At this point, you probably don't have a Linux problem but a Windows problem and this forum is not the best source for a answer, but don't go away, others Linux users may need what follows.

Google for the exact phrase or the key words and you should find multiple answers. Read a few and what is common is usually a good answer.

If you prefer, could you post the exact phrase here so that I can Google it or a subset of the words, and then explain the details

My current guess is that Windows is looking for the MBR, a low level partitioned hard drive (not a Linux or NT partition), or free space on the drive in the lower sectors, neither of which should be missing. However if that is the case, you will need to get a hard drive manufacturers software to low level format the drive.

I take it that you have two machines. One you are fixing and one for posting?

A more creative answer:

Keep Debian and learn to use it. Install a Virtualization program (eg VirtualBox), and install Windows there.

(Have cake and eat it too.....)

I have a Debian i386 cd and I cant get into termianal. Where shall I press ctrl-alt-F1 or F2? Sorry for my noobish questions.

Yes Chris, you are probably right about this is turning into a windows problem but since Im a nabb Im having trouble with everything.
Im swedish and the installation are on swedish so I cant really post the exact phrase.

You said that I need some sort of manufacturer software, shall I enter the harddrives homepage and look for something there?

Yep, I have 2 comps.

So you can boot from the Win2k CD? It's been a little while since I have used Win2k but I think you can follow the steps to do a new installation, and from there delete all existing partitions, create a new ntfs partition and install windows on it.

Sorry I didn't see your reply to now, just learning how to use the forums here.

Before looking for more software, we need to either identify the exact problem from windows and fix that, or treat this as using a hard drive from somewhere with an unknown structure. Since the error is in Swedish, we only need the key words in the error, for the connectives.

Since both options are not destructive, please post the key words from the error and I'll look for a answer, and figure out the manufacturer of the hard drive so you can download the hard drive configuration programm and reformat the hard drive from scratch.

Since windows doesn't even see a Hard drive it may be a driver issue for Windows.. It would depend on what controller the Hard drive is connected to, and whether or not Windows recognizes that controller. Keep in mind Windows 2000 is rather old and will not recognize many of the Disk controllers we think of as standard..

Is the Disk IDE or SATA ?
Is it connected to a Standard controller or a RAID controller ?

You may need to .

1. Boot the windows 2000 Server install CD
2. Hit F6 when prompted to use third party Drivers
3. Insert a Floppy into the PC containing the Windows 2000 Drivers for your Disk Controller (Don't ask me why MS REQUIRES a floppy here)
4. Complete Windows install as normal.


Keep in mind 'Out of the Box', Windows hardware support is very pathetic.. It needs manual driver installation for just about everything.

I can boot from win 2k cd but when Im supposed to press enter to start installation or press "r" to enter repair console, the error msg comes and sais that it cant find my harddrives.

At this point Im trying to do what Pixellany told me to do:
Keep Debian and learn to use it. Install a Virtualization program (eg VirtualBox), and install Windows there.

(Have cake and eat it too.....)

If this wont work I will try to do the other things you guys are telling me to do...

Thanks alot guys!

For the record:

One point has become a bit muddied---i.e. The Windows installer will typically see non-windows stuff and assume it is a bad disk. Simply erasing the first 63 sectors **should** fix it. (some people would shotgun it and erase the whole drive).

There are MANY utilities out there for erasing a hard drive---there is no need for the manufacturer's routines.

This said, I really like OP's latest strategy......Naturally, this has nothing to do with it being my suggestion......

I agree that using Virtual Machines is probably your best option. I have over 30 created virtual machines and can't count how many I have created/destroyed while testing things.

If you have not set up a virtual machine before, you may run into hard problems run compiling modules for the kernel. Just hang with it and will be a just reward.

Now I have installed Debian again and im going to setup a virtual machine wich I never have done before. Can some of you please link me a page or just describe how to do it?

I just checked if my CPU supports hardware virtualization and it seems as it dont. What can I do?

Use Virtual Box from Sun. http://www.virtualbox.org/ it's free and popular with people on this site, so you will get support here!!!

Until several months ago VMware was the best choice, but that cost about $200. Both are fairly simular so, each is a valid option, but one is free and has free support.

Learn a little about virtual machines by reading the site intro before jumping in. http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Virtualization

Both Virtual Box and VMware run on either Windows or Linux as a base machine, and have install wizards for installing guest OS, which is the only way you should create machines until you know the details. If you are unsure of an answer in the wizard take the default. Also, don't worry about making mistakes, the machines are just files that can be deleted if you make a mistake.

Until you feel comfortable with the virtual machines, don't put any thing you don't want lost in them. That way when you need to delete a machine, you don't have to think "Did I put something in there I need.", just delete it.

Life is better with virtual machines.

Don't worry about hardware virtualization support, it basically means the base and virtual machines run faster because some of the load is moved from the software to the hardware. Install the software and if it works to your satisfaction, keep on going.

None of my machines have the hardware virtualization support and they all run virtual machines. Remember VMware has been on PCs for about 10 years and the hardware virtualization support for PCs only came out a few years ago.

From wikipedia:
With hardware-assisted virtualization, the VMM can efficiently virtualize the entire x86 instruction set by handling these sensitive instructions using a classic trap-and-emulate model in hardware, as opposed to software.

For details see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardwar...virtualization

VirtualBox may be available using the Debian Package Manager..

You do not need "hardware virtualization" support in the CPU---it simply makes the virtual machine run a bit faster.

THAT is debateable--at least without some sort of qualification.....If you are using a VM to evaluate distros, the speed penalty can give you the wrong impression. I see my main usage to be a Win2K installation so that I can update my GPS without rebooting. (The GPS is the only remaining need I have for Windows.)

Kudos again to Ricco for sticking with it!!