Windows 10 installation - disk controller disabled in bios

[Rob91]

I have created an USB with Windows 10 to Restore my system. However, after formatting the disk i am unable to install the os due to an "inactive disk controller".

Reformatting or setting MBR will not solve the issue.

[mdklassen]

> However, after formatting the disk i am unable to install the os due to an "inactive disk controller".

> Reformatting or setting MBR will not solve the issue.

It's strange that the "inactive" disk-controller is still working, such that you can re-format and/or reset the MBR, but not working well-enough to install anything.

Enter BIOS SETUP, and look through the various menus, looking for "enable/disable" settings for various components, especially a disk-controller (there may be more than one disk-controller).

[Rob91]

Many Thanks Mdklassen, for your report.

The HP bios doesn't seem to list the disk controller specifically. Could it be referred to differently?

I have restored factory settings for the bios as well (but no luck).

Thanks

[mdklassen]

> The HP BIOS doesn't seem to list the disk controller specifically. Could it be referred to differently?

Yes, it could.

Can you post a list of the components that have the "enable/disable" option?

From that list, I can eliminate the components that are NOT related to a "disk-controller".

[Rob91]

sure thing

I believe the following link shows the full set of options found in HP's bios: https://support.hp.com/id-en/document/c02000720

Hope this helps.

Thanks

[mdklassen]

It does help.  Under "System Security":

Allows you to set Device Available/Device Hidden for:

• Serial ports
• Parallel port
• System audio
• Network controllers (some models)
• Embedded security device (some models)
• SATA0
• SATA1 (some models)
• SATA2 (some models)
• SATA3 (some models)
• eSATA (some models)

Does "hidden" (here) mean the same as "disabled" (in the Windows error-message) ?

[Rob91]

They all say the same unfotunately: "Available". Windows is specifically mentioning "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu"

Here you can see all specifics, including the exact BIOS options.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-compaq-dc7800-ultra-slim-desktop-pc/3459242/manuals

I should remark: the BIOS was never updated before. Could it be as simple as that (provided I have deleted the standard OS recovery partition, and now wish to install the new OS via USB)? The hardware, including HDD, have not been altered. The standard BIOS updates are available as executable only, and therefore don't allow for installation.

[mdklassen]

> The standard BIOS updates are available as executable only, and therefore don't allow for installation.

If you run one of those executables, it may "unzip" a few files into a folder. 

Those files are used to to update the BIOS.

From:  http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01184572

Single Drive AHCI Configuration

To take advantage of single drive AHCI support, a change is required in F10 setup.

To run a single drive configuration on HP Compaq dc7800 Business PCs in AHCI mode:

1. Turn on or restart the computer by clicking Start > Shut Down > Restart the Computer.

2. Press F10 as soon as the monitor light turns green.

If you do not press F10 at the appropriate time, you must restart the computer, and then press F10

again to access the utility.

3. Select your language from the list, and then press Enter.

4. Use the arrow keys to select Storage.

5. Use the down arrow key to select Storage Options, and then press Enter.

6. Change SATA Emulation from IDE to RAID.

NOTE: Make sure the Intel Matrix Storage driver is loaded in the SW image prior to making the F10

setup change. The operating system will not boot without this driver. The dc7800 factory SW image

already contains this driver. This driver is also provided as a softpaq at www.hp.com.

Single Drive AHCI Configurations are supported on the dc7800 SFF and dc7800 CMT products.

This *MIGHT* help.

[Rob91]

Great, thanks for the information.
I will see to it this evening.

Do you know of a place where these files are available "unzipped"? Currently I am settling with only a spare MacBook that will not handle these executables.

Can't remember this being an issue ever on consumer market computers.

[mdklassen]

> Do you know of a place where these files are available "unzipped"?

> Currently I am settling with only a spare MacBook that will not handle these executables.

Any Windows PC running Windows 7/8/10 will be be able to "unzip" the files.

Copy the files to a USB memory-stick.

Find a local Public Library (or "Internet Cafe") with accessible computers, or find a friend with a Windows computer.

Insert the memory-stick. 

Right-mouse-button-click on each '.zip' file, and choose 'Extract All', to create a folder on the USB memory-stick, to ontain the "unzipped" files.

Remove the memory-stick.

Leave the Library/Cafe.