Hi. I've got a weird one. I've tried googling it but I can't find any
references.

Here's the background:
a while back, my hard drive died. I got a new 300 GB IDE drive, and as an
experiment, before I reinstalled Win2K, tried some Linux distros. (Ubuntu
7.10 and Zen Walk 4 to be specific). One used GRUB, the other LILO, but the
Linux installs went well, and things worked fine. After all the
experimentation, I removed all the partitions, and I tried to go back and
reinstall Win2k from my cdrom.

The CD boots fine, and it loads all the necessary drivers, but instead of
reaching the first screen (install/repair/etc.) it freezes with a "Disk I/O:
Status: 0000AA00" message. Ctrl-Alt-Del won't reboot the computer, and I have
to do a hard power cycle to get out.

Since the disk didn't have any partitions, I thought it might be an MBR
issue. So I tried to restore it using Norton Ghost (gdisk /mbr). That didn't
work and I still get the same (AA00) error.

Any clues as to what the problem and fix is?
--
What do you want?
Information.

To do a clean install, either boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom or setup
disks. The set of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000
CD-Rom; change to the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute
makeboot.exe (from dos) or makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the
prompts.

(Note: If your drive controller is not natively supported then you'll want
to boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom. Then *F6* very early and very
important (at setup is inspecting your system) in the setup to prevent drive
controller detection, and select S to specify additional drivers. Then later
you'll be prompted to insert the manufacturer supplied Windows 2000 driver
for your drive controller in drive "A")

Setup inspects your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to
install the Setup and driver files. When the Windows 2000 Professional
screen appears, press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 Professional.

Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of
the license agreement and continue the installation.

When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup screen appears, all the existing
partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard
disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an
existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must
then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System
partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this
step for each of the existing partitions When all the partitions are deleted
press F3 to exit setup, (to avoid unexpected drive letter assignments with
your new install) then restart the pc then when you get to this point in
setup again select the unpartitioned space, and then press C to create a new
partition and specify the size (if required). Windows will by default use
all available space.

Be sure to apply SP4 and these two below to your new install before
connecting to any network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast)
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo.../W2KSP4_EN.EXE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../MS03-049.mspx

Then

Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en



--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

"John Meehan" wrote:
>
> Hi. I've got a weird one. I've tried googling it but I can't find any
> references.
>
> Here's the background:
> a while back, my hard drive died. I got a new 300 GB IDE drive, and as an
> experiment, before I reinstalled Win2K, tried some Linux distros. (Ubuntu
> 7.10 and Zen Walk 4 to be specific). One used GRUB, the other LILO, but
> the
> Linux installs went well, and things worked fine. After all the
> experimentation, I removed all the partitions, and I tried to go back and
> reinstall Win2k from my cdrom.
>
> The CD boots fine, and it loads all the necessary drivers, but instead of
> reaching the first screen (install/repair/etc.) it freezes with a "Disk
> I/O:
> Status: 0000AA00" message. Ctrl-Alt-Del won't reboot the computer, and I
> have
> to do a hard power cycle to get out.
>
> Since the disk didn't have any partitions, I thought it might be an MBR
> issue. So I tried to restore it using Norton Ghost (gdisk /mbr). That
> didn't
> work and I still get the same (AA00) error.
>
> Any clues as to what the problem and fix is?
> --
> What do you want?
> Information.

Uh-huh. I have indeed read the fine manual. And done plenty of installs.

Including, just before I did my experimentation, a *successful* install on
this very same drive.

I am not getting to the Win2k Pro screen, much less the license agreement
screen.

Still clueless about what the error means.

--
What do you want?
Information.


