Hello, I recently formatted my hard drive on this Sony PCG-R505GL Laptop. Everything was going fine, I created the new partition but now when I try to install Windows XP on the partition it keeps failing saying the disk is curropt, which I know it isn't. I beilve the problem is the CD-ROM/DVD is not reading the disk because I do not even hear it spinning. Is there anyway to install Windows without using the CD-ROM, like floppy? I don't know what to do, please help

Thanks in advance,
Omen

Are you using the format option when trying to install?

How to Format Drive and Install Windows from Scratch
Geek to Live: How to format your hard drive and install Windows XP from scratch - Feature - Lifehacker (http://lifehacker.com/software/windows/geek-to-live-how-to-format-your-hard-drive-and-install-windows-xp-from-scratch-157578.php)

Right now I am at the DOS screen where it shows Windows XP Professional Setup and it shows my partitions. I created a new partition by hitting the "c" key, then I hit enter to try and install Windows and I wait that whole long period until it gets to 100% and then it says it fails, because the disk is corrupt. I do not believe the disk is corrupt and I also do not hear the CD-ROM spinning at all during the installation process.

Are you booting the laptop with the xp cd?

Yes

Frist question or none of this will work, is this just an XP disk that you have or is this a disk that came with it

Many laptops have SATA hard drives and if you don't have SATA drivers avail or integrated with your version of XP there, XP will not recognize the drie

If niot sure, try below and then have to go from there





By pressing C you created a partition
-Now the drive needs to formatted (you did create the partition but you can't do anything until you format the drive)

So reboot with the CD and follow screenshots below
Go down till you see
Format Hard disk and Install Windows Operating System
How to Format Hard Drive and Install Windows Operating System (http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Format-Hard-Drive-and-Install-Windows-Operating-System)

And also steps are listed here as well - go down till you see
Formatting and Installing from the Windows XP CD
http://www.wiki-how-to.com/articles/28/1/How-to-format-a-Hard-Drive-and-Install-Windows/Page1.html


Between those 2 links you should be OK

I am doing all of that fine. It is when I get to the format part that the problems occurs. You know how it says Setup is formatting, then goes to 100%? Well once I wait the long period and it finally gets to 100%, I get the error that says, "Setup was unable to format the parition. The disk may b e damaged. Make sure the drive is switched on and properly connected to your computer. If the disk is a SCSI disk, make sure your SCSI devices are properly terminated. Consult your computer manual or SCSI adapter documentation for more information." Then says You must select a different partition for Windows XP. To continue, press ENTER.

As mentioned above, you would need to install SATA drivers for the laptop and/or get a version of XP that has SATA driver integrated into the installation disk

Did the laptop not come with recovery disks?

Some laptops have the recovery files on a hidden partition on the hard drive.

Try another windows XP cd. If still the same you might need to run a hard drive test. Call sony tech support for further info

This is not a SATA drivers problem because the partions will not appeared and windows will not let you continue with the installation specifically stating so.

1. You hard drive has bad sectors or is not working anymore. Try diving the hard drive in two partions and installating the operating system in one and then in the other. If your hard drive is making a lot of noise it is most likely a bad hard drive.

2. Your CD-ROM is bad or your installation disk. Most likely your installation disk.

I bet the hard drive is bad.