Author Topic: More from the \"PLEASE HELP!!!!\" issue (Read 9610 times)

Nightshade · « **on:** November 20, 2003, 08:32:16 PM »

Alright, so I got my hands on a 98 boot disk, fdisked both hard drives, and set up new FAT partitions. The XPpro install *still* wouldn't work. Just for kicks, I tried installing 98se. Lo and behold, it works. I've got everything back to the base functions - but I want to get my old system back. Any ideas what might be wrong and/or suggestions as to how I might fix it?

ZWarrior · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2003, 10:37:36 PM »

hmm, what exactly happens when you try to install XP?

Nightshade · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2003, 01:07:03 PM »

From windows, it copies the XP setup files. Then it restarts and loads the setup screen/files. It freezes, though, at the "Setup is loading Windows" screen (Where it would ordinarily load the partition manager/format screen.)

Morpheus · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2003, 03:32:39 PM »

what are the machine specs?
are you using a legal version of XP? Corporate or Private?
Full or Upgrade?

How are your hard drive(s) setup (primary channel, secondary channel or raid, and master or slave) also cd/dvd/cdrw/dvdrw setup?

What brand hard drive(s)

That will help us troubleshoot it.

ZWarrior · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2003, 04:04:12 PM »

It is also possible that you need to load the controller drivers as the setup starts.

Depends on your answers to Morpheus.

Boomslang · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2003, 04:52:49 PM »

If he got 98 up and running put in the xp disk and do an upgrade

Nightshade · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2003, 06:29:49 PM »

Boomslang:
Upgrades don't work b/c they still restart/reload the setup screen that freezes.

Morpheus:
The disks are XPpro...And I did check to make sure it wasn't the disks that were the issue. At the time everything went downhill, it was a full install. And the OS was, er.."Acquired" from a source other than microsoft...In anticipation: Yeah, the source is reliable.

My specs are:

Mainboard MoBo (533 bus, I believe, though I don't remember for sure and the doc's are at home (I'm at school)) w/ onboard sound and LAN

AthlonXP 2200+

256 megs DDR RAM

ATI 9200 Radeon
(These were all bought new in August along with a power supply and case)

Maxtor 20 gig HD Primary Master
WD 6 gig HD Primary Slave

Creative CDRW Secondary Master

ZWarrior:
How would I go about doing that?

Thanks, all.

Boomslang · « **Reply #7 on:** November 23, 2003, 12:36:44 AM »

Sounds like the disk is corrupt. If the motherboard has Raid and the h/d's are pluged into it you need to install the drivers for raid first at the time of the install. If you don't have Raid it sounds like the disk is corrupt. What do you think ZW? Oh by the way it's 60 here, cold for this time of year:lol

Nightshade · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2003, 02:53:26 PM »

The XP disk or the Hard Drive?
(I've checked the XP disk on my roomate's machine and it works fine)

Boomslang · « **Reply #9 on:** November 24, 2003, 12:22:25 AM »

The xp disk. Did you install it on you roommates? Or just see if the install screen came up. Do you have Raid? If you do move the ide cable off the Raid controller. If you don't have raid Move your slave off that cable and check your jumpers on the master H/D make sure it is set for a single drive. I think the copy of the XP disk is bad or badly scratched.
If it did install on your friends computer in has to be a hardware issue.

Morpheus · « **Reply #10 on:** November 24, 2003, 10:27:42 AM »

ok hmmm...

What brand of computer...maybe some propietary drivers are necessary, but I doubt it.

If you are using a USB mouse or keyboard, don't for the install, go with PS/2. Also check your bios to make sure that legacy support for USB or support for USB keyboard or mouse are turned off.

check out this knowledge base article

have the hard drives you are using ever been used with special partitioning software (used to have to do that with older pc's cause they couldn't handle large hard drives, I can't remember exactly what they were called) If so, you may need a removal tool, even after formatting because they leave stuff in the MBR.

