PC boot problems

zewone

zewone

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So, yesterday, I built my first computer. On first startup of the BIOs, I configure them, and pop in my Windows XP Pro CD, and start installing my OS. I get to the blue screen, yadayada, format C: in NTFS and install the Windows boot files there. The computer restarts.

It goes back to the blue screen, instead of the Windows XP setup screen. So, I configure my boot up to be HDD only (I already had HDD as 1st boot). The bios tell me to insert a boot media (this tells me that it will not boot from my HDD). Put the CD back in and the do the whole process over.

Same thing.

I must have installed the Windows XP boot files about 53 times yesterday, with no luck.

Anyone have any suggestions on what the problem might be?
 
Well you cant boot from the HDD only when there is no OS installed. You have to boot to either a floppy or CD until you can install your OS. First off how did you partition your drive(s)?
 
[quote name='Chacrana']Is the CD drive set as a boot device in the bios?[/QUOTE]
Yeah, but the HDD has priority over it.
 
[quote name='michaema']Well you cant boot from the HDD only when there is no OS installed. You have to boot to either a floppy or CD until you can install your OS. First off how did you partition your drive(s)?[/QUOTE]
I know. I put Win XP Pro disc in and installed the boot files. Instead of going in to the XP setup screen, it goes right back in to the blue boot setup.

At first, I partioned the C: drive as a small 3GB partion, just for Windows. That didn't work, so than, I partioned the whole 80GB disk as C: and that did not work either.
 
[quote name='zewone']I know. I put Win XP Pro disc in and installed the boot files. Instead of going in to the XP setup screen, it goes right back in to the blue boot setup.

At first, I partioned the C: drive as a small 3GB partion, just for Windows. That didn't work, so than, I partioned the whole 80GB disk as C: and that did not work either.[/quote]

Have you tried deleting the partition again and recreating? Also You did use full format and not the quick format as well right?
 
[quote name='michaema']Have you tried deleting the partition again and recreating? Also You did use full format and not the quick format as well right?[/QUOTE]
Yep. I've deleted the partition so many times yesterday. I've tried quick and full format, and I get the same problem.

I plan on trying my Vista install disc today, and see if that works, though I'm thinking the same thing will happen.

I think there is something wrong with my mobo or BIOs, not allowing me to boot from my HDD, even though it recognizes it just fine.
 
[quote name='Nerbil']Is this an IDE or SATA hard drive?[/QUOTE]
IDE. I set the BIOs to recognize IDE and SATA. Won't boot. Set the BIOs to IDE only. Won't boot. It's really frustrating.
 
Try checking with the MoBo vendor and seeing if there's a BIOS update for your system.

I'd also try resetting the BIOS to defaults and see if that helps.

Swapping out the IDE cable might not be a bad idea either.
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

After trying to install Vista with no success, I ran chkdsk and it came back with the HDD having one or more unrecoverable errors. So... I'm guess that's what that is. I hope it's just my 80GB. I'm going to throw my 160GB in there, and pray there are no errors. If not, I have a 40GB I can use until I order a new SATA drive. I saw a deal for a 400GB SATA for $100. I'll pick that up if the harddrive was the problem the whole time.
 
Posting from my new comp!

My 80 and 160 gig HDDs got ruined somehow, even though I can still use them as external HDDs in my enclosure. The 40GB is running Windows fine though, now I just have to worry about space!
 
glad u figured that out, when i installed vista on my sata drive for some odd reason it put the boot files on one of my IDE slaves, anyways i had to unplug all of my hdd's except the one to get it to work (off topic) where is there a 400gb sata for 100$?
 
[quote name='D4rkN1ght']glad u figured that out, when i installed vista on my sata drive for some odd reason it put the boot files on one of my IDE slaves, anyways i had to unplug all of my hdd's except the one to get it to work (off topic) where is there a 400gb sata for 100$?[/QUOTE]
This was $100 last week, guess the price went up to $129 and they aren't offering free shipping on it anymore :cry: : http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5175466

I'll probably just get this 400GB (Seagate, so it's better anyways) for about $115:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822152046
 
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