I got a computer that will not boot up os. When i used the xp boot disc for it it says it loads file then it tells me that there is no hard drive detected. When i go into the bios screen i do a hard drive test and it passes. the computer is and hp dv1000. hd= momentous 5400.2. 1.8 pent. also note that at startup i can only change boot order(esc) or go into the bios, which does not let me partition the hard drive. I think the hard drive may have been wiped when given to me because i saw it running the day before. thanks for the help.

Hi Flamed - Welcome to PCHF!!

Have you checked all the cables on the hard drive are connected properly. If not try that. You say that in BIOS you can see the hard drive - but then Windows XP installation can't. What is the exact error message your are receiving.

Try doing the following instead. Boot the XP disc as per normal. When you get the first screen - you will see the option "Press R to repair a windows installation using recovery console. Press R. You may be prompted which windows installation you want to log onto - this is usually 1. You will prompted to enter the administrator password - this is usually blank.

When you get the prompt type the following: format c: /fs:ntfs

This will format the hard drive. If you get any errors when trying to do this please post back - with detailed information about the error.

All the cables are good. when i try to repair windows it tells me there are no hard drives detected. Also I got a program yesterday called windows recovery. It booted up the computer with their os on the disc. It tells me that there are no partitions on the hard. I cant type anything after the first screen. I was thinking that the hard drive was wiped and all files are gone so it is a totally blank drive. Is there a way to install dos maybe or something like it? your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Are you using a wireless keyboard? If so you will need to borrow a wired keyboard from a friend if you don't have one.

Then try what I posted above. Also what models are the motherboard and hard drive.

Hi I think this is an issue with the sata driver for that laptop you can't download them at HP's site I can't find them but others have been disabling the sata support which is enabled in the bios to get around this issue

I dont have a wireless key board. I talked to the guy i got it from he said he did use a drive cleaner. it wasnt killdisc though. I have tried another xp disc bit nothing happened. I dont know the spacifics about the computer since i havent been able to boot it up. I looked on line and there not alot about the computer specs. It is a hp Pavilion dv1000. If any one knows the specs that could help? thanks for the help people.