LM asks: Hi Gord. I absolutely HATE Windows Vista that came pre-installed on my computer. I’ve been trying to format the hard drive and replace it with a copy of Windows XP I have, but the XP set-up can’t find and recognize my SATA hard drive. What’s the problem here?
My reply: If you use a SATA Hard Drive in Raid mode (non IDE mode) when you are installing the Windows XP Operating System, you have to copy the proper driver to a floppy disk (1.44M FDD) from the Drivers section on your Motherboard OEM CD. If you don’t have a floppy drive it can be done using a USB thumb drive instead. Just replace USB for FDD in the set-up process below. If you don’t have the OEM Driver Disk, go to the Motherboard Manufacturers website to find the right RAID/SATA driver for your Motherboard and then copy it to the FDD or USB drive.
If you do have the OEM driver disk, you can usually find the proper drivers as follows:
> If your Mobo has the SiS Chipset South Bridge is SIS96x, then copy it from \RAID\SiS\FloppyImage\96x
> If your Mobo has the VIA chipset, then copy the driver from \Raid\VIA\Driverdisk
> If your Mobo South Bridge has the ATI chipset, then copy the driver from \RAID\ATI\FloppyImage
> If your Mobo South Bridge has the ULi chipset, then copy the driver from \RAID\ULi\M5287
Then follow these directions:
1. Boot from your Windows XP Operating System CD (you may have to set your BIOS to boot from CD). When you see the first installation screen (blue), simply press F6 to install the Raid driver by FDD later during the process (you’ll see a prompt for this).
2. The installation screen will appear on the Windows Setup screen to let you specify an additional device driver. You then press “S” and put the driver disk into FDD >>> Enter.
3. Choose the right RAID Controller for Windows XP >>> Enter >>> Enter.
4. Then Windows XP will copy the SATA RAID Driver before entering Windows XP HDD Partitioning screen.
5. Your SATA HDD should then be available for installation.
6. Then follow the regular Windows XP installation procedure to install the OS.
November 14th, 2008
Posted by
DoC |
Computer Frustrations, Computer Maintenance, DIY (Do It Yourself), Hardware, SATA hard-drive, Techie Tips from Gord, Windows XP, hard drive |
no comments
BB asks: Gord - I think that firewall on my home computer is causing me grief. My daughter sent me some articles to my work computer and I forwarded them to home to read there. But my home computer won’t allow me to open and read them.
When I want to read her emails and view the attachments, I have to disable the firewall and it resets itself when I reboot I guess.
My question is, how to take the firewall off permanently? She will be home tonight and could probably do it for me. And, won’t the Norton protect me at home the same as it does at work?
My reply: This is a simple fix. In Outlook Express goto >>> tools >>> options >>> security & uncheck the little box that says “do not allow attachments to be opened that may potentially be dangerous files”, etc.
This isn’t a firewall issue it’s an Outlook Express problem. Your anti-virus software will protect you from dangerous files, so unchecking this option isn’t dangerous with your security set-up. Hope this helps.
November 12th, 2008
Posted by
DoC |
Attachments, Computer Frustrations, Computer Security, Email, Outlook Express |
no comments
DR asks: Hi Gord. One of my correspondents sends files with attached pictures in .gif type. When I try to open the picture, Microsoft XP says it doesn’t recognize file type. Is there anything I can do at my end to open these files?
My reply: Open the email and click on “File” … “Save Attachments” - save to your desktop so it’s easy to find. Now close the email, goto your desktop, right-click the .gif file and choose “Open With”. If either “Windows Picture & Fax Viewer” or “Internet Explorer” are on the list choose one of them. The file will then open. If they’re not on the list, choose select “Choose Program”. A list of programs will pop-up, then choose “Windows Picture & Fax Viewer”. I’d also recommend checking the little box that says “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file”.
November 10th, 2008
Posted by
DoC |
.gif, Attachments, Computer Frustrations, Email, Folder views, Internet Explorer, My Pictures, Photos, Picture & Fax Viewer, Viewing files, Windows XP |
no comments
GH asks: I cannot print! When I try it says Communication Not Available. Printer cannot communicate with the computer. I have checked the connections and they seem o.k. What now?
My reply: Try shutting the printer and the computer off for a few minutes then turn the printer back on first, then boot up the computer and try to print again … let me know what happens.
GH replies next day: Thank you Gord, it is working now, have a good couple of days off.
November 9th, 2008
Posted by
DoC |
Computer Frustrations, Hardware, Printers |
no comments
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