Explorer doesn't start on start up

Hello, first post
This problem has a bit of a history, so I'll start from the beginning.
Computer: AMD 1600 Processor, 512 Ram, Windows XP Pro, 2 harddrives

The first problem occured when the computer would freeze periodically. This seemed to happen when accessing internet explorer links on web pages, and didn't always happen. It required a restart. This then progressed to a blue screen on start up sometimes, boot failure. Then the computer refused to boot at all saying there was no boot record, insert boot disk.
I tried formatting and reinstalling windows, which worked until I installed SP2 (don't know why, SP2 had been installed before the problems with no affects). Then the computer stopped at the no boot record screen again. I tried another good harddrive with Windows XP preinstalled (for my other computer) and that wouldn't boot up, so I bought a new motherboard, put that in. Tried reinstalling again, but my harddrive made funny noises and can't be recognised at all by any computer now (I assume its failed). Tried using my second harddrive, formatted and installed windows. Windows crashed on installing, and after that windows said the harddrive didn't have a windows compatable partition on it. Put this harddrive into my other computer and it worked fine, formatted, put it back in the first computer, and windows crashed on install again. Tried installing windows for the umpteenth time on an old 10GB harddrive I had lying arround with WinXP on it. This installed (over about 18 hours) but would only work when both harddrives were connected, and even then windows froze on loading. Formated 10GB harddrive, and tried formatting and putting windows on the other harddrive again. The same thing happened where windows wouldn't accept the partition, and now this harddrive isn't recognised on my other computer.
Formatted the 10Gb harddrive again, installed windows again, and it finally worked after a long time.
My current problem, booting up takes about 15 minutes, and when windows starts explorer does not. I can get up task manager and run things (dx diag which came up with no problems) but explorer just fails to start. The process appears for a short while, then disappears. Also I can't install anything becuase my CD-rom drive isn't recognised, but it still opens and closes, and spins up when a disk is put in it. Have tried lots of Bios settings, taken all expansion cards, usb devices etc out, and rebooted in safemode, but to no affect.
Needless to say i'm beginning to get a bit frustrated.
Any ideas? I'm unwilling to throw more money away after loosing two perfectly good harddrives, and buying a new motherboard (old one works fine still).

 

Hi, welcome to the BBS,

It seems like a harddrive "setup" problem. The drives are not being recognised and partitioned correctly (also why the drive from the other computer would not work when you put it back...although this is a "no-no ", you should not take a drive with a working system and run it in another computer).

In the BIOS setting there will probably be a menu "Autodetect Hard Disk Drives" (check in the motherboard manual). Run that whenever you change the configuration of the HDDs.

Download the tools and utilities for the harddrive from the manufacturer's website. Check the drives current status and if you decide to install again, use the manufacturer's drive setup tools, but avoid installing a Dynamic Drive Overlay.

Check the drive's current status using CheckDisk (search this forum for chkdsk). Explorer keeps track of file system.

Matt
Edit: if you are using the same cables for the drives, try others.
Edit 2: only a thought, there is a right way and a wrong way to install HDD data cables. The two connections that are closest together connect to the drives. The connection on the longest end connects to the motherboard.

 

Thanks, problems sorted. After sorting harddrive problems, windows installed fine.

 

Thanks for letting us know. Good outcome