"Dave Patrick" wrote:

> To do a clean install, either boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom or setup
> disks. The set of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000
> CD-Rom; change to the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute
> makeboot.exe (from dos) or makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the
> prompts.
>
> (Note: If your drive controller is not natively supported then you'll want
> to boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom. Then *F6* very early and very
> important (at setup is inspecting your system) in the setup to prevent drive
> controller detection, and select S to specify additional drivers. Then later
> you'll be prompted to insert the manufacturer supplied Windows 2000 driver
> for your drive controller in drive "A")
>
> Setup inspects your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to
> install the Setup and driver files. When the Windows 2000 Professional
> screen appears, press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 Professional.
>
> Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of
> the license agreement and continue the installation.
>
> When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup screen appears, all the existing
> partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard
> disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an
> existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must
> then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System
> partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this
> step for each of the existing partitions When all the partitions are deleted
> press F3 to exit setup, (to avoid unexpected drive letter assignments with
> your new install) then restart the pc then when you get to this point in
> setup again select the unpartitioned space, and then press C to create a new
> partition and specify the size (if required). Windows will by default use
> all available space.
>
> Be sure to apply SP4 and these two below to your new install before
> connecting to any network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast)
> http://download.microsoft.com/downlo.../W2KSP4_EN.EXE
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../MS03-043.mspx
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../MS03-049.mspx
>
> Then
>
> Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
>
>
>
> --
>
> Regards,
>
> Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
> Microsoft Certified Professional
> Microsoft MVP [Windows]
> http://www.microsoft.com/protect
>
> "John Meehan" wrote:
> >
> > Hi. I've got a weird one. I've tried googling it but I can't find any
> > references.
> >
> > Here's the background:
> > a while back, my hard drive died. I got a new 300 GB IDE drive, and as an
> > experiment, before I reinstalled Win2K, tried some Linux distros. (Ubuntu
> > 7.10 and Zen Walk 4 to be specific). One used GRUB, the other LILO, but
> > the
> > Linux installs went well, and things worked fine. After all the
> > experimentation, I removed all the partitions, and I tried to go back and
> > reinstall Win2k from my cdrom.
> >
> > The CD boots fine, and it loads all the necessary drivers, but instead of
> > reaching the first screen (install/repair/etc.) it freezes with a "Disk
> > I/O:
> > Status: 0000AA00" message. Ctrl-Alt-Del won't reboot the computer, and I
> > have
> > to do a hard power cycle to get out.
> >
> > Since the disk didn't have any partitions, I thought it might be an MBR
> > issue. So I tried to restore it using Norton Ghost (gdisk /mbr). That
> > didn't
> > work and I still get the same (AA00) error.
> >
> > Any clues as to what the problem and fix is?
> > --
> > What do you want?
> > Information.
>

Your post was rather vague hence the boiler plate reply. Sounds like
possible hardware failure. Have you run the manufacturer's diagnostic tools?
Disk and drive controller?


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

"John Meehan" wrote:
> Uh-huh. I have indeed read the fine manual. And done plenty of installs.
>
> Including, just before I did my experimentation, a *successful* install on
> this very same drive.
>
> I am not getting to the Win2k Pro screen, much less the license agreement
> screen.
>
> Still clueless about what the error means.
>
> --
> What do you want?
> Information.

I'm trying to be as clear as I can. Unfortunately, the only diagnostic error
message I have is "Disk I/O: Status: 0000AA00".

In answer to your other questions:
My initial suspicion was hardware failure as well. But the drive performs
correctly (as far as I can tell); or at least, I can continue to install and
run Linux on it.

I have not been able to run the manufacturer's diagnostics because the
CD-based programs require Windows (which of course, I can't install), and the
DOS-based ones require a floppy (that I don't have). The few BIOS diagnostics
available to me say everything's OK though.

Ultimately, the question boils down to - 1) Is the problem with the Setup CD
itself (unlikely since it boots, IMO)? 2) Is the problem with the hard drive
(in which case it's something weird), and if so do I need to replace it with
a new drive, or is it something that is reparable?

Having to buy a new version of Windows is not desirable. Neither is having
to buy another hard drive, though it's more palatable than a new Windows CD.

Knowing the meaning of the error message (which was my original question),
will help determine which course I follow.


--
What do you want?
Information.


"Dave Patrick" wrote:

> Your post was rather vague hence the boiler plate reply. Sounds like
> possible hardware failure. Have you run the manufacturer's diagnostic tools?
> Disk and drive controller?
>
>
> --
>
> Regards,
>
> Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
> Microsoft Certified Professional
> Microsoft MVP [Windows]
> http://www.microsoft.com/protect

I'd temp connect a floppy so you can run the manufacturer's tools and
possibly low level format the disk.

