SATA2 Drivers problem.

Here goes;

Im making my first pc build, or rather made it.

So I open the BIOS ..

SATA CD/DVD drive.

SATA2 Harddrive.

I insert the Vista Home Premium 64bit (OEM) and it wont detect my hard drive.

Problem: Seems I need the drivers, or rather a "Driver Boot Disk" ?

I have the motherboard CD etc. The build is;

Gigabyte GA-EP35C-DS3R
Intel Core2Quad Q8300
4GB Cosair XMS 2 (800)
LG SATA CD/DVD Writer(Working .. So far)
Seagate Barracuda 500gb SATA2(Not working ?)
Nvidia9800GT 1024GB
Antec Sonata III
2x120mm Fan(Antec Tri-cool)

Please note;

No Floppy Disk.
No Card Reader.
SINGLE Disk Drive.

Any idea how I can get this to work?

And most of all, thankyou in advance.

 

(How do I edit?)

Erm .. PS. Or rather if anyone has any exp in setting up windows whos willing to help out a noob

 

You do not need a "Driver Boot Disk" for Vista. Vista has built-in support for SATA drives. Check the system BIOS and make sure the drive is recognized correctly, and make sure the SATA channels are all enabled, and make sure the hard drive is connected to the 1st SATA port; some motherboards label the 1st SATA port as "SATA0" and some label it as "SATA1". Check the motherboard manual for info on how to access the BIOS and how to check the settings I've mentioned....

 

I was just thinking, after you enter the Product Key, you should get a window with the list of available installed hard drives. Try clicking on "Drive Options (Advanced)" and your drive should then be listed if you checked everything I mentioned above and it's all OK.

(Screen shot attached below)

Here's a link to an easy-to-follow install guide for Vista: http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/installnewhdd/part1.htm

:-D

I almost forgot.. . . . . .. . WELCOME TO MAJOR GEEKS!! :wave :major

 

Ive tried every SATA port on my MB, Yellow(Intel) Purple(Gigabyte)
Both 0,1,2,3,4..
And Gigabyte 0,1..

My booklet tells me I dont need to use a specific one, but I do need to load drivers onto a floppy via DOS(or run, cmd) and boot to floppy. So I think my alternative to a CD-Rom Boot?

So im at a loss, as I have no Floppy Drive(Cant get one anywhere >.<)

About the BIOS settings. My hard drive is detected how the book had told me to set it.

Thanks for the help mate, I'll keep trying .. Gotta get it eventually.

Note: The installation page to "Select Drive" is the one thats giving me greif!

 

This is usually required for WinXP. I have installed Vista on many, MANY new SATA hard drives and I have NEVER needed a driver disk for Vista to recognize the hard drive. But if it is required, you can copy the needed files to a CD and use that. Alternatively, you can use a 3rd party utility to format the drive first, then boot to the Vista install disc and go from there. Here's some utilities that can partition and format the drive for you:
Partition Logic (freeware)
Super FDisk (freeware)
Boot-IT (says shareware, but the 'demo' version has full functionality)
Also, your hard drive manufacturer's web site will have a utility to format and configure your hard drive. All the above utilities will create a bootable floppy or CD. Boot to it and you'll be able to format the drive. Then boot to the Vista disc and it should recognize the drive and you're off and running.

You didn't say if you tried any of the things I mentioned above:

I just downloaded the RAID/SATA files for the "Driver Boot Disk" you mentioned. I got 'em from the Gigabyte web site where they clearly state "for non-VISTA operating systems". Anyway- I unzipped the download and it appears that you can easily just burn the files to a CD and use it during the install process if needed. I have attached the files below.... GOOD LUCK!