Boot from Atapi CD-Rom Failure

[EDB]

Hi All,
I came across this forum while searching for answers to my current comp problem... I'm impressed by the quality of responses, and hope I can get some help here... I'm not YET at super tech god status... but I'm working my way there... very slowly.

Here's what I'm facing: (excuse the long-windedness, don't want to miss out on important details!

I'm having some more difficulties with my system, and while trying to learn how to repair/upgrade computers, I seem to be digging myself into a bigger hole! I can't seem to resolve this issue. I'll try to give as much info as I can:

The Comp has a 700mhz P3. Mobo is a Korean one, Meditech. Originally there was 1 CDRW (Plextor), 1 CDROM (Goldstar), one Harddrive (quantum Fireball Plus LM - 20GB). I was able to install 2000 and get it working. I added more ram (to something like 382mb) (PC133 to a PC100 system) and it still functioned, recognized the additional ram, and didn't throw out any error messages.

Tried to get it to dual boot with XP Pro, but didn't get a complete install (Some 5 files were unable to copy onto the 2nd partition.) (Same Disk1)

Got another old comp up and running, and installed 2000 on it, and decided to turn this problem comp into a sole XP OS, and install a second harddrive(maxtor).

(HERE'S WHERE I Think I screwed up) I wanted to wipe all the data off the 2 harddrives, so I used Hiren Boot CD 6 to run the HD diagnostics. I used maxtor diagnostic (among other testing tools), and low-level formatted it. It was interrupted in process.

Now when I try to boot a boot cd (Hiren or XP) I get "Boot from Atapi CD-Rom: Failure , Missing Operating System" error message. BIOS is set to go CD, C, then A. (I've tried from both cd drives)
If I change the BIOS to boot from C:, I get a missing operating system error.
If I change the BIOS to boot from floppy, I can boot an old 98 boot disk to a: prompt.
From there I can read the CDs (cannot run XP setup from DOS), and see the following drive designations: a:floppy, c:HD, d: HD, E:MS Ram Drive, F: CDRW, G: CDROM.
From e:\> I tried running scandisk. It scanned e:. Changed the switch to scandisk c:\all, or d:\all and for both got 'cannot examine'
From a:\> tried Fdisk
Shows that Drive 1 is C:, active, primary dos, with unknown system (NTFS)
Shows that Drive 2 has a logical drive, D:, ext dos, and system unknown (NTFS)

I've checked the jumpers, replaced the HD cable with 80-wire cable select, and reset jumpers, checked connectivity, etc. Replaced CD cables with other ribbon, checked jumpers, etc...
CD drives on IDE2 channel, HDs on IDE1 channel.
All show up in BIOS and POST.

My powersupply is 250 W, which I think should support all included devices. (Just in case, I disconnected 1 HD's connections to see if that affected it... Nope!)

BIOS and POST recognize all IDE devices, I've reset the config, gone back to default and setup defaults, and tweaked it a little to match (or so I think).

I think I need to fix the MBR, or reformat the HD... I don't understand why the ATAPI won't boot... I can't seem to find a resolution through searching MS, googling, etc... Will continue searching, but seeing if you have any ideas...

I don't care about any data on the drives, I just want to confirm that they're good, and install xp on this system... I'd be happy just to have the CD boot!

Since originally writing this, I reformatted both harddives from the 98 boot disk a:\> prompt by typing format c: /s/u/autotest. same for d:

Now both CD drives are formatted (FAT)and contain command.com as the sole file.

Also, just removed CDRW, and reset cable and jumper positions or CDROM to master. No luck.

[glc]

low-level formatted it. It was interrupted in process.

This can make the hard drive very difficult to do anything with it. Try running Powermax again from a floppy boot and do a complete zero fill to completion, then run Powermax diagnostics. You need to have 100% clean drives because right now you are pretty badly corrupted. Do this with only one drive at a time connected. I don't know what Hiren is, but you don't need it.

When you go to boot with a CD, only have one CD drive connected. Older bioses get confused when there are multiple drives to pick from. Do this with only one hard drive connected also - the one you want to install the OS on, and let the OS install do the partitioning and formatting. When the OS is installed, then you can reconnect the rest of the drives and set them up.

[EDB]

Originally Posted by glc Try running Powermax again from a floppy boot and do a complete zero fill to completion, then run Powermax diagnostics. You need to have 100% clean drives because right now you are pretty badly corrupted. Do this with only one drive at a time connected. When you go to boot with a CD, only have one CD drive connected. Do this with only one hard drive connected also - the one you want to install the OS on, and let the OS install do the partitioning and formatting. When the OS is installed, then you can reconnect the rest of the drives and set them up.

Thanks GLC, I was gonna try that next. Right now I have the c: drive being scandisked, (about 70%) though, so I'll wait until its done. I saw where I could download the file from Maxtor to do powermax... My only problem is that I don't have a working comp with a working floppy with internet!

I was also wondering if having a mixed set of RAM (PC 133 with PC100) will affect performance... The mobo is set at 100. I don't think underclocking will hurt anything... any experience on this?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by EDB I was also wondering if having a mixed set of RAM (PC 133 with PC100) will affect performance... The mobo is set at 100. I don't think underclocking will hurt anything... any experience on this?

Most motherboards that run PC100 can run PC133 at 100MHz okay...but I don't know about your specific motherboard since I've never heard of that brand before. But if the computer is booting up and running okay, you may be fine.

I have a computer at home running a PIII 600MHz on a ABIT BH6 motherboard with PC133 Kingston ValueRAM set to 100MHz and it runs fine.

Cricket

[EDB]

Thanks for that Cricket! Glad to have the confirmation...

GLC-I've got another comp working with floppy and internet, and am getting the powermax... I'll keep you all posted...

[glc]

A 700 is 100 FSB, and if it's a BX chipset, the ram will only run at 100 anyway - the ram bus is locked synchronous with the FSB. I have 2 each 100 and 133 in my P3-800 on a BX and it runs at 100. If it's a Via board, the ram can run asynchronous, but that's not as stable as synchronous.

[EDB]

I was able to run the powermax utility on the c drive (removed extra cd and HD) and found it to pass:
Install configuration-
Basic Quick Test-
Advanced Test-
Low Level Format Full -

Tried to install from XP CD on this new drive: Still get Atapi cd-rom error.
Also have "disk boot failure, insert sytem disk and press enter."

Will install the other hard drive (removing this one) and do the same tests, but wonder why I can't install even though this drive has been zeroed.

Note: Powermax boot disk wouldn't boot originally but I could run it from the dos prompt... Now when I try it won't boot, and I get a 'Cannot load Dos!' error.
Had to boot from 98 floppy to get to it... Is that a clue?
BTW- glc and cricket, my mobo is a 6BX83 Meditech (korean as mentioned b4)

[EDB]

I've just finished testing and re-low-level formatting my other HD. Both passed, and now it's just me trying to install XP on one HD with one CD-Rom.

It's not working

Still have the same error: Boot from Atapi CDROM - Failure. What's new is that I get a Disk Boot Failure, Insert System Disk.... (Makes sense, as the HD has been zeroed...)
****EDIT****

Just tried my 2000 Pro disk in it, and it started setup fine! Guess my XP disk is messed up!?!
Thanks for the help and suggestions...

[glc]

Either that or your CD drive is marginal. My laptop CD drive is fussy like that.

[EDB]

Will get another XP OS and see if that'll work, if not, guess I'll switch out the cdrom...

Thanks for all the help!