windows boot problem

[animalshack]

hey guys,

i recently posted about not being able to start my custom comp, i figured out that it was the soundcard, so i replaced it and it started up and i went to the bios....ifor some reason, when i tried to install xp pro, it wouldnt detect it even after i changed primary boot device to cdrom

so i installed this hdd on my other comp as a secondary one and put windows xp pro on it, then when windows xp got to the point where it wanted to configure everything i took the hdd out of the old comp, put it in my new one and tried it out

but to my dismay, it still didnt work, it said "nrldt not detected" or something

so i searched these forums and found out how to solve it, but, i made my own "boot.ini" file, copying what it said on a website that said it looked like a normal "boot.ini"

then. when i restarted it asked me, that thing about safe mode and if i should restart in regular mode or use last configured something

so i tried practically every one, but each time i do, it restarts on its own and goes to the same place

got any ideas why?

[Cricket]

Post your system specs...list the parts by make and model. It'll give us something to work with.

Have you tried the system with different RAM installed?

Have you tried another IDE cable?

Have you tested the hard drive with the manufacturer's drive diagnostic utility to see if it's defective or not?

Cricket

[animalshack]

• mobo = ecs mainboard p4vxasd2+
• hdd = maxtor diamondmax 60gb 7200rpm 8mb buffer
• optical = 20x old hp cd drive
• ram = oem 512 ddr
• processor = intel p4 2.4ghz
• video card = nvidia g4 64 mb mx420
• case = enermax something (not sure) has a side panel and fan

well anyway,

i havent tried different RAM but im 99% positive thats not it, because it post's fine

yes i have tried another ide cable and a ehole different mobo to be exact, it worked fine on the other, but then, i wasnt really loading xp professional, i was loading xp home and looking at the other hdd through there

[animalshack]

im gonna try a different ide cable, but on the same mobo, cause i noticed that the one im using is kinda folded

ill tell u how it goes

[Cricket]

Originally posted by animalshack i havent tried different RAM but im 99% positive thats not it, because it post's fine

Having the computer POST isn't a good indicator that the RAM is "okay", you have to test it to be sure. All the computer is doing at bootup is count the RAM to see how much is there.

It looks like you're using generic RAM with a ECS motherboard, that's a red flag in my mind. ECS motherboards are very finicky when it comes to RAM and going with good quality name brand stuff is recommended.

Get DocMemory to test your RAM with.

Cricket

[mike breck]

If the XP CD wasn't detected, then try another CD-Rom drive in the new build.

That old HP CD-Rom may be suspect.

Then use the XP CD to format the HD and reinstall XP with minimal components. Once it is up and running, then add you PCI cards one at a time and see what causes problems.

HTH

[alcelc]

In addition to all other friends' good recommandation, have U downloaded the latest driver from ECS??

I'm also using ECS's m/b & had once encountered sort of minor problems until I get the latest drivers.

By the way, U first talked about a sound card replacement. But the ECS m/b should has onboard sound! Have U disable it before addition of a new sound card??

[animalshack]

i reinstalled windows on the different computer but on the same hdd, (i dont know why) i was desperate tho, now when i put my hdd back in the case it doesnt want to go to windows stll

it says something like:

"Windows could not load up because of hardware problems. It could not read the drive which Windows is installed on. Please verify that it is installed correctly and is not corrupted. For more information on this please contact your hardware vendor or Windows manual and look up 'Known Hardware Issues'"

got any ideas?

[animalshack]

??? im so fu***ng confused....

i want to play counter-strike on my lan