Windows wont boot after reformat

Hello all,

I'm a newb to this site. Yes, the dreaded newb . I've got a problem here that I'm stuck on. I believe it's a hardware issue.

Brief description:

My computer had reset 4 during operation during the last few months. The 4th time I cleaned out my computer because the processor was running hotter at idle then it should be. I can't believe how much dust settles after 6 months . After that, the processor ran at normal temps.

So.....on Wed.. My computer reset the 5th time, the computer started to boot windows, failed and reset. Hmm, ok. No problem. Run with last known settings. Same thing happens. Run in safe mode-- It starts to load up and hangs. Now I'm worried.

I try to repair windows XP. It seems to work correctly, but as soon the computer reboots, gets to the loading of windows XP, and resets at the exact same time as it first did. So then I try to boot from disk, but windows will not boot. I looked at my POST code and it gets all the way to the failed boot. FF--on ABIT motherboard. So, I clear CMOS. Then and reset BIOS to safe factory defaults, etc just to be 100% certain. For fun.. I fruitlessly try to repair windows again and run in safe mode.

Somewhere in there I did a scandisk and it came up with some errors. So out of desperation I reformatted. Everything seemed to go well until the computer reset the 2nd time when windows was fully installed. My computer just froze up. ARGHHHH! So after everything, I still have the exact same problem I started with. I'm thinking it is a hardware issue now.

Here is the hardware I have if this helps:

ABIT motherboard --85PE chipset (something like that)
pentium prescott 2.8 hyperthreading
10,000 rpm western digital raptor Hard drive.

Windows XP.

 

Thanks for the spam advertising. It will be very helpful considering that I cannot download anything with my desktop at home.

 

Hello nm6. Welcome aboard.

It seems that while cleaning up your computer, you have moved around some wires etc. & now you have a connection problem. Open up the case and make sure that all the wires are securely attached.

See if disabling Hyperthreading in BIOS makes any difference. Also check your power supply.

 

If all else fails, try doing a Low Level Format on your Raptor. If it is a retail drive, you should have gotten a CD with it, and the tools are on that.

If you did not touch the case (metal) Before you worked inside it, you may have zapped something. (hope not)

 

This man gets a cookie. It is either the back up CD / DVD drive or IDE cable that is bad. Thanks for the feedback guys, I didn't realize that a bad connection to a periphrial could stop windows from booting.