Will Reboot but Not Cold Boot

[J.K. Bowman]

Hello, Gang..

Got a sec? Here's the problem.

I just installed a new hard drive and copy of Windows XP.

It seems I am able to get Windows to launch if before pressing the power-up button I old down a key and run through the screens that arise there. Once Windows is running I can also go through the sequence Start / Restart, and Windows boots up just fine.

However, if I go through the sequence Start / Shutdown and later try to boot windows by just pressing the power-up button I get nothing but a blank screen and a blinking cursor. It'll sit there all night if I let it.

Might anyone have some tips for me on this? How can I get this system to boot by just pressing the power-up button?

Thanks!

[doubledragon5]

Please post your system spec.. This will help our members to better assit you.

[J.K. Bowman]

Thanks, Dragon..

Maybe this will help..

Processor AMD Athlon, 1400 MHz 133MHz external bus BIOS American Megatrends Inc. 0AAWVP06 05/22/2001 Memory 512MB physical 90% free resources 3 memory slots, 1 free (256+256+0) Video Graphics Adapter: S3 Graphics ProSavage Gateway Screen Area/Colors: 1024x768 pixels, 16 million colors Monitor: Gateway VX1120 Drives C:\ (NTFS) 57247MB total, 51697MB free D:\ CD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD Drive E:\ CD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD Drive Network and Modem (net) Linksys Linksys LNE100TX Fast Ethernet Adapter(LNE100TX v4) (net) Broadcom Broadcom 4211 iLine10 Network Adapter (net) Microsoft Direct Parallel (modem) BCM BCM V.90 56K Modem Operating System Windows XP SP2 (Windows XP 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2) Original setup date: 3/7/2005 DirectX Version: 5.03.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158) SWAP FILE DISABLED File cache managed by Windows Browser MSIE 6.0; 5.1; SV1 Proxy: No proxy set HTTP level: direct 1.1, proxy 1.0 Scripting version: 5.6.0.8820

[doubledragon5]

Was it runing ok before the new Hd installation?. If so make sure it is set to cable select. Try puting in the other hd and see what happens....What is the brand of Hd you installed. What was the original before the new one...

[J.K. Bowman]

Hey Dragon.... thanks again..

I believe this is the info on the hard drive..

Description Disk drive Manufacturer (Standard disk drives) Model QUANTUM FIREBALLP AS60.0 Bytes/Sector 512 Media Loaded Yes Media Type Fixed hard disk media Partitions 1 SCSI Bus 0 SCSI Logical Unit 0 SCSI Port 0 SCSI Target ID 0 Sectors/Track 63 Size 55.91 GB (60,036,318,720 bytes) Total Cylinders 7,299 Total Sectors 117,258,435 Total Tracks 1,861,245 Tracks/Cylinder 255 Partition Disk #0, Partition #0 Partition Size 55.91 GB (60,028,061,184 bytes) Partition Starting Offset 32,256 bytes

As per what disc was on it prior, I'm afraid I don't know. All I do know is that origionally it was Win2000. I can, however, report that while trying to load Window's once previously it ran a diagnostic check on the hard drive (two minutes) and in doing so it came back with a report that there were no problems.

Let me also add this. I've learned now what BIOS is - lol... And I've also checked it. I note that on the booting options the Hard Drive is not listed 1st. Should it be?

Thanks..

Writing to you on the computer I'm working on.

[doubledragon5]

When booting up I usually have the floopy first hd, second, and cd, third. the only time I would change it is when need to boot form a cd then it would be cd drive first. It shouldn't matter what you have for a boot order. But give it a try and see what happens...

[fudtone]

I may be confused...
I dont think it would have been the cause but... Why is the "SWAP FILE DISABLED"?

[J.K. Bowman]

Hey Dragon, hey fudtone..... thanks, again..

I'm not sure about the 'SWAP FILE' - not really sure what it is. However, I have changed the boot sequence in the BIOS so that it will look for the hard drive first.

If I'm back quickly - it works. If not, I'm prolly hooking up my laptop... lol

[J.K. Bowman]

Well, I'm back which means it booted cold. However, it did it in an odd way.

Gateway screen ---- Blank Screen / Blinking Cursor (long delay) ---- Gateway Screen ---- Windows (tadaaaa..)

I'm going to try starting from a cold stop several more times.

BTW - I've also found an update for my BIOS on the Gateway site..

http://support.gateway.com/support/d...5&uid=79757235 Note: When updating your computer's BIOS, the update process fails if you use a floppy disk formatted in Microsoft® Windows® 2000, Windows NT®, or Windows XP. Instead, use a new IBM pre-formatted disk. Refer to Readme.txt file for more details.

