Resolved Can't boot.

Good evening. I decided to build my own computer from parts I was given. I have a Biostar M7VIB motherboard, TDK CD rom, 80 GB HD pre installed Windows XP. Interconnected with (80) IDE cables... When I turn on the computer, it shows the NVIDIA loading screen then followed by an Awards BIO loading screen where it gives me the options of F9 for booting devices and DEL for BIOS. Usually when I don't press anything it just goes directly to loading from that point. Showing a dashed gray loading bar, which it loads into a solid one completely, then it just stalls there. By what I understand that bar indicates the reading of devices or something like that. *If needed info: I am using a USB mouse and a wireless keyboard.*

I went to option two. Went to the BIO's CMOS and tried loading the CD-Rom. XP Pro CD, as first device and restarted. This made another screen appear after the Award BIOS loading screen which loaded the stats of the computer and said: Verifying DMI Pool Data followed by a bunch of periods, then, Booting from ATAPI CD ROM: Disk boot failure, insert disk and press enter. It doesn't even allow me to press enter. I would appreciate some advice and help.

 

Hi Nandomo, Welcome to windowsBBS

Can you find/use a PS/2 keyboard?

If not look in the BIOS setup screen for Legacy USB support or similar. If you find it turn it on and try again.

Rather than posting your details in the thread why not complete your system details it could save a lot of time when resolving this or further issues.

Please post back and let us know how you get on.

 

I put up the system details. I have all the USBs enabled and USB keyboard support enabled on the CMOS... So there should be no problem, I suppose. And I don't get my "Female USB to male PS/2 adapter" until next week.

It still doesn't load past that screen.

 

Your system details still aren't appearing. I suggest you read those instructions again. Particulary

You may be better trying a PS/2 keyboard, I know from experience some older machines have problems with USB keyboards during the boot sequence.

 

Now they are up, thanks.

I have booted a couple of computers with this keyboard. And the keyboard has been the least of my worries, its been moving through the BIOS quite well...

 

OK, now that's sorted back to your first post...

This suggests either...

1) Your XP CD is damaged
2) You need a PS/2 Keyboard
3) Your CD RW drive is faulty

There could be other issues, faulty cables, faulty motherboard etc.

I'd try cleaning the disk, borrow a PS/2 keyboard, Swapping CD drive and/or cables and see what happens.

Please post back with results.

 

That sounds like Windows XP was installed while the HDD was in another system. That would present a problem when trying to use it on a system of your own construction.

You may be able to do a "Repair Install" using a full retail XP Setup CD but a full clean install would be a better course.

 

@Surferdude & Pete

Perfectly valid points but...

I'm more concerned as to why Nandomo can't boot from the CD Drive. From the post it appears a wipe and reinstall is acceptable but not possible...

This does appear initially to be a hardware issue rather than an XP one.

 

Okay, I have a couple of Hard drives here. They all have operating systems installed in them. The first XP HD states that NTLDR is missing... Which that one I am not gonna bother fixing since its corrupt. The second has Windows ME installed and is fully functionional, but I don't have my PS/2 Adapter and can't do anything on it with USBs. And the famous third hard drive which is not booting as you all have read. I am gonna now try switcing CD ROMs since I have 3 CD ROMs here and 2 DVD ROMs, to see if I can get them to work. I am a great advocate for the wipe and reinstall, but have to get these CD ROMs to boot.

 

Yes, one of my thoughts though things may be more complicated than that. Read below.

It's your BIOS that handles USB I/O for keyboards/mice. Perhaps a combination of faults here. Change your optical drive or IDE cables and please consider borrowing a PS/2 keyboard for testing purposes.

 

I would like to thank you all for now, I was able to adjust the Windows ME to pick my wireless keyboard and open up the hard drive... And Boot completely. When I get the PS/2 Adapter I will be back to continue trying to crack the XP hard drive, but I want to thank you all for the time provided and see you all soon.

 

Don't go away just yet...

Now that you have a working OS, can you read that XP CD?

 

No it cannot, for some reason the CD ROMs I am using aren't picking up the CD. Neither XP or Windows 7

 

Cut's it down...

If your PC recognises the drive (either in "My Computer" or "Device Manager ") then switch the drive. If that doesn't work try a new cable.

Keep us posted.

 

Um I got the whole thing to work. It didn't read the CD in any of my CD ROMs, but when I connected the DVD ROM it picked up the CD. So its currently installing. Thanks for putting my brain to work guys....

No music and data aren't read.

 

Thanks for letting us know Nandomo, if the installation is successful you may wish to mark this thread as resolved

 

Once I finish the installation, I will mark it as solved. Since with Win98, Vista and 7 I have never had a problem, but you never know when XP will BSOD you lol...