"Setup Cannot Access This Disk" Error Message During Windows 2000 Installation (305538)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
This article was previously published under Q305538

SYMPTOMS

During a Windows 2000 installation, you may receive the following error message immediately after you agree to the terms of the license agreement:
Setup cannot access this disk.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if the disk controller cannot communicate effectively with the hard disk for any of the following reasons:
  • The hard disk is damaged.
  • The disk controller is damaged.
  • The computer does not have the correct driver installed for the disk controller.
  • You are using a backplane (a circuit board that supports devices) and there is a problem with the hardware on either side of the backplane.
  • There is a bad termination on the Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) chain.
  • There is a hardware compatibility issue with Windows 2000.
The likeliest cause is a bad hard disk.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, make sure that the hard disk, the disk controller, and any intervening hardware all function correctly and are compatible with Windows 2000. Also, make sure that the correct driver is installed for the disk controller.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/19/2003
Keywords:kbprb kbsetup KB305538
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