Guess I'm going to have to find the right disc before I install that though...

[fudtone]

I dont have XP so I cant send to stright to it but whenever I'm messing with my swap file and disable it my system runs really slow.

[doubledragon5]

I would try puting in another know working HD first... From what I have read disabling the swap file sholdn't cause this problem... I have read on a few other sites just surfing the net. other people had similar problems and it ended up being the hd itself...

[J.K. Bowman]

Hey again, guys..

Several (difficult) reboots later I'm back.

The sequence now, which seems to be consistent is:

Gateway Screen - Blank Screen (looong delay) - I begin pressing the FKeys, ALT,CTRL,DEL, etc.. or something and then after a while it starts. I'm not sure if the start is due to me messing with the keyboard, or if it's just starting.

Some more info too from the BIOS:

IDE CONFIG OnBoard PCI IDE Controler.........Both Hard Disc PreDelay...................Disabled PCI IDE Busmaster...................Enabled Primary IDE Master..................Hard Disc Primary IDE Slave....................[not detected] Secondary IDE Master..............[ATAPI CDROM] Secondary IDE Slave................[ATAPI CDROM]

Also, at the exit screen I see I have an option for:

Load Optimial Defaults

Just thought I'd add these specs in case anyone saw anything wrong with it. Also, should I try this 'Load Optimal Defaults' setting? It seems that would be a good idea, but I'm such a dufus on this I don't wanna take a chance on doing something wrong..

Also, I made a mental note on the hard disc, dragon. I have another I can try later. As per the Swap File I'll see what I can find on the web.

Thanks!

[doubledragon5]

Loading defaults isn't a bad Idea. Give it a try and see what happens.. Never heard of this cold star problem, but there is always a first time.. I will also try to see what I can find...

[doubledragon5]

One thing I did notice in your posting of system specs is this. Are you using broadband connection or a dial up modem. From the looks of it a broadband connection. Right click on My Computer>Properites>Hardware>Device Manager. Click on Network Adapters and disable any device you not using.. Close and reboot see if this changes anything.. Also look to see what the Name of the Hd your using is and go to the manufacturing wedsite and download the diagnostic tool.. Do a complete scan to see if it brings up any error messages..

[J.K. Bowman]

Yall, rock...

Not there yet, but I have progress. Dragon, the HD was a Quantum Fireball Plus AS. Turns out the company had been bought by Maxtor, but I visited their site and did find a diagnostic too.

HD passed everything on 'Quick Test' but failed on 'Long Test.'

I'll prolly be picking up a new HD tomorrow. If it doesn't work then, I'll just use that as a second when I buy/build a new PC. If I build be looking for a lot more questions. lol

In the meantime it's ALT/CTRL/DELETE at the blank screen on cold boot. Oddly, even with the HD messed up (no matter what it is) pressing ALT/CTRL/DELETE at that moment result in a nice boot everytime.

Cheers!

oh p.s. - got that network adapter thing taken care of too - (double thanks!)

[J.K. Bowman]

Just an update and one more thanks. - I think I'm fine now....

I took the Quantum HD out and installed an IBM 76GB Hard Drive that had Win2000 on it. On that I removed Win2000 and installed WinXP, and all seems to be running just fine now.

The only problem is the freakin noise.. lol.. The machine is running fine but this IBM hard drive sounds like gravel on an amp..!

I think I might pick another one up then. If anyone has any suggestions on what might be quiet please lemme know. And once again, thanks. You guys have been great!

[jeeter2]

I hate to point out the obvious but he is trying to run a scsi drive through a ide controller if he wants to use this drive he needs a scsi controller or he needs to get an ide drive.

[doubledragon5]

Where did I not see that? Ya how stupid I looked right past it. Ya get a standard ide hard drive.. Go to newegg.com or a Bestbuy...

[J.K. Bowman]

Hey ya'll.... thanks again..

Here is the drive that I'm looking at.. Samsung 80GB 7200 2MB ATA-133

If that's a mistake, please lemme know. lol

Also, I'm guessing that the 'wrong' drive is the IBM one?

The two involved were:
1) QUANTUM FIREBALLP AS60.0
2) IBM DTLA-307075

I'm typing to ya from the IBM one now. I was thinking about using it as a second, but if it's the wrong one I'll just skip it.

Thanks!

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by J.K. Bowman Here is the drive that I'm looking at.. Samsung 80GB 7200 2MB ATA-133 If that's a mistake, please lemme know. lol

It's a mistake. Samsung makes terrible drives that have spotty reliability at best. Better choices would be Maxtor, Seagate or Western Digital.

