Windows XP Loads.Reboots and begins to load again

[srsm]

Windows XP installation loads files.reboots, and instead of going into the 2nd stage begins to load again in text mode. When I reboot with Winternals it cannot find a windows installation but shows that the files are on the harddrive but are unable to be read. The system is a Compaq Presario 5000 and had a HDD in it which upon boot would come up I/O error and telling me to replace the HDD. I put that HDD in another system and it would not even format and so replaced it with the current one. I was thinking of getting a PCI ide adapter card and installing it and connecting the HDD to that and try to install. Does anyone know if I can do that? Will I be able to install the card with out an operating system?

[glc]

I would zero fill the hard drive, then try to install XP from scratch.

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by srsm The system is a Compaq Presario 5000 and had a HDD in it which upon boot would come up I/O error and telling me to replace the HDD.

Can you see the new harddrive in the BIOS? I have seen Compaq's that have been unable to recognize a harddrive because of a faulty power supply.

[srsm]

What do you mean by" zero fill the hard drive?"

[rjfvillarosa]

'Zero fill' means to write zero's to the entire harddrive wiping out anything and everything that was there including the file table struture or MBR.
The idea behind 'zero filling' a harddrive is to return it to it's original factory condition thus eliminating any problems that could cause a bad or failed reinstall.
Most harddrive manufacturers diagnostic software, that can be downloaded from the manufacturers website, contains low level format and zero fill utilities. You can also use the harddrive tools found on the UBCD (ultimatebootCD). Darik's Boot and Nuke or Dban as it is usually known being one of the easiest to use.

You can download a free copy here:
www.ultimatebootcd.com
You download the .ISO file, create a bootable CD with it and then boot up your computer with the UBCD in the CD drawer, having set the BIOS of your computer to boot from CD first. All the instructions are on the UBCD site.