Unable to install Operating System

[DustyB]

Okay, this is a continuation of a post under another subject line. I did
this to limit "subject creep"...

I'm trying to install a fresh copy of XP Pro. After the format, it goes
through the installation of Windows, and gets to the, "Remove any disks in
drive A:", and reboot.

It goes through the boot up process, gets to the "Press any key to boot from
CD..." part. So, since I want it to boot from the HD, I leave it alone, and
it always fails with:
"A disk read error occurred"
"Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart"

What I've done:
Tested the memory w/standalone test - passed
Tested the HD w/standalone DFT - passed
Upgraded the BIOS to latest from Dell - XP2 (A09+1)
Replace the HD with a new, fresh off the shelf item
Purchased a new, shrink-wrapped XP Pro full installation package
Replaced the CD reader
Completely cleared the disk to all blank (RAW) and reformatted w/NTFS

This same result began on an otherwise perfectly functioning system, while I
was trying to clean up my disk, deleting things, housekeeping and so on. I
thought I'd blown some aspect of my XP installation, so I thought I'd do a
recovery. But everything I do gets the same result.

This isn't the first OS I've installed, so unless I just got stupid
overnight (always a possibility) I can't believe that I've left something
out.

That means that I'm flat outta ideas. Any help out there? Does anybody
have an inkling of something simple that I must have neglected to consider
that's causing this kind of problem?

Regards all,
DustyB
Dell Dimension 8100 at XP2 BIOS (flashed, was A06), 1/2 a 'G' of RAM, empty
80GB disk, XP Pro SP2 installation CD

NB: While you're at it, can someone send me the name & address of the
character at Microsoft, that PURPOSE designed a MICROSOFT keyboard so that
it would come up BY DEFAULT in a function key mode THAT'S COMPLETELY USELESS
at start-up? I want to invite all of the dogs in Redmond to take a crap on
his lawn!

 

[Justin Haygood]

1. Check the BIOS to see if it will boot from the HDD. <-- Most likely done
2. Make sure you're using an 80-pin IDE cable and not a 40-pin IDE
cable. This can cause problems and headaches, I've seen it happen
3. Try and see if Mandriva Move (aka Mandrakemove) can boot and read the
hard drive. Or, boot into recovery mode on the XP CD and see if you can
navigate the files on the HDD.

--Justin Haygood

 

[wayfarrer]

With that message I'd suspect either a defective IDE cable or invalid/corrupt
MBR. I'd replace the cable first.

 

[DustyB]

Hello Justin,

1. Check the BIOS to see if it will boot from the HDD. <-- Most likely

done
Yes. Boot order is: A:, CD, HDD

2. Make sure you're using an 80-pin IDE cable and not a 40-pin IDE
cable. This can cause problems and headaches, I've seen it happen

Using the same cable the unit was shipped with. Been working for the past
couple of years running XP Pro, so I'm guessing it should still be okay.
Besides, I've formatted and run HDD tests, and they worked just fine.
Unless I miss my guess, I'd expect that part of the system to be working
just fine... Or?

3. Try and see if Mandriva Move (aka Mandrakemove) can boot and read the

Help me out here. Just what am I supposed to do with a Linux program? How
would I get it and use it? Any tips gratefully appreciated...

hard drive. Or, boot into recovery mode on the XP CD and see if you can
navigate the files on the HDD.

Yes. Did that. I could find and navigate. The files are there...!

Thanks for the tips...but I'm still waiting for a winner...(;-o)!

DustyB
....

 

[Kenny]

Sorry can't help with your problem but I do agree with you about the
function keys on MS keyboards, I have one too.

 

[DustyB]

Hello "wayfarrer";

With that message I'd suspect either a defective IDE cable or invalid/corrupt
MBR. I'd replace the cable first.

As soon as this post gets sent, I'll rip out the old cable and put in one of
the new ones to give this a shot (do I *sound* like I'm grasping at
straws?).

But, puzzle me this: I did a long, thorough, detailed HDD test. It passed.
I did a format--several dozen, actually--and they succeeded as well. I was
reading files on the disk through the recovery console. While I'm sure my
diagnostic skills are a bit rusty, I don't think I'm that far off...

I'll post back as soon as I try a new cable.

L8r,
Dusty

 

[DustyB]

Okay, I swapped out the cable. And, as expected, it did NADA!

Any body else like to take a lash at it...?

DustyB

Hello "wayfarrer";


As soon as this post gets sent, I'll rip out the old cable and put in one of
the new ones to give this a shot (do I *sound* like I'm grasping at
straws?).

But, puzzle me this: I did a long, thorough, detailed HDD test. It passed.
I did a format--several dozen, actually--and they succeeded as well. I was
reading files on the disk through the recovery console. While I'm sure my
diagnostic skills are a bit rusty, I don't think I'm that far off...

I'll post back as soon as I try a new cable.

