Setup does not continue after XP preinstall and reboot

[mugentuner]

I was trying to do a clean install of xp pro with a new HD and I let XP setup
format
the disc and copy all of its setup files e.t.c. When rebooting the pc, the
Hard drive does not boot up to continue with the install. I've checked the
boot order of the BIOS e.t.c., but it is just stuck on initial startup and
will not boot. Any ideas? I've used fdisk and checked the Hard drive and
the file structure looks to be in place and set as the active partition. Any
help appreciated.

 

[mugentuner]

Yeah, thought about that as well, but i don't have any PCI cards, extra hd's
or even USB devices connected when trying this clean install. I guess i
could try removing a stick of memory and see if that helps. Have now gone
back to fdisk and i'm doing a low level format to see if that works, and then
try a reinstall. If not, will use a 'killdisk' on this drive to wipe it at
least twice and then proceed. The pc is just not responding to this drive
last time i checked and it just sits there with no errors or anything. Very
strange. Whats weird is i've done a clean install on this drive before when
windows got corrupted a while ago. Also, even tried setting the drive
jumpers to 'master' on a single IDE cable and still no go. Any other experts
want to chime in as well? Thanks

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Yeah, thought about that as well, but i don't have any PCI cards, extra
hd's
or even USB devices connected when trying this clean install. I guess i
could try removing a stick of memory and see if that helps. Have now gone
back to fdisk and i'm doing a low level format

fdisk does not format, it partitions, and a genuine low level format can be
a bad idea if it's even possible.

to see if that works,

Again, a genuine low-level format is often not possible.

What you are referring to as a low-level format is likely not, but rather
the "slow" format that checks the disk surface as it runs. The "fast"
format skips this step.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_formatting

and then
try a reinstall. If not, will use a 'killdisk' on this drive to wipe it
at
least twice and then proceed. The pc is just not responding to this drive
last time i checked and it just sits there with no errors or anything.
Very
strange. Whats weird is i've done a clean install on this drive before
when
windows got corrupted a while ago.

Have you ever had automobile brakes wear? For a while they're OK, then
they start to fail.

Also, even tried setting the drive
jumpers to 'master' on a single IDE cable and still no go. Any other
experts
want to chime in as well? Thanks

Substitute another new drive - these are cheap now (where I am, 500 gig
drives are under $70).

If the problem persists, it's not the drive, if the install poroceeds, the
faulty drive is, well, faulty and should be discarded.

HTH
-pk

 

[mugentuner]

Yes, exactly, low level format would zero out the drive I believe.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Yes, exactly, low level format would zero out the drive I believe.

Not really.

A true low-level format is an obsolete technique that used to work
with older hard drives. If you use such a program on a modern drive,
it doesn't zero out the drive, but *destroys* it. They are extremely
dangerous and everyone should be sure to avoid them

Unfortunately there are also some programs available that are called
low-level format, but are not really low-level format programs; they
just zero out the drive, as you say. Although those are not dangerous,
their name confuses the issue, and increases the risk that someone may
use a real low-level format program on a modern drive, and thereby
destroy it.

 

[mugentuner]

I'm running Seatools DOS version on this Seagate HD to see if it can find any
errors and automatically fix them. Will let you guys know the outcome. Seem
to be running out of options with this drive.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Yes, exactly, low level format would zero out the drive I believe.

Not really. In fact it may not be possible for you to do a low-level
format, and even if you were able to, your problems would likely be much
worse. You are likely just doing a high-level format with some disk
checking.

Try another drive, this will show you quickly where the problem exists. If
a new drive works properly, discard the old one.

HTH
-pk