Problems with installing WinXP 64 on a 150GB WD Raptor with an ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe

Hi,

I have the following configuration (I will include only the parts that are of interest for my problem):

AMD FX-55
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe - latest BIOS v1016
WD RAPTOR 150GB (SATA)
and another 4 HDDs

I had WinXP 64 installed on my Maxtor 60 GB IDE drive and it was running pefect for 2 years without any format until I decided to install WinXP 64 on the SATA RAPTOR drive in order to make my system run faster; that's when the nightmare started.

I have disconnected from my system all of my HDDs and have left only the Raptor on and the DVD drive. I have the Raptor connected to the 1st SATA slot of the nVidia controller of the mobo (not the secondary Silicon Image SATA controller).

I run Windows setup, when asked I press F6 and I install the following drivers:

1. nVidia Raid Class Driver
2. nVidia nForce Storage Controller

I install the drivers and then the CD copies the setup files to the RAPTOR as normal. When it restarts in order to continue with the setup I always get the same message: error loading operating system.


1. I have created the floppy disk from a friend's ASUS mobo CD who has the same mobo as me but he bought it later than me so it included the WinXP 64 drivers.
2. I installed to my friend's PC WinXP 64 on a SATA drive with no problems at all exactly 1 week ago using the exact same process and drivers and the exact same Windows CD that I am using now.
3. My friend as I said has the same mobo as me but we used a Maxtor SATA HDD in his case.

Things that I have tried so far:

1. I have updated the files of the SATA floppy with the latest nvidia files from the nVidia driver: 6.86_nforce_winxp64_international_whql.exe. I took the files from the following directories of the driver:
1. \IDE\WinXP\sata_ide
2. \IDE\WinXP\sataraid

2. I have enabled NVRaid in the BIOS along with the SATA port the drive is pluged into
3. I have tried installation with the BIOS on default settings
4. I have tried the installation after checking in the BIOS that the BOOT sequence is correct with regards to the devices
4. I have tried installing everything without the SATA floppy drivers


Can someone please suggest something if he/she has come across to a similar problem? I have been through various forums and tried all suggestions I could find but with no success and considering that I did the installation for my friend a week ago with almost the same configuration I cannot understand what is the problem. This ideally should be straightforward, I'm only talking about installing Windows on a single SATA drive for crying out loud!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

 

Re: Problems with installing WinXP 64 on a 150GB WD Raptor with an ASUS A8N-SLI Delux

Nothing at all?