Boot Device Failure after Windows Update

[Will Niccolls]

Hi,

I replaced the HD in an XP Pro machine and reinstalled the OS and some
applications (AV, Office, MS Antispy). Then I used it for a day or two.
Realized AutoUpdates are off so I go to windows update.

The new upate software installed, then a bunch of updates, on restarting, I
got a "BOOT DEVICE FAILURE".

Booting to the XP CD and going to Recovery, I found the WinXP installation.
I did a FIXMBR and it found an invalid boot sector. Repaired it and now all
is well.

Any ideas on what happened? Anyone else seeing a BOOT failure after recent
updates? Or do I have a hardware problem with this 40GB Western Digital
IEDE drive?

Will Niccolls

 

[Guest]

Try start your computer in safe mode. Press on F8 when your computer starts.

 

[Rock]

Hi,

I replaced the HD in an XP Pro machine and reinstalled the OS and some
applications (AV, Office, MS Antispy). Then I used it for a day or two.
Realized AutoUpdates are off so I go to windows update.

The new upate software installed, then a bunch of updates, on restarting, I
got a "BOOT DEVICE FAILURE".

Booting to the XP CD and going to Recovery, I found the WinXP installation.
I did a FIXMBR and it found an invalid boot sector. Repaired it and now all
is well.

Any ideas on what happened? Anyone else seeing a BOOT failure after recent
updates? Or do I have a hardware problem with this 40GB Western Digital
IEDE drive?

Will Niccolls

One way to test the drive is download a drive diagnostic utility from
the Western Digital web site. This will create a boot floppy. Boot
from that and test the drive.

 

[Will Niccolls]

Resolved. User error.

The problem wasn't the master boot record on the new drive, it was that I
was trying to boot the cd device! I had not just demoted the HDD in the
boot order, I'd disabled it. I'm not sure why rcovery console saw a
non-standard or corrupt boot record, but I don't think that was the problem.

Will Niccolls