Continuous reboot with new build

[EdwardB]

Hey guys, I just compiled my new machine with the aid and advice I aquired from reading this board. I am at the screen where it asks if I would like to to boot in safe mode or regular. I would then select one of the options, the computer acts like it is going to go in to windows, then reboots, the lanparty splash screen comes back up, and then I am back to the screen where it asks me if I want to boot in with safe mode.

 

I have not reformatted because I would like to keep the data that I previously had on my hard drive.

 

I have run a memtest and everything looks ok from there (running at default speeds (3-4-4-8)

 

I suspect this is a hard drive related issue (not hardware). I have checked the cables and whatnot.

 

Do I have to go from a fresh format? Or can I roll with my previously installed unit?

 

Thanks for the help!

[StephenC]

You will need to format your harddrive in install a clean copy of xp . It is just not going to work. If you have data that you need off the harddrive first just set it up as a slave on another PC and copy the data you need. Sorry.

[EdwardB]

Stephen,

 

Thanks for the quick reply. So the symtoms my computer is exhibiting would be exactly as you expect for someone trying to boot in to a previously filled hard drive. Thanks and I am sure I am being a bit redundant. I just want to make sure this issue does not stem from another issue.

 

In other words, this cyclical rebooting would be what anyone would experience if they attempted to load in to Windows without reformatting.

 

(Just want to make sure before I go out an purchase another HD)

 

Thanks again!!

[StephenC]

That's about it. So you cannot reformat the harddrive? Or you just want an excuse to head out to fry's. Going to the one with the mooing cow's on the roof?

[EdwardB]

I can reformat the hard drive but I will be crying when I do it. I have 110GB of stuff on it.

 

Reloading Doom3 and HL2 is painful enough (5 disks!!)

 

I will take your advice and load up a new hard drive tonight. I will just have to slave my current HD as you suggested.

 

Thanks again for the help.

 

By the way, I love Fry's!

[StephenC]

I suggested you set it up as a slave to backup any data you wnated to save. Before you reformated it. So which fry's do you go to? I like fry's alot too. It is my toy store.

[EdwardB]

Ok, I purchased a new hard drive and everything loaded up great. I just set the old drive up as a slave. Bios, and Windows recognized it just fine as the "E" drive. However, when I try to access it via my computer, it says I need to format the drive. In other words, I can't just click it and go in to my old files.

 

I did a properties check on it and it says the file type is "raw". This is strange because I know the file system I used to format it was NTFS. Does anyone know what I need to do to get this data bacK?

 

Thanks a lot guys!

[StephenC]

Ok is it a sata or pata? Which is your new harddrive?

[EdwardB]

Hey Stephen,

 

I am not sure what kind of HD it is (It is the same type of HD I have been using for years. Seems like a regular old IDE)

 

Nevertheless, the only way I was able to get it to work was setting it up as a Secondary master. I tried all the jumper settings from cable select to specifiying it as master. It must be something with the hard drive. No big deal. I mainly wanted to get the data off of that drive (which I now have done).

 

At any rate, I really appreciate all of the help! The system is up and running!

[Angry_Games]

is this issue resolved?

 

hdd's are funny sometimes in that some will only work when plugged in a certain way on the chain of IDE devices (ive got a cd-rw that will ONLY work on Secondary Master....it will hose the system anywhere i plug it in with this Maxtor 160GB hdd plugged in to IDE also)

[StephenC]

Glad to hear it worked out for you.

[EdwardB]

is this issue resolved?

 

hdd's are funny sometimes in that some will only work when plugged in a certain way on the chain of IDE devices (ive got a cd-rw that will ONLY work on Secondary Master....it will hose the system anywhere i plug it in with this Maxtor 160GB hdd plugged in to IDE also)

 

Yes, this issue is resolved!

 

This is exactly what happened. I was simply unable to get my 250GB Maxtor drive to slave. It would only work as the secondary master. Tried everything. I do not mind though because I was able to transfer all of my data to my freshly installed 160GB WD. Everything is working well.

 

Now, I just need to find an I/O backplate for my motherboard. I foolishly purchased the NewEgg refurb board and it did not come with it. (Also, I am having to use my 7 year old sound card grr...)