Problem after install windows XP SP2

Question

Hi I bought a Dimension 8400 one year ago, and it was fine... until yesterday. I erased all the partition (even the dell utility partition), formated the HDD and i started with a clean instalation of Windows Xp Pro SP2. The installation of SP2 will go fine, until it prompts to restart. Then every attempt to boot XP (Last Known Good, Safe Mode Command Only, the works) will lock up hard before you ever see the desktop. If you are doing a 'normal' XP boot, you will see the black GUI splash screen with the progress indicator bar that normally moves back and forth. In my case, this always locks up about 2/3 of its first pass from left to right and reboot, its the same with safe mode, last known good, etc. I tried to install Xp from different disk with and without SP2 an all the time is the same... but i tried to install Mandriva and all was fine, therefore i think that is not a hardware problem. What can i do?, is a virus? i think that is like the MBR were missing. Please, help me.

simpswr · Answer

Did you install the SATA drivers early in the installation? . . This is a great guide for reinstalling on a Dell:  http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm   wrs

vpresley83 · Answer

Hi

I had a simular problem, but not with a DELL. Install XP, your chipset drivers, then video drivers. Then install the service packs in order. My problem seemed to be the chipset drivers not being installed.

Vince

JQC · Answer

Thanks for your answered. But I used the floppy disk with SATA drivers and everytime is the same. I don´t know what is the problem or what can i do.

graffen · Answer

I'm with simpswr on this one.

With the 8400 exclusively, if you don't (before ever re-installing XP) trigger the BIOS to the middle SATA setting, then you'll not be successful with an XP re-install. (I forget what the 'middle' setting is on the SATA interface on the 8400 BIOS, but I am sure his thread above mentions it.)

This will be the case even if you have changed the boot order to (1) IDE CD/DVD and then (2) hard drive.

JQC · Answer

The boot sequence is (1) CD/DVD and (2) HDD.
Like i don´t know what is the problem, i tried to restore default parameters in the bios (in the way that system left the factory).
But i don´t understand where i can change when you say "trigger the BIOS to the middle SATA setting".

graffen · Answer

I also have a Dim 8400, so I went into the BIOS for you on my machine, so that I can better explain the process:   (1)  Power down your machine. (2)  Power on again -- but put your finger on the F2 button! (3)  Press F2 and hold the button down -- when you see the blue 'DELL' screen let go of F2 (4)  You now enter 8400 System BIOS (5)  Arrow down to selection 'Drives' (6)  Press Shift and '+' (plus) key (7)  Arrow down to 'SATA Operation' (8)  Press Enter (9)  Use Arrows to select 'RAID Autodetect / ATA' (10)  Press Escape and choose 'Save/Exit' (11)  Now let it finish booting (12)  Now reinstall Windows XP next time

Windows General

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