Boot device not avail during win2k boot

[rmaier]

I'm not sure if this is a hardware problem or a win2k problem. I recently replaced my motherboard (ECS) with a DFI KT600-AL. The system recognized all drives and I believe I set up bios correctly. The system would start booting windows, past the press F8 for "safe mode" options screen. The next boot screen comes on and halfway through gives me the blue screen stating the boot drive is inaccessable.

When I replaced the new mobo with the cheap older one it boots fine. I am using it now. Any ideas?

I have:
1. Disabled sata since I am using IDE drives.
2. Changed jumpers on the back of the HDD to every configuration.
3. Verified the IDE ports are turned on in BIOS.
4. Run Scandisk as the blue screen recommended - no faults found.
5. Verified IDE ribbon cable functions properly.

Could it be an IDE driver issue? Could I load the drivers using my old mobo and then reinstall the new one? I'm lost here.

[bailey]

maybe its because it does not have all the drivers for the new motherboard,
did it come with a cd that has all the drivers and inf files on it,
most of the new boards today have this.

your supposed to install all this stuff right after installing the O/S and before any other programs are installed.

not sure if this is your problem, but its the first thing that comes to mind.

the best way to install a new motherboard is with a clean formated hard drive,
doing it this way insures no problems will arise

[rmaier]

I am trying to get around formatting my drive. If all else fails I will, but I was hoping to get around that. The mobo did come with a driver CD. Would it be possible to load the drivers while I am running the old mobo, then install the new one and have it work correctly?

[GaryRouth]

[. . . assuming you first have double-and-triple-checked your Bios settings for boot order problems, and all the related onboard device settings (especially onboard devices that differ between the two boards).]

With the new motherboard in place, boot from your Win2000 CD to the command prompt & see if you can access the drive at all.

If yes, try popping in your Win2000 CD, re-booting from the CD, and running a "repair" install. [type "R" for "repair" - you can do either the manual or the fast repair]. Make sure to add any necessary mainboard drivers (like bailey instructed) and visit Windows Update as soon as possible for Security Updates.

If no, 1) check the jumpers again, 2) check the Bios again, and 3) run diagnostics on the drive.
. . . Gary


[P.S. -- I don't think I'd advise loading the new mainboard drivers with the old mainboard in place].

LATE Edit --- just saw GLC's note. His recommended procedure in Tips & Tricks looks like just the ticket --- I hadn't noticed that article before. And it's been there for two years already! About time I noticed it!

[glc]

I have a thread in the Tips and Tricks forum for moving a Win2000 hard drive. You need to do a repair reinstall of Windows, not just a simple repair. Yes, it's primarily an IDE driver issue.

[rmaier]

Thank you all for the replies. I suspected an IDE driver issue, it's great to have some direction. I will follow the steps on glc's thread, I'm sure it will work great! Thanks again to bailey, GaryRouth, and glc!