xp will not start

[lening]

Recently my computer lost all its files on our hard disk, which became unreadable, so I bought a new hard disk.

I previously had Windows XP Home edition, but I decided to install the Professional edition on this one instead. Firstly, it would not operate properly without installing SP2, which I did. A few days later, when I switched on the computer, it would not start up, almost never reaching the login screen, just a black screen. However, I did accidentally find a way around this: take the USB for the modem out, switch the computer on, then plug it back in straight away. That seemed to cure it temporarily, but I would like to know how to permanently fix my computer!

Perhaps it is related to my previous problem, the suddenly unreadble hard disk, which happened when my screen just froze and there was a ticking noise from the hard disk. Would it be something wrong with the motherboard?

Software recently installed: Norton Antivirus & Internet Security 2004, WS_FTP, BT Yahoo Broadband
Hardware: Matrix 2400 Plus, 512mb PC1200 DDR Memory, 80gb 7200RPM 9mb cache HDD

[bailey]

welcome to pc mech.
did you install the drivers and inf files for the motherboard that are on the cd that came with the motherboard.

[Carpedebass]

If I might ask...what kind of modem are you running? I'm worndering why you are using USB rather than ethernet? I think ethernet is the preferred choice. Probably has nothing to do with your problem though.

[glc]

He's using USB because BT is notorious for offering USB-only modems.

Two things:

1. You do NOT need any of the BT Yahoo bloatware, all you need is the modem driver. XP has a builtin PPPoE client for logging in - you run the new connection wizard and tell it you have broadband that requires a login.

2. Norton Antivirus 2004 is notorious for issues, and Internet Security is too.

If you do another reinstall, install all motherboard and hardware drivers *before* installing your modem or anything else, and I recommend you install an alternative antivirus and firewall. The builtin XP firewall is adequate for doing your setup and updates until you install a better package.

[lening]

Originally Posted by bailey welcome to pc mech. did you install the drivers and inf files for the motherboard that are on the cd that came with the motherboard.

I made a silly mistake that left damaged HDD (as slave) still connected to the data bus although I disconnected the power cable from it. This makes motherboard kept looking for this HDD.

Thank you for you help anyway.