Laptop Hard Drive Problem

[thestalkmore]

Decided to reformat my laptop's HD because it was riddled with spyware and viruses. None of the recovery disks I used could recognize the HD (said it didn't exist even though I could boot to safe mode fine). I finally formatted it through DOS and when I try to install xp/vista off of a DVD it says that my HD doesnt exist even though bios can run a diagnostic on it. Any ideas?

[testdummy]

If its a SATA drive you may need to set the hdd to a legacy/compatibility mode in bios for the xp/vista install discs to see it. Can always change it back after you're done.

[Jefe]

^Yup, sounds like it can't load the drivers for your hdd, and thus get the error. I think the BIOS setting is under sys config --> SATA support

[fishstix]

A good time to go to 7!

[thestalkmore]

I was originally trying to go to 7, but that provided even more problems, as 7 has some install bug that asks for cdrom drivers even on a USB install. I'll try what you guys suggested, thanks.

[thestalkmore]

No "SATA support" option anywhere in BIOS.