First Computer Build (Nightmare)

[prenger745]

Ok so I decided to upgrade with a different mobo and do it all myself. The MOBO I bought is a MSI 845 Pro2-C (http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=845_Pro2-C. I can't get it to POST and it does recognize the hard drive (which is a Maxtor 4R120LOSTD) but it doesn't boot to it. (The hard drive is "ghosted" from my old system). The BIOS is AMI and from what I have read the two short beeps indicates a hardware test failure.

The hard drive boots fine in my older system but not the new one. So then I thought I would just load windows fresh from the CD. I set the BIOS to make the CD the bootdrive and I hear it spinning but nothing comes up. (and I still get the two beeps).

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Dan

[Alaron]

Fixed your link. :)

Welcome to PCMech.

What are the full specs of the system including brand/wattage of the PSU?

Do you have both the 20pin and the 4pin square power connectors attached?

Here is our new build troubleshooter: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

[flanzig1]

2 short beeps with an AMI BIOS indicates: Memory parity error. Either the could be bad or isn't compatable with the motherboard.

[prenger745]

I should have included this in the first post. I am able to get it to POST and boot to a bootable 3.5' Floppy and get the A:> Prompt. But once I try and add the harddrive and or CD Rom...it doesn't work. I have tried different jumper settings on the drives, different cables (although, to be honest...maybe the cables I am using from old systems aren't compatible with this hard drive?)

EDIT: Messing around with it a little more. While in the BIOS I have it AUTO check the HDD and it changes it to USER. Then when I go to Advanced Bios Settings to set the boot order I have the option of IDE0 or FLOPPY, but on my MOBO the IDE slots are labeled IDE1 and IDE2...does that mean anything?

EDIT: It is an Intel Celeron 2.30ghz Socket 478. Right now just one stick of 256mb (passes mem test).

[Cricket]

What operating system are you using? If you're using WinXP you have to do a WinXP repair install (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) when you change out the motherboard.

:) Cricket

[prenger745]

It is indeed Windows XP. What I did was install the hard drive as a slave on the old computer and used a program called Acronis True Image Workstation to copy the image from the old hardrive on the old computer to the new HD to be installed with the new motherboard.

Does that mean I still have to do a WinXP repair install? From my understanding, the True Image program makes a completely bootable exact image...

[flanzig1]

Yes, you need to do a repair install. The cloned image on the new HD still has drivers from the old motherboard which probably won't work with the new mobo.

[prenger745]

Ok I think the windows XP repair install is right on the money. The problem is, I don't have a Windows XP install disk...I have a Restore disk. I do have a Windows 2000 disk, but really don't want to put that on there. Any ideas?


If I use the restore disk and get XP loaded on there...what would be the best way to bring over everything from the old hard drive? (ie programs, registry etc)

[flanzig1]

If your copy of XP is from a premade PC like HP/Dell/Emachine, the restore disc won't work. With those preinstalled XP machines, XP is tied to the BIOS of the orginal machine. So, basiclly you need to buy a new XP install disk.

[CiFA0000]

Ok I think the windows XP repair install is right on the money. The problem is, I don't have a Windows XP install disk...I have a Restore disk. I do have a Windows 2000 disk, but really don't want to put that on there. Any ideas?


If I use the restore disk and get XP loaded on there...what would be the best way to bring over everything from the old hard drive? (ie programs, registry etc)

i don't know how much files you have but i would recommend burning it to dvd, or unless you have a fast connection and send the files to a friend and have that friend send them back to you when your ready. it's not a good idea with software but i would reinstall, it think its better because you need the settings to be new.

[glc]

Put the old drive in an external housing or slave it onto the IDE in the new computer to copy your data over. All software will have to be reinstalled.