Error Loading OS - after PC reboot following XP load

[Guest]

Hi, I have installed a new 160gb IDE hard drive. The 120bg existing HD
works, but it got a virus months ago, and after registry manipulation to get
it going again, the system hasn't been the same -- like really slow and
missing programs. So a fresh install on the new drive seemed like the best
bet. The Western Digital program switched the drive names. Then I dropped
in the Windows XP disk. Everything seemed to go okay -- formatting new
partiton, loading XP files, etc.. but when the computer reboots, I get an
"error loading OS" message immediately after the BIOS
memory tests run, at which point everything stops. I have done this twice
now, same result both times.

I removed the original drive and set the jumpers as "slave" when I added the
new drive as "master". I thought it was strange that the computer still
booted up from the now "slave" drive, but I assumed the system was smart
enough to find a set of bootable files.

Actually this problem showed up right after I ran the Western Digital
program from Windows on the old HD. The program asked if I wanted to have
the new drive become the bootable drive. I said "yes", then the program
started copying files from the old drive to the new. A note said that if
there was a problem with the copy, to run ScanDisk and Defrag, then try
again. Sure enough, the copy stopped part way through. I restarted the
machine, and got the "error loading OS" message. I assumed that was normal
since I hadn't loaded any OS yet. This is where I dropped the XP disk in and
reformatted the now C:\drive and loaded XP.

If I boot up to a DOS CD, I can see the Windows folder on C:\ with all the
files (that's all there is on C:\).

Is there any hope?

Thanks, Randy

 

[Guest]

If you can start the Recovery Console prompt, you might havbe some luck with
the command:

fixmbr

or

fixboot

 

[Guest]

Thanks, I'll try these commands. I was in the Recovery Console at one point;
I should be able to get back to it.

I also sent an e-mail to Western Digital to see if this might be part of the
"over 137gb" problem and 24-bit addressing. The format portion of the
Windows XP installation showed the disk as 152,xxx,xxx kb; and if I boot up
to DOS I can read the folders and files on the drive. It looks like all the
folders and files are there. Maybe the fixboot or fixmbr will help. We'll
see...