Newly installed XP will not boot

[cmdrdata]

(Initially post in ACF, but got no response).

I have an older laptop (P2/256MB) running Win2K on a 6BG HD and it
worked fine. I then installed an NTFS formatted 10GB HD in its place (
no jumpers=master drive), and proceeded to install Win XP SP1 (retail
version) to see if this laptop will perform reasonably well. Upon
partial completion of XP installation (XP files copied), it asked the
question on rebooting which I am supposed to answer with reboot from
HD, so that the remaining XP customization can take place. I did that,
and the system reboots, I got the BIOS splash screen and POST, but then
a blank dark screen with a blinking cursor on the upper left. Since
then I've tried the format-install cycle 3 times with the same problem.
Doesn't a new install put everything needed on the drive so it will
boot
correctly?

Googling says that I need to have three files fixed: NTLDR,
ntdetect.com, and boot.ini They exist on the disk, but mindlessly I
went ahead trying the recovery console method, the MBRfix, ntldr
repair, even XXCLONE MBR repair, but, alas, none of these worked. The
HD checked out ok on my desktop (mounted on a USB carrier). the system
utility there, Computer Management says that the HD is healthy.

What could be wrong? I ran various tools from Hirens boot CD, and
none of these tools found any faults with my HD. I can go back to my
6GB HD, and the system will boot normally, so it can't be the laptop
having problem. TIA for your help.

 

[Guest]

(Initially post in ACF, but got no response).

I have an older laptop (P2/256MB) running Win2K on a 6BG HD and it
worked fine. I then installed an NTFS formatted 10GB HD in its place (
no jumpers=master drive), and proceeded to install Win XP SP1 (retail
version) to see if this laptop will perform reasonably well. Upon
partial completion of XP installation (XP files copied), it asked the
question on rebooting which I am supposed to answer with reboot from
HD, so that the remaining XP customization can take place. I did that,
and the system reboots, I got the BIOS splash screen and POST, but then
a blank dark screen with a blinking cursor on the upper left. Since
then I've tried the format-install cycle 3 times with the same problem.
Doesn't a new install put everything needed on the drive so it will
boot
correctly?

Googling says that I need to have three files fixed: NTLDR,
ntdetect.com, and boot.ini They exist on the disk, but mindlessly I
went ahead trying the recovery console method, the MBRfix, ntldr
repair, even XXCLONE MBR repair, but, alas, none of these worked. The
HD checked out ok on my desktop (mounted on a USB carrier). the system
utility there, Computer Management says that the HD is healthy.

What could be wrong? I ran various tools from Hirens boot CD, and
none of these tools found any faults with my HD. I can go back to my
6GB HD, and the system will boot normally, so it can't be the laptop
having problem. TIA for your help.

When you get the blinking cursor on boot it usually means the bios
hasnt loaded and it has not tried to boot from the hdd, check your cmos
battery and bios settings, are you getting any errors relating to
'timing'?

Flamer.

 

[AJR]

Normally, if installing via boot from CD, you are asked about rebooting
"from the CD' - do nothing - setup will continue from the HD without
interaction on your part.

 

[sdlomi2]

(Initially post in ACF, but got no response).

I have an older laptop (P2/256MB) running Win2K on a 6BG HD and it
worked fine. I then installed an NTFS formatted 10GB HD in its place (
no jumpers=master drive), and proceeded to install Win XP SP1 (retail
version) to see if this laptop will perform reasonably well. Upon
partial completion of XP installation (XP files copied), it asked the
question on rebooting which I am supposed to answer with reboot from
HD, so that the remaining XP customization can take place. I did that,
and the system reboots, I got the BIOS splash screen and POST, but then
a blank dark screen with a blinking cursor on the upper left. Since
then I've tried the format-install cycle 3 times with the same problem.
Doesn't a new install put everything needed on the drive so it will
boot
correctly?

Googling says that I need to have three files fixed: NTLDR,
ntdetect.com, and boot.ini They exist on the disk, but mindlessly I
went ahead trying the recovery console method, the MBRfix, ntldr
repair, even XXCLONE MBR repair, but, alas, none of these worked. The
HD checked out ok on my desktop (mounted on a USB carrier). the system
utility there, Computer Management says that the HD is healthy.

What could be wrong? I ran various tools from Hirens boot CD, and
none of these tools found any faults with my HD. I can go back to my
6GB HD, and the system will boot normally, so it can't be the laptop
having problem. TIA for your help.

Doublecheck: was the original, 6GB hd, jumpered as Master? or was it
Cable Select? Make sure the 10GB is jumpered exactly as the 6GB. s

 

[Guest]

Normally, if installing via boot from CD, you are asked about rebooting
"from the CD' - do nothing - setup will continue from the HD without
interaction on your part.

Maybe your BIOS doesn't recognize the drive in some way, but the CD does.
I'm just theorizing here, but maybe your BIOS settings will need to be
reconfigured before you boot off the CD and install. Again, just a theory.

 

[cmdrdata]

When you get the blinking cursor on boot it usually means the bios
hasnt loaded and it has not tried to boot from the hdd, check your cmos
battery and bios settings, are you getting any errors relating to
'timing'?

When this is booting I see the HD light flashed for a few seconds then
the blinking cursor, so I think it has something to do of not finding
some boot info. Recall, the 6GB drive works fine if I re-install it, so
BIOS and battery are ok.

 

[cmdrdata]

Doublecheck: was the original, 6GB hd, jumpered as Master? or was it
Cable Select? Make sure the 10GB is jumpered exactly as the 6GB.

Yup they are set as master (no jumpers on both drives in the 6-pin
group that are segregated from the the other 40(or is it 44?).