Nightshade · « **Reply #11 on:** November 24, 2003, 12:01:25 PM »

Boomslang -
I didn't install it on his machine, but his machine does pull up the screens to manage partitions and format the drives. I don't use RAID.

Morpheus -
The drives were never touched by a 3rd party partition manager. It could be the MBR that's jacking things up though...So where would I find a tool to format that? As a side note, this isn't the first time I've installed XP on these drives.
Also, I'm already using a PS/2 mouse keyboard.
And finaly...Brand of computer? If you mean Dell, Compaq, etc., I built it myself (With a little help from a friend)

Thanks again.

ZWarrior · « **Reply #12 on:** November 24, 2003, 12:49:07 PM »

For professional reasons I can't do much support on the OS. (You gave too much info above, and I am a M$ Partner, thus I can't risk it.) However your hardware questions I do have answers for.

low leve format of drives:

WD: http://www.ameriwebs.net/groupworks/george/western.htm

Maxtor: http://www.ameriwebs.net/groupworks/george/maxtor.htm

Generic page: http://www.disk-utility.com/hard-disk-low-level-format.html

Morpheus · « **Reply #13 on:** November 24, 2003, 01:01:48 PM »

very interesting

Ok that rules out most ideas that I have. You say XP has been loaded on these drives in the past so now my question is what have you changed since you loaded it on these drives? That will help narrow down potential problems.

Nightshade · « **Reply #14 on:** November 24, 2003, 01:27:26 PM »

ZW -
Thanks for the sites. I'll give it a shot as soon as I've finished off any computer-related schoolwork due for tomorrow.

Morpheus -
That's what really threw me for a loop on this whole thing. I've pulled down a lot of data on P2P sources. My first thought was that this is virus related - But AVG used to run a check every night. Also, now that I've got an OS back, I've run AVG, Norton, and McCafee and none of them have picked up anything.

Thanks again.

By the way, I've noted a certain UT theme for the forums...Do you set up matches with any regularity?

opiesilver · « **Reply #15 on:** November 24, 2003, 02:23:48 PM »

*sniff, sniff*

I smell fresh meat.

So you play UT do you?

Nightshade · « **Reply #16 on:** November 24, 2003, 03:46:34 PM »

I've been none to sling a pistol or two.

Nightshade · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2003, 03:48:22 PM »

Known, even.

opiesilver · « **Reply #18 on:** November 24, 2003, 03:57:45 PM »

You can start by going to the server below and practicing. If you can keep your own on that server then maybe you would stand a chance against us.

unreal://69.56.208.39:7777/

Nightshade · « **Reply #19 on:** November 24, 2003, 05:17:25 PM »

UT2003, I assume?

opiesilver · « **Reply #20 on:** November 24, 2003, 06:42:48 PM »

nope, original

Boomslang · « **Reply #21 on:** November 25, 2003, 12:19:18 AM »

Just because the boot screen comes up means the the xp disk is ok I would try a dirrerent disk and you the same cd nunber. Do you live in Omaha?

ZWarrior · « **Reply #22 on:** November 25, 2003, 04:38:57 PM »

Ut/UT2K3: Yes, we are one of the leading clans in eastern Nebraska. Been known to beat the best once in a while.

WinXP: Funny thing happened last night. I had almost the same experience you are having when I reloaded my system. (Upgraded) Well, it was extremely slow about even getting past the detection statement. It was over 5 minutes to get to the first blue screen, and then it said that it couldn't locate a drive to install to.

Looked a bit at the system, and then pulled the "master" jumper of the only active HD in the system. It flew on the next attempt. perhaps this was part of your issue?

opiesilver · « **Reply #23 on:** November 25, 2003, 05:03:59 PM »

Somewhere I read that XP really likes drives when in CS mode. What speed is the drive bus? ATA-133, ATA-33, 66, 100?

ZWarrior · « **Reply #24 on:** November 25, 2003, 05:30:28 PM »

Me? ATA-133.

I'm more than willing to show you tonight!

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Author Topic: More from the \"PLEASE HELP!!!!\" issue (Read 9610 times)