Cricket

[macko72]

Originally Posted by jeeter2 I hate to point out the obvious but he is trying to run a scsi drive through a ide controller if he wants to use this drive he needs a scsi controller or he needs to get an ide drive.

Here is definition on SCSI :
“Small Computer System Interface”. An interface standard that defines physical and electrical connections for devices. SCSI provides a standard interface that enables many different kinds of devices, such as disk drives, magneto optical disks, CD-ROM drives, and tape drives to interface with the host computer.
What I wonted to say is that SCSI controller is essential for communication thru IDE, EIDE, ATA, ATAPI, and USB.

And to a Bowman it's great HDD as long as it serves you welll.(I have Samsung 30 Gb ATA-100 for 4 years now and it's still working perfectly on my daughter's comp)

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by macko72 What I wonted to say is that SCSI controller is essential for communication thru IDE, EIDE, ATA, ATAPI, and USB.

What?!? That's not true at all. What that definition you posted means is that you need a SCSI controller in order to use SCSI devices in a computer.

Cricket

[J.K. Bowman]

Thanks even again for the feedback, Gang..

I'm going to take it then that the Samsung is compatible?

I believe I have the speed (133) matched correctly too.

My reason for thinking about that one has to do with sound. The box sits right by my ear. I checked out several reviews on the web and each suggested that if sound was a big issue to go with Seagate (fantastic) or this Samsung (slightly better than Seagate). - I guess that could be wrong, but that's what I'm werkin with.. lol

The IBM is what I'm on now...... way loud
The first quote (11:26 AM) was taken while I had the Quantum Fireball in.

If I go with the Samsung then all I need to know is what should I do with the IBM?

If it's compatible I'll use it. If not though I guess I'll sell it. Oddly I see the price on this thing is high as a cat's back. $195

Thanks!

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by J.K. Bowman I'm going to take it then that the Samsung is compatible?

Yes, it's compatible.

Originally Posted by J.K. Bowman I believe I have the speed (133) matched correctly too.

That really doesn't matter much...the hard drive will work even if the controller is only ATA33. Backward compatibility.

Originally Posted by J.K. Bowman My reason for thinking about that one has to do with sound. The box sits right by my ear. I checked out several reviews on the web and each suggested that if sound was a big issue to go with Seagate (fantastic) or this Samsung (slightly better than Seagate). - I guess that could be wrong, but that's what I'm werkin with.. lol

It's probably right, but historically Samsung hard drives have had terrible reliability. They may have gotten better recently but I really wouldn't know since I avoid using that particular brand.

Originally Posted by J.K. Bowman If I go with the Samsung then all I need to know is what should I do with the IBM? If it's compatible I'll use it. If not though I guess I'll sell it. Oddly I see the price on this thing is high as a cat's back.

You could use both hard drives in the computer if you wanted to, just slave one to the other. But in certain cases, some hard drives don't like being on the same IDE controller with other hard drive brands. Just gotta try 'em and see if they'll play together nicely.

Cricket

[J.K. Bowman]

Far out...

I'm going to snag it tonight, and hopefully all will work out. However, I can't lie...

There is another part of me hoping it doesn't so I can build a new one..

[macko72]

Originally Posted by Cricket What?!? That's not true at all. What that definition you posted means is that you need a SCSI controller in order to use SCSI devices in a computer. Cricket

Sorry Cricket that is not my definition I just copied from some website you can find more definitions if you type define:scsi in yours search engine (google,msn or other)
Please don't be angry on me just trying to help Bowman !!!!

[J.K. Bowman]

...angry? - Heck no!

This is the most helpful forum I've been to in eons...

I'm gonna tell the folks in my forums to come here too..

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by macko72 Sorry Cricket that is not my definition I just copied from some website you can find more definitions if you type define:scsi in yours search engine (google,msn or other) Please don't be angry on me just trying to help Bowman !!!!

Trying to help someone is fine, but make sure the information you're giving them is correct or you'll just confuse them even more.

Cricket

[dataDude]

As a note, I work as a tier I computer technician for a large transportation corporation and recently had a similar conversation with the network administrators there (we're all in the same room) about hard drives. They mentioned Seagates as being their most trusted drives. I do know, however, that Maxtor hard drives are known for being quite untrustworthy. In fact, before starting in my current job position, I was involved in breakfixing hundreds of Dell/IBM computers and due a huge recall of Maxtor hard drives, I was told that for every Maxtor found that I have to take it out and replace it with another drive in our inventory (which included Seagate and Western Digital). I personally stand by the network administrators' opinions and generally avoid Maxtors when I see them.