
Have you set you slave...
by natscape Apr 11, 2005 8:45PM PDT

What slave did you set the H.D to run on during installation, try the Bios settings during boot up and have a look at what it is recognising the HD at, Primary, Master, then come back, it could be this, i had a similar problem not long ago with a compaq trying to install 2000 Prof over Win 98, it did'nt like it, have you, or can you format your drive!

Mark

- Collapse -
It is primary master
by PizzaGuy Apr 12, 2005 1:35AM PDT

The HD is set at primary master. I am using this HD in my old pc and since the old pc is too slow that I bought this used Compaq. I thought it will work if I just plug the HD into the new one. I can format the HD and install windows again if it is necessary, I am just too lazy to install everything back to it. Beside I am not sure whether I will get the same error after the re-installation. If things still do not work out then I have to give it a try. But it will be my last resort.

Back to PC Hardware forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info