After finally figuring out my POSTing problem, I began installing XP Home on my new build. Never having installed an OS before (first time builder here), I found some screenshots giving step by step advice on how to do this. Following the guide, I made my whole drive partition C. I then selected NTFS formatting (not the quick one, the long one). Quickly understanding this would take some time, I sat down to watch a movie. Checking often, I watched the progress of the format. Finally, I turned around and saw some writing on a black screen. Turns out, it was an error message:
"Windows could not start because of a computer disk harware configuration problem.
Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and disk hardware.
Please check the Windows documentation about hardware disk configuration and your hardware reference manuals for additional information."
I have checked and double checked my boot path in the BIOS, and it is CDROM 1st, then HARDDRIVE 2nd. It was obviously reading from the disk before. Has formatting the harddrive somehow interfered here? I have read from several sources NOT to press "any key to boot from CDROM" during the boot, as it will determine the CDROM pathway on its own. The CDROM spins up in any case. I have been reluctant to just push a button, but maybe I should. I have checked to make sure the connections to the CDROM have stayed tight.
Any suggestions would be welcome...
"Windows could not start because of a computer disk harware configuration problem.
Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and disk hardware.
Please check the Windows documentation about hardware disk configuration and your hardware reference manuals for additional information."
I have checked and double checked my boot path in the BIOS, and it is CDROM 1st, then HARDDRIVE 2nd. It was obviously reading from the disk before. Has formatting the harddrive somehow interfered here? I have read from several sources NOT to press "any key to boot from CDROM" during the boot, as it will determine the CDROM pathway on its own. The CDROM spins up in any case. I have been reluctant to just push a button, but maybe I should. I have checked to make sure the connections to the CDROM have stayed tight.
Any suggestions would be welcome...