PCTech Forums

by **eXp0se** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:49 pm

Hi guys,
I have just upgraded my computer. I used to have an AMD system, but I migrated over to intel. I've installed all of my parts and I can start the computer and get the POST details, but my HD shows up with really weird "!" marks or "*". If I restart the computer, the marks go away and I get the normal HD name. As I continue to start the computer up, it will never get past the port list. Even though I have my CDROM set up as my first boot option, the choice to boot to CD never shows up. Instead, I get a DISK ERROR. INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER.
I really don't care what is on the drive. What I want to do is to be able to boot my WinXP install disk and wipe the drive so I can install windows.

Help!!!

by **Gecko** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 1:28 am

How is your system set up, one IDE cable for the HDD and one for the CD Rom?
Is the hard drive jumper set to Master?
Does your CD Rom drive show up on the boot screen?

by **eXp0se** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:30 am

I have one IDE cable for both the CDROM and the HD.
No, my CDROM doesn't show up on the boot screen, but it worked fine when it was in my AMD system about 5 days ago.
I have no jumpers on my HD and I have my CD ROM set on master.

by **ColaBoy** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:29 pm

You could try connecting it as a secondary drive, if you have another spare HD, to see if it is actually readable. Or have you got a floppy you can boot from and then check the HD contents that way?
Ive read of this kind of thing happening before and it was due to some kind of system file being missing. Can't remember more than that and I may be way off mark.

by **eXp0se** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:34 pm

I've fixed this problem and I'll tell you how.

First, make sure your RAM sticks are facing the correct way :oops:

Second, make sure your drives, optical or HD, are set to either master or slave. I have both set to master, therefore the BIOS was getting both mixed up.

I do have a new problem though....
I'm gonna be searching the forum for any previous posts before making a new topic.

by **ColaBoy** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:42 pm

We all mistakes and boy have I made some!! But how did you manage to get the ram inserted in the wrong way? It only fits one way does'nt it?

by **eXp0se** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:11 am

It's dual channel. Yet, I still wondered why it was so hard to get the RAM in...lol[/i]

by **ColaBoy** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:37 am

You were lucky. When I did that I broke my MB and had to get a new one! Its funny though. Half the problems encountered with PC always seem to be due the the simplest mistakes. ;)

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After POST, disk error.

After POST, disk error.

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