cannot format new drive or re-install on old one

[anon]

I assembled my own system a few years ago, biostar M7NCD motherboard, Athlon
2.6ghz processor, about 750mb memory and 160gb hard drive, split into three
partitions C-D-E ( 15gb/15gb/120gb).

I had a problem with XP last week and could not re-install. I tried to
format partition C but then had the error - Invalid Partition, and this
occurs everytime at start up. I have tried to install XP from disk on both
partition C and D, and managed to format and install a few files from disk,
but cannot get any further as the system then reboots and the error
message - invalid partition returns. I've tried repair on both C and D but
the blue error screen shows irql not less or equal, and the system freezes
stating the system has shut down to prevent further damage.

I purchased a new ide 320gb drive to format, install XP and recover the lost
data on the old 160gb drive. Unfortunately I cannot format the new drive
either ! It is 320gb and I use a slipstreamed XP with XP2. One problem is
that any option page is only shown for a brief second ( milliseconds
really ) then the blue error screen appears - irql not less or equal and the
system freezes. I have managed to select several options after many
installations, and progressed to format, it formatted 31% then the blue
error message, the next time it got to 14% and stopped ( don't forget, the
old 160gb drive formatted both 15gb partitions ok ). What options do I have
to try to get this formatted completely ? I thought if the size was the
issue, perhaps if I partitioned say 35gb to install XP on, I could then
address the unformatted area within XP. But pressing C at the relevant point
to partition a particular size has no effect, I have to format the whole
320gb, which I am unable to. I have not installed any new hardware. I've
removed and put back all the removable boards on the motherboard, to give a
'fresh' contact, and i've sucked up all the dust inside.

I've come to the conclusion that if I get one drive with XP working, I will
have a better chance of sorting out the other drive. Which is the easier
drive to solve ?

 

[milleron]

I assembled my own system a few years ago, biostar M7NCD motherboard, Athlon
2.6ghz processor, about 750mb memory and 160gb hard drive, split into three
partitions C-D-E ( 15gb/15gb/120gb).

I had a problem with XP last week and could not re-install. I tried to
format partition C but then had the error - Invalid Partition, and this
occurs everytime at start up. I have tried to install XP from disk on both
partition C and D, and managed to format and install a few files from disk,
but cannot get any further as the system then reboots and the error
message - invalid partition returns. I've tried repair on both C and D but
the blue error screen shows irql not less or equal, and the system freezes
stating the system has shut down to prevent further damage.

I purchased a new ide 320gb drive to format, install XP and recover the lost
data on the old 160gb drive. Unfortunately I cannot format the new drive
either ! It is 320gb and I use a slipstreamed XP with XP2. One problem is
that any option page is only shown for a brief second ( milliseconds
really ) then the blue error screen appears - irql not less or equal and the
system freezes. I have managed to select several options after many
installations, and progressed to format, it formatted 31% then the blue
error message, the next time it got to 14% and stopped ( don't forget, the
old 160gb drive formatted both 15gb partitions ok ). What options do I have
to try to get this formatted completely ? I thought if the size was the
issue, perhaps if I partitioned say 35gb to install XP on, I could then
address the unformatted area within XP. But pressing C at the relevant point
to partition a particular size has no effect, I have to format the whole
320gb, which I am unable to. I have not installed any new hardware. I've
removed and put back all the removable boards on the motherboard, to give a
'fresh' contact, and i've sucked up all the dust inside.

I've come to the conclusion that if I get one drive with XP working, I will
have a better chance of sorting out the other drive. Which is the easier
drive to solve ?

Since you can't install on either hard drive, this REALLY sounds like
a hardware problem in your rather elderly computer. I think that even
if you could finally get all the way through XP setup, the computer
would still be unstable.

Your "IRQ not less or equal" message can come from memory problems.
You say you've "put back all the removable BOARDS," but it's not clear
if you included the RAM in this process. If you didn't include the
memory, remove and reseat it. If you already did, try removing the
DIMMs and reseating them again, this time after cleaning their
contacts. If it still doesn't go, try reseating everything -- video
card, IDE cables, and power cables -- and, finally, removing all the
DIMMs but one. If removing all but one DIMM works, it suggests that
the other one is faulty, and you can test the RAM with Memtest86+. If
none of this works, then run Memtest 86+, anyway. You could also have
developed a problem with one of the DIMM sockets, so it could be
worthwhile to experiment with using a single DIMM in various sockets.

Ron

 

[anon]

Thanks. An update which I should have stated before. With my old drive
installed, when booting my system hangs on message - verifying dmi pool
data. Does that indicate anything else ? Micrsoft site states win98 and ME,
but this is happening with XP. I'll try the leads and memory chips tomorrow.

 

[sgopus]

remove all nonessential hardware leaving only what is necessary to boot, ie
ram and video, then try install, if it works you have a hardware failure. try
adding one piece at a time to narrow down which one.