Continually lose 'boot files' on hardware changes

[Guest]

I ran across a rather peculiar problem. I installed a new graphics card (PNY
nVidia FX5700) and after many attempts finally got it installed. After
install i lost the 'boot files' and could not start Windows XP Home SP2. I
finally removed all secondary hardware (DVD writer, all PCI cards) leaving
only
HDD 0 and HDD 1 and the master CD-RW. Entered 'recovery console' and used
FIXBOOT and was able to start XP. I added the DVD writer back with no
problem. However, as i added PCI cards again i'd lose 'boot files' and have
to rewrite them. I have everything working and know how to fix should it
occur again (which i believe it will) when i make subsequent hardware
changes. I know this shouldn't happen and hasn't in the past, so i'm
perplexed. If any body has any comments or ideas would be nice. Specs: AMD
Sempron 3300+, Biostar MoBo, 1g RAM, 2-80g Hdd's.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I ran across a rather peculiar problem. I installed a new graphics card (PNY
nVidia FX5700) and after many attempts finally got it installed. After
install i lost the 'boot files' and could not start Windows XP Home SP2. I
finally removed all secondary hardware (DVD writer, all PCI cards) leaving
only
HDD 0 and HDD 1 and the master CD-RW. Entered 'recovery console' and used
FIXBOOT and was able to start XP. I added the DVD writer back with no
problem. However, as i added PCI cards again i'd lose 'boot files' and have
to rewrite them. I have everything working and know how to fix should it
occur again (which i believe it will) when i make subsequent hardware
changes. I know this shouldn't happen and hasn't in the past, so i'm
perplexed. If any body has any comments or ideas would be nice. Specs: AMD
Sempron 3300+, Biostar MoBo, 1g RAM, 2-80g Hdd's.

It would help if you reported exactly what you mean by "lost the boot
files". What files? How do you know they are lost? What happens at
boot time?

 

[Guest]

It would help if you reported exactly what you mean by "lost the boot
files". What files? How do you know they are lost? What happens at
boot time?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

?

 

[Guest]

It would go thru it's BIOS screens (if that's what they are called) The
first text screen shows the graphics card info. The second text screen shows
the BIOS info as well as computer specs (RAM, Hdd's, Optical drives). The
third text screen shows hardware performance (CPU voltage and temp, etc.) and
'Verifying DMI pool data'. From there it is sposed to boot into Windows, but
it would just 'hang'. As far as what files, i guess i really don't know, but
i would suspect boot.ini, NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM. I imagine FIXBOOT
re-writes whatever is missing. I hope thais gives some insight.... Anyway,
if i could get into 'Recovery Console' although getting there was sometimes
'touch and go' as well, i could run FIXBOOT, re-start and it would boot
normally......D

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

This makes it a lot clearer and I can now lay my
crystal ball aside.

While the machine is running nicely, make yourself a
floppy boot disk like so:
- Format a floppy disk your WinXP PC.
- Copy these hidden files A:\
c:\ntldr
c:\ntdetect.com
c:\boot.ini
- Boot the machine with this diskette to make sure that
it works.

When you have the same problem next time, do this:
- Boot the machine with this diskette.
- Find out if the three hidden files listed above are still
present and if they are identical to the copies you have
on your floppy disk, then post the results here.