Harddrive Problem!

Question

I have a 8300, and I bought a bigger harddrive, a WD 120GB 2mb buffer. I bought this harddrive last year, but haven't had a chance to install it till this year (I didn't want to install it when I got it). To make the story short...

I formatted and it installed Windows XP Pro on my 4100. (866mhz). I took my harddrive and put it onto a friend's computer (Non-Dell), and it won't boot up. It says something about some error, which some choices in the bottom. I was like okay... I formatted again on his computer. Using the XP Pro disc he provided me, it does not get further than the "Windows is starting up" part when using the XP as a boot disk. Some of his CD's won't even boot.

But one booted, and it installed well. Until around 86% when it was copying files, it was missing a file. winlogin something. I was like, what the heck, so I skipped the file... when it was up to the installation part, it shows some error saying a parse error, with something about a top level domain.

So finally, I formatted it again with my disc using another computer that he had (Non-Dell). The formatting went well, and up to the point where it rebooted, now it says "Reading disc error". So it won't boot to the XP installation part... This is getting on my nerves.

I used Quick Format NFTS.

I know my HD is not defective, as it worked the first time I installed XP to it. But now, my friend claims that it is defective. And by the way, does the WD Floppy that gave with the HD have any part with the installation of the OS?

Thanks in advance.

Francis Nguyen · Answer

Master Boot Record.

Low level format wipes ALL the data on the HD.

You need the monitor, mouse and keyboard. Remove everything else from the MB. Use only one stick of RAM. Make SURE the RAM is GOOD.

F.

Schmohey · Answer

How do you do a Low level format? And what is Master Boot Record?

And another problem that I'm having... with that XP 1600+... I cannot get to the part where you can delete the partition from the HD...

Thanks

Schmohey · Answer

What do you mean by 'MBR' and 'Low level format'? As for the PCs, I tried it in a computer with a AMD Athlon 1600+, and one which is Compaq something with a 180 mHZ CPU. As for removing all devices from the motherboard, I do need to have the video card, mouse, keyboard connected too right?  Not the modem though.   And I'm not using a Dell OEM XP cd.  I am using a retail one. Do the WD Floppy that came with the HD plays any role in this? Thanks. Message Edited by Schmohey on 01-08-2004 05:25 PM

shesagordie · Answer

Schmohey. Are you trying to use a Dell OEM XP reinstall disk, in a non Dell system? Bev.

Francis Nguyen · Answer

Wipe the HD including the MBR. Run a low level format if you're paranoid.

Some ancient PCs will not be able to clean install WXP. Reset the CMOS and remove all devices from the MB except for the HD and RAM. Now load WXP.

You can always try a clean install of W98, then upgrade to WXP.

F.

Francis Nguyen · Answer

http://www.seagate.com/support/kb/disc/faq/ata_llfmt_what.html

Try the WD website if this does not work. Low level format should delete all partitions on the HD. Also go to the Microsoft website to learn about the MBR.

F.

Schmohey · Answer

Okay, I'm reading it right now.

By the way, when I install XP on my computer, why won't it work on other computers?

How would I delete the MBR using fdisk? Since when you boot from the CD, it goes straight to the Windows XP Setup?

Message Edited by Schmohey on 01-08-2004 06:08 PM

Francis Nguyen · Answer

There are many things that can prevent WXP from loading.  Running the low level format will wipe the MBR.  Use the program that comes with the HD's mfr if possible.  F.

Schmohey · Answer

Is it true that when you install XP on a computer, if you put that HD on another computer, it will not work?

Francis Nguyen · Answer

Often, the answer is YES. WXP has security features PLUS the mandatory registration requirement to prevent people from using WXP on more than one PC. W2K is just as stable and is not plagued by the registration issue. However, you may also run into security problems with W2K.

F.

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Harddrive Problem!

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