Hey fsr7860 I have the same model Alienware as you and the same problem! I've been reading your posts and I also really need to re-install Windows XP but setup can't find the hard drives! I know my hard drive isn't busted because I'm talking to you right now (plus running error checks comes up with nothing.
Please, please let me/us know what you find, if your technician gives you a set of drivers would you mind releasing them online for rest of the guys that have this problem?
hey guys, i also have the same model, was infected with virus, got replacement HDD (under warranty) so it was free, and have had troubles reinstalling windows.
i am still currently working on the installation process cause i continue to run into small snags here and there. first of all, you need to get a floppy disk, an external floppy drive, and another computer (for files transfer and stuff).
once you have all that, go to alienware.com > support > drivers and downloads. ignore all those fields and just hit search. scroll down until you find "M5700 VIA RAID Tool 5.1.2600.430". download that.
once downloaded, copy over all the files from the DrvDisk folder onto your floppy disk. put the disk in ur external floppy drive, connect 2 the m5700, and boot up from set-up/recovery CD. once started, press f6 when prompted at the bottom. wait. screen will come up and you will ahve to press the "s" key. once done, choose the correct driver (depending on your OPS). hit enter, then select it, hit enter and the set-up should begin.
now since i have done that i have ran into several snags about missing files and my computer freezing, but so far, that is what is required to get it to work.
will update post when i get something new or this for some reason doesnt work later down the road
other option is to change sata in bios to ide or legacy so don't need floppy drive. did that on a customer's laptop with a replacement 120gig sata drive that bios sees but windows wouldn/t even with floppy drive & files.
In that case you have running windoze on a small ide drive which you use to install dozey xp.. plus any necessary sata drivers to the new hdd.. changing back in the bios to the right boot device and sata setup when you take the small drive out.
still could never possibly recommend alienware to anybody.. last one I saw was at least £300 over the list price for the actual hardware used.
Originally posted by varnull: In that case you have running windoze on a small ide drive which you use to install dozey xp.. plus any necessary sata drivers to the new hdd.. changing back in the bios to the right boot device and sata setup when you take the small drive out.
still could never possibly recommend alienware to anybody.. last one I saw was at least £300 over the list price for the actual hardware used.
i just like the laptop cases they have, its to bad you cant build your own laptop like you can with a desktop. it would be the end of overpriced laptops as we know it.
if you where replying to me i was simply stating that what ddp said would work but at the loss of SATA transfer rates its all about the RPM's.
