OT computer help OT

Download a copy of memtest86. It's very likely that you have memory problems. For some reason, I've seen these show up during windows install when they didn't show up elsewhere.

A bootable CD hard drive test downloaded from the drives maker's website may help.

Or you could test the drive on a USB adapter.

jsw

I got XP to load after I took the HDD out and slaved it to another comp to format . Moot point now , it shut down on me in the middle of a bios reflash , and it's now dead , dead , dead . BTW , I have a copy of memtest on an external HDD , but no blank CD's to burn a copy . I know this can be fixed , just don't know how - yet .

I got XP loaded after a HDD format while slaved to another comp . See my reply to rangers above for new troubles . I'm pretty pissed right now .

Dead as in no lights, no nothing? It could be that the battery is completel y dead - try starting it with the battery removed. Also, try removing the b attery and the power supply and letting it sit for a half hour or so, Then try it again.

I'm pretty sure you can put memtest86 on a thumb drive and boot from that, though I haven't tried that. Another handy thing to have is Ultimate Boot D isk (google it). While it may not get you out of this situation, it has a l ot of useful utilities all on one CD.

Replacement motherboards:

Rangers - yes I get lights , HDD and CD spin up . Just no boot screen , nuthin' . Jim , I've already explored that option , have several on my ebay watch list . I'd rather not have to do a mobo replacement , but it's looking pretty grim as to other options . The CD option might work if I can get a bootable ISO image to burn , I haven't managed that yet .

I'd be testing that hard drive on a USB adapter. Check Disk works if you have nothing else, the result is in the Event Log. Win7 is more helpful than XP.

This can find a bad or slow (multiple retries to read) area:

jsw

The hard drive has been tested - I have a usb device to slave drives to another comp . I used that device to do a chkdsk , then format the drive before I installed XP pro . The problem isn't the drive , it's a corrupted bios which I may or may not be able to fix . I've decided not to throw money at it by buying a usb floppy drive and jumping thru all the hoops trying to fix it , I'm ordering a new mobo . Brand new in original packaging for around 75 bucks delivered ... and no hoops . And destructions for the install are easily available on the net .

Screw it , there's a new mobo on the way . I could spend a lot of time trying to resurrect this thing with no guarantee of success . Brand new mobo , and it's going to be a lot less hassle to just replace it . Right now I've got a lot of work for the shop . Another shop here is having me do some parts , plus it looks like I may be working on some lawn mower parts ... not your daddy's mower , the racers here have been talking to my neighbor . He's had me do some performance stuff for his Mustang , his boss is one of the mower racers . Here we go !