L8r,
Dusty

....

 

[wayfarrer]

How about repairing the MBR? Can you access the Recovery Console via the CD? If
so, enter "fixmbr", w/o the quotes, at the command prompt.

I understand that running "chkdsk /r" from the RC may be able to repair the
geometry changes made to the Windows Boot Manager.

That's all I know. Good luck!

 

[DustyB]

Thanks for the tips, "wayfarrer". I did as you suggested.

How about repairing the MBR? Can you access the Recovery Console via the CD? If
so, enter "fixmbr", w/o the quotes, at the command prompt.

Did that. Ran "fixboot" as well. NADA!

I understand that running "chkdsk /r" from the RC may be able to repair the
geometry changes made to the Windows Boot Manager.

Did that as well. All though at the moment I'm rerunning it, as I couldn't
recollect if I'd set the '/r' flag.

That's all I know. Good luck!

Thanks anyway. Althought they didn't work, I appreciate the helpful tips...

DustyB
....

 

[Li'l Roberto]

Okay, this is a continuation of a post under another subject line. I
did
this to limit "subject creep"...

I'm trying to install a fresh copy of XP Pro. After the format, it
goes
through the installation of Windows, and gets to the, "Remove any
disks in
drive A:", and reboot.

I'm puzzled by this, if you are booting and installing from the
XP CD, Floppy drive A: shouldn't be in the equation.
Do you have the boot sequence set to CD-ROM, HDD, FDD, looks like
it's set to FDD first and given that there is no OS on the HDD yet
only the setup files, boot will fail.

Or are you saying the full installation process completes [ 45 minutes
or so ] and then it fails on the first reboot afterwards.

But do refresh you memory by reading this article maybe it will
help
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316941

FWIW I always create a primary partition during the setup process,
it appears as if you are doing it the old win9X way

rgds
Li'l Roberto

 

[Peter Foldes]

Dusty

Just a simple question. After you installed the Operating System XP did you
take out the installation CD when you rebooted? Usually when Boot from CD
comes up it means that the CD is still in your CD-ROM and your system will
never boot up from your HD then.

 

[DustyB]

Hello Peter;

Dusty

Just a simple question. After you installed the Operating System XP did you
take out the installation CD when you rebooted? Usually when Boot from CD
comes up it means that the CD is still in your CD-ROM and your system will
never boot up from your HD then.

Never? I think that it asks, and if you don't press "any key" it bypasses
the CD and goes to the HDD. At least that's what it appears to do. Also,
FWIW; yes, I did try it (many times, just to be sure) by also removing the
CD. Still no go!

My boot device sequence list is: floppy, CD, HDD

Any other suggestions?

DustyB
....

 

[DustyB]

Hello again, "Li'l Roberto";

Plz keep in mind that the last thing I ran before I had all of these
problems, was _your_ suggestion to run "bootvis". (;-o)! So I hope you
don't hold it against me if I'm a bit *more* careful this time around .
See? I *am* trainable...-o)!

I'm puzzled by this, if you are booting and installing from the
XP CD, Floppy drive A: shouldn't be in the equation.

I suspect that the message is an artifact.

Do you have the boot sequence set to CD-ROM, HDD, FDD, looks like
it's set to FDD first and given that there is no OS on the HDD yet
only the setup files, boot will fail.

You'll need to convince me about that. I have the boot order set to:
floppy, CD, HDD. I'm pretty sure it'll work...cuz it has for the last
couple of years (unless I forgot the exact settings, of course).

Or are you saying the full installation process completes [ 45 minutes
or so ] and then it fails on the first reboot afterwards.

Well, it only takes about 3 or 4 minutes; but yes, it's that first boot
after the OS is loaded.

But do refresh you memory by reading this article maybe it will
help
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316941

Thanks. On your recommendation, I read it. And nothing's changed...

FWIW I always create a primary partition during the setup process,

As did I. But I did use the whole drive, as I now have two 80GB Hitatchi's
(stock was a 60).

it appears as if you are doing it the old win9X way

You'll need to elucidate that for me. I *thought* that I was simply
following the "normal" install procedures. I've installed XP (successfully)
at least a dozen times (on this machine with that software, as well as
verious others), so while I may well be wrong about something, I'm not (too
much of a) newbie at it...

rgds
Li'l Roberto

Thanks for the chance to chew it through with ya, bud. Keep the cards and
letter comin' in folks. I've *gotta* get that damn thing fixed!


Dusty
....

 

[T. Waters]

Did you read what L'il Roberto said?
"Do you have the boot sequence set to CD-ROM, HDD, FDD, looks like
it's set to FDD first and given that there is no OS on the HDD yet
only the setup files, boot will fail."

 

[DustyB]

Did you read what L'il Roberto said?

I did.

"Do you have the boot sequence set to CD-ROM, HDD, FDD