Re: FN-FORUM: Boot disk failure

date posted 18th February 2004 19:21


> > You could always try the disk on the second channel.

Interesting didn't think to try that......... damn no change. :(

>As an experiment BEFORE doing that see if you can boot the dodgy
> machine to a memtest boot CD, which will double-check the boot ability
> as well as let you check out the RAM :)

Already tried different mem.

> I'd be tempted to tell him to buy a copy of XP, rip the data off on
> another machine, format the crap out of the HDD and try a fresh
> install in the dodgy machine.

Can't say I'm tempted , :)
really trying to avoid the hassle if possible, but it's always a last
resort.
Looking more like the only resort.

>Other than that it's the usual "pull everything, put it back a bit at
> a time" routine.

Yeah, everything is out.

Hmmm, just tried a different hd in the dodgy system and it
booted to the xp cd I'd left in the drive and offered to
repair install. Guess it lays the problem firmly at the feet
of the hd or the software on there.

Fresh install it is then, Oh joy!!! :(

It can wait until weekend.

cheers Pete.

regards,

Darren Yates
[EMAIL REMOVED]
http://dittodesign.co.uk
http://www.how-to-make-money-online.info




----- Original Message -----
From: "Pete Croft" [EMAIL REMOVED]
To: [EMAIL REMOVED]
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 6:30 PM
Subject: Re: FN-FORUM: Boot disk failure


>
> [EMAIL REMOVED] wrote:
>
> > So any ideas anybody? Is it worth the hassle of trying the xp
> > boot floppies? The guy is panic stricken and promises to go
> > buy a legit copy of xp as soon as his baby is working again. :)
>
> Tell him to do it first, so you can install the legit copy on his disk
> ;)
>
> > Would rewriting the mbr work? Can I do that whilst it's plugged
> > into another machine?
>
> Er, if it's formatted with NTFS you probably don't want to do that ...
>
> It's always possible that his IDE controller has gone paws up, or it
> could be any one of a million other things if it has shonky software
> on it.
>
> You could always try the disk on the second channel.
>
> Given the history of stability problems it could simply be an utterly
> shagged installation, of course.
>
> I'd be tempted to tell him to buy a copy of XP, rip the data off on
> another machine, format the crap out of the HDD and try a fresh
> install in the dodgy machine.
>
> As an experiment BEFORE doing that see if you can boot the dodgy
> machine to a memtest boot CD, which will double-check the boot ability
> as well as let you check out the RAM :)
>
> Other than that it's the usual "pull everything, put it back a bit at
> a time" routine.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Pete
> --
> Peter Croft
> PC Associates
>
>
> --
> ** Get all the Freelance Work you Can Handle *
> The Web Design Business Kit will show you proven tactics
> and strategies for marketing your business, winning bids,
> managing projects and pricing your work. Free Shipping Worldwide.
> Read more & get free chapters at:
http://www.sitepoint.com/launch/b7c91e/3/4
>
> To advertise here: http://www.freelancers.net/advertising.html
>
>