Hi,
Another option (which worked for me) was to change settings in BIOS as per indulis suggestion.
But instead of configuring sata drive to look like an IDE device, I changed mine to AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface)
to get there in my BIOS - Main - Sata configuration {enhanced}
Kubuntu 7.10 install cd found it no problems.... I have no idea if that will effect your VISTA install though? perhaps someone with more knowledge can advise further?
fyi my setup P5Q-EM mobo with 2x 750 gig samsung HDD sata's and 1x bluray on sata (sda on sata 1, sdb on sata 2, and bluray on sata 3, nothing else connected to mobo)
Hope this helps