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HDD or Windows Error?

C

CoRPS

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Messages
1,389
Alright, I'm not sure where this should have gone, Operating Systems or the Storage forum. So, I think I'll post it here. Anyway, on to the problem at hand.

Friday, I bought 3*60GB Maxtor HardDrives from CompUSA. I then installed them into my PC and tried to install Windows. Windows XP Pro to be more precise. Anyway, I get to the part in the beginning of installation where the CD copies the installation files it needs, and then reboots. Well, when it reboots it says "Boot From CD : Press any key to boot from CD". If I press something, the installation starts all over again. If I don't, it says "Error loading operating system."

Is this a Hard Drive problem, or a Windows CD problem? I've tried to install on two of the three drives without sucess. The third is still in the box. What would you say the problem is?
 
That doesn't sound too much like a HDD problem unless both those harddrives have badsectors. Is that WinXP disc the original or a copy? What it sounds like is that your installation is not finishing.
 
Ofcourse it's original...

*cough* *cough* ***COUGH***

/me doesn't like getting banned
 
Any scratches on the cd? Did you try removing/disabling anything extra devices or drives?

Did you try using a differant CD./DVD drive? Full ntfs format instead of quick? Switching IDE channels?
 
I see small scratches, nothing very deep. I'll unplug my DVD-Rom and put my CD-RW ROM in it's place to se if that works.
 
Ok, Just an update.

I got a new Windows XP Pro CD, and I'm getting the same error. Should my boot setup be like this?

1: CDRom
2: HDD-0
3: Floppy
Boot Other Device: Enabled
 
CoRPS said:
Ofcourse it's original...

*cough* *cough* ***COUGH***

/me doesn't like getting banned
Click to expand...

It's not illegal to burn a second copy of the original disc so you don't have to worry about damaging the original.
 
ok guys, I tried installing windows on the hdd, but using a diff system. My CarPC to be exact. I figured it may be a BIOS setting that is not allowing me to install. Anyway, right after it does the intial load (basically right after it boots from CD) it says:


STOP: c0000221 Unknown Hard Error
\SystemRoot\System32\ntdll.dll


This making any sense to you?
 
Ok guys, I was able to install windows using my CarPC. So, we know it's not the HDD or CD that is giving me the problem. Can anyone take a guess on what I should be checking on my desktop? I used the same ribbon cable out of the CarPC to try to use on the desktop, didn't work. Anyway, any help like always, is greatly appreciated.
 
Try running the CD and the hard drive on seperate IDE channels if they are on the same one right now. Sounds strange, but stranger things have happened.
 
I'm not at home right now, so I can't look at the drive. But, can you tell me a little bit about the 'jumper settings'. I don't know a damn thing about jumpers. Or even what they are. Also, isn't it alittle dangerous to update your BIOS?

I have a DFI Ultra Infinity NF2, any idea where I can find a bios update for it? Also, are we talking software here? or hardware?
 
It's a good thing to update (flash) your BIOS. However it's bad to turn the power off while you flash your BIOS (or firmware). DO NOT TURN OFF THE POWER WHILE FLASHING.
 
lol, Alright, I'll make sure to do it when the skies are clear. (My power in my house goes off often when storms are brewing)
 
No, if you use the specified BIOS for the board you'll be fine. Its kind of like updating drivers in a way, and that doesn't void your warranty either. The BIOS will be located somewhere on DFI's website, probably under the support or downloads section. Make sure you pick the one for your exact motherboard, and follow the instructions closely.
Jumpers are on the back of the hard drive between the power and IDE connectors. They're little blocks that go across the pins to tell the computer whether the hard drive is in the master position (at the end of the cable), or at the slave position (in the middle of the cable with a master on the end). Make sure that you've set the end one to master and the middle one to slave, there should be a diagram on the label on the drive of how the jumpers should be oriented. Sometimes hard drives are shipped in master or single drive configurations, so if you have two drives connected and both are identifying themselves as the master, there could be a problem. You could also set all of your hard drives to Cable Select, which basically lets the computer pick the master at the end and the slave in the middle for itself, but most people just set them definately and don't have to worry about it.
As for your IDE cable, make sure its an 80 conductor cable since you probably have newer hard drives. The older style 40 conductor cables don't support the ATA133 or ATA100 speeds as well, but they're still OK to use for CD and DVD drives and whatnot. an 80 conductor cable will have twice as many little wires in the ribbon, and they'll appear considerably smaller. Also, the connectors are usually color coded, Master at the end is black, slave in the middle is gray, and the blue connector at the other end plugs into the IDE channel in the motherboard (use the primary one for the hard drives, secondary one for CD drives)
 
I've only got one harddrive installed in the computer.
The rest I will have to check tomorrow, since.. I'm semi depressed from this whole thing, and don't feel like pulling out my computer, again.
 
I just remembered something else, make sure you IDE channel is set to DMA transfer mode in the BIOS. Usually its set to automatic or something, just as long as it doesn't say PIO or DISABLED you should be OK
 
Alright uys I've come out out of my laziness state of mind. and I need to figure this out. Should the jumpers on the HDD look like this?


:| :| : . :^


The 2nd column is connected with one of the jumpers, and the last column, first row, has a box like jumper (that word supposed to be there?) on the last pin.

That supposed to be like that? or should it be another way.

Also, I don't see where in my bios it's talking about IDE channels.
 
Huh? What did you want the CD drive to be set as? Master or Slave? You should look on top of the cd drive, there is usually instructions there, a key that tells you which wya to set up your jumper. Usually, it's slotted diagonally.

-J.
 
We're talking about HardDrives here buddy.

And, the diagram is not on the HDD, so I don't know how it should be set.
 
so when the installation finishes and you reboot you get that screen? if it's the same problem i've ran into before, take the windows xp cd out and reboot
 
No no, I get to the part in installation where it copies all the files to the HDD, then reboots. Usually when it reboots it gets to the screen that actually looks like windows and starts installing it. However, when it reboots, I get the errors.
 
Quick question here - does your mobo have onboard RAID? If so, are the drives on the RAID or the IDE channels?
 
Oh man, haha. I'm so tired...

What is your HDD? Like the model, exact model? DiamondMax? 7200 RPM? EIDE? etc?

-J.
 
style_a2.gif


(Master)
The vertical jumper over the J50 pins is configuring the drive as a Master.

(Master with CLJ)
The vertical jumper over the J50 pins is configuring the drive as a Master.
The vertical jumper over the J46 pins is in the Cylinder Limitation position (CLJ).

(Slave)
No jumper is required to configure the drive as a Slave.
The jumper over the J44 and J42 positions is in the jumper storage position.

(Slave with CLJ)
No jumper is required to configure the drive as a Slave.
The jumper over the J44 and J42 positions is in the jumper storage position.
The jumper over the J46 pins is in the Cylinder Limitation position (CLJ).

(Cable Select)
The jumper over the J48 position is configuring the drive for Cable Select.

(Cable Select with CLJ)
The jumper over the J48 position is configuring the drive for Cable Select.
The jumper over the J46 pins is in the Cylinder Limitation position (CLJ).
Click to expand...

This should be the settings. Do it accordingly to your choice.

-J.
 
And, my HDD should be on Cable Select, or Master?
I only have on drive put in, keep that in mind
 
Does it make adifference? I just changed it and trying to install windows now.
 
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