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

"John Meehan" wrote:
> I'm trying to be as clear as I can. Unfortunately, the only diagnostic
> error
> message I have is "Disk I/O: Status: 0000AA00".
>
> In answer to your other questions:
> My initial suspicion was hardware failure as well. But the drive performs
> correctly (as far as I can tell); or at least, I can continue to install
> and
> run Linux on it.
>
> I have not been able to run the manufacturer's diagnostics because the
> CD-based programs require Windows (which of course, I can't install), and
> the
> DOS-based ones require a floppy (that I don't have). The few BIOS
> diagnostics
> available to me say everything's OK though.
>
> Ultimately, the question boils down to - 1) Is the problem with the Setup
> CD
> itself (unlikely since it boots, IMO)? 2) Is the problem with the hard
> drive
> (in which case it's something weird), and if so do I need to replace it
> with
> a new drive, or is it something that is reparable?
>
> Having to buy a new version of Windows is not desirable. Neither is having
> to buy another hard drive, though it's more palatable than a new Windows
> CD.
>
> Knowing the meaning of the error message (which was my original question),
> will help determine which course I follow.

Hi John,

What name brand 300 GB IDE drive did you buy?
If it came with a utility disk, run it and see if you can write Zeros to the
drive. Also if you Google again, try the follow and nothing else in your
search......

0000AA00

Id also check ALL cables in the system as it's possible something is loose
but you can't see it enough to tell.

--
All the best,
SG
How to Write a Newsgroup Post:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Usenet



"John Meehan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:95399018-A00C-43D3-B8B8-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> Hi. I've got a weird one. I've tried googling it but I can't find any
> references.
>
> Here's the background:
> a while back, my hard drive died. I got a new 300 GB IDE drive, and as an
> experiment, before I reinstalled Win2K, tried some Linux distros. (Ubuntu
> 7.10 and Zen Walk 4 to be specific). One used GRUB, the other LILO, but
> the
> Linux installs went well, and things worked fine. After all the
> experimentation, I removed all the partitions, and I tried to go back and
> reinstall Win2k from my cdrom.
>
> The CD boots fine, and it loads all the necessary drivers, but instead of
> reaching the first screen (install/repair/etc.) it freezes with a "Disk
> I/O:
> Status: 0000AA00" message. Ctrl-Alt-Del won't reboot the computer, and I
> have
> to do a hard power cycle to get out.
>
> Since the disk didn't have any partitions, I thought it might be an MBR
> issue. So I tried to restore it using Norton Ghost (gdisk /mbr). That
> didn't
> work and I still get the same (AA00) error.
>
> Any clues as to what the problem and fix is?
> --
> What do you want?
> Information.

Sorry, it's taken me so long; I had to buy a USB floppy drive before I could
do anything else, and Xmas shopping season being what it is...

Anyway...

@SG: It's a Western Digital. I haven't had problems with them, despite their
reputation.

And just 0000AA00 pulls up either stuff in German (darn it), or this post.
I'll double check the connectors, just to be sure.

@SG and Dave:
Well, I've *tried* to run the diagnostics, but the program keeps complaining
about a version/drive mismatch. Mind you, according to WD the things are
supposed to be golden. (I.e. I downloaded the ones they say should work.) I'm
tempted to go talk to WD, but I'm not sure it's worth the trouble.

The non-diagnostic tools *do* work, and don't indicate any problems.

I'm still not quite ready to buy a new drive, as I'm sure it's just a SW
issue somewhere, and not a mechanical one. I'm tempted to boot back into a
Linux live CD and use dd to write zeroes to the entire disk. (Since the WD
tools don't work.)

I *have* made some progress, however - the problem is definitely on the
disk, not the CD. Not that I didn't think that before, but now I'm *sure* of
it.

So, I know the problem's on the Disk, I still don't know what the problem
is, or how to fix it. And I still don't know what the error message means
(exactly).
--
What do you want?
Information.


"John Meehan" wrote:

>
> Hi. I've got a weird one. I've tried googling it but I can't find any
> references.
>
> Here's the background:
> a while back, my hard drive died. I got a new 300 GB IDE drive, and as an
> experiment, before I reinstalled Win2K, tried some Linux distros. (Ubuntu
> 7.10 and Zen Walk 4 to be specific). One used GRUB, the other LILO, but the
> Linux installs went well, and things worked fine. After all the
> experimentation, I removed all the partitions, and I tried to go back and
> reinstall Win2k from my cdrom.
>
> The CD boots fine, and it loads all the necessary drivers, but instead of
> reaching the first screen (install/repair/etc.) it freezes with a "Disk I/O:
> Status: 0000AA00" message. Ctrl-Alt-Del won't reboot the computer, and I have
> to do a hard power cycle to get out.
>
> Since the disk didn't have any partitions, I thought it might be an MBR
> issue. So I tried to restore it using Norton Ghost (gdisk /mbr). That didn't
> work and I still get the same (AA00) error.
>
> Any clues as to what the problem and fix is?
> --
> What do you want?
> Information.

John Meehan wrote:

> Sorry, it's taken me so long; I had to buy a USB floppy drive before I could
> do anything else, and Xmas shopping season being what it is...
>
> Anyway...
>
> @SG: It's a Western Digital. I haven't had problems with them, despite their
> reputation.
>
> And just 0000AA00 pulls up either stuff in German (darn it), or this post.
> I'll double check the connectors, just to be sure.
>
> @SG and Dave:
> Well, I've *tried* to run the diagnostics, but the program keeps complaining
> about a version/drive mismatch. Mind you, according to WD the things are
> supposed to be golden. (I.e. I downloaded the ones they say should work.) I'm
> tempted to go talk to WD, but I'm not sure it's worth the trouble.
>
> The non-diagnostic tools *do* work, and don't indicate any problems.
>
> I'm still not quite ready to buy a new drive, as I'm sure it's just a SW
> issue somewhere, and not a mechanical one. I'm tempted to boot back into a
> Linux live CD and use dd to write zeroes to the entire disk. (Since the WD
> tools don't work.)
>
> I *have* made some progress, however - the problem is definitely on the
> disk, not the CD. Not that I didn't think that before, but now I'm *sure* of
> it.
>
> So, I know the problem's on the Disk, I still don't know what the problem
> is, or how to fix it. And I still don't know what the error message means
> (exactly).
> --
> What do you want?
> Information.
>
> "John Meehan" wrote:
>
> >
> > Hi. I've got a weird one. I've tried googling it but I can't find any
> > references.
> >
> > Here's the background:
> > a while back, my hard drive died. I got a new 300 GB IDE drive, and as an
> > experiment, before I reinstalled Win2K, tried some Linux distros. (Ubuntu
> > 7.10 and Zen Walk 4 to be specific). One used GRUB, the other LILO, but the
> > Linux installs went well, and things worked fine. After all the
> > experimentation, I removed all the partitions, and I tried to go back and
> > reinstall Win2k from my cdrom.
> >
> > The CD boots fine, and it loads all the necessary drivers, but instead of
> > reaching the first screen (install/repair/etc.) it freezes with a "Disk I/O:
> > Status: 0000AA00" message. Ctrl-Alt-Del won't reboot the computer, and I have
> > to do a hard power cycle to get out.
> >
> > Since the disk didn't have any partitions, I thought it might be an MBR
> > issue. So I tried to restore it using Norton Ghost (gdisk /mbr). That didn't
> > work and I still get the same (AA00) error.
> >
> > Any clues as to what the problem and fix is?
> > --
> > What do you want?
> > Information.

Win 2000 does not natively recognize drives larger than ~137Gb and is probably
throwing the first error msg it comes to. Support for large drives comes w/ SP4.

Yah. Which is why I pre-partitioned it to 120 GB before setup. Didn't help,
sad to say.

--
What do you want?
Information.


"(E-Mail Removed)" wrote:
>
> Win 2000 does not natively recognize drives larger than ~137Gb and is probably
> throwing the first error msg it comes to. Support for large drives comes w/ SP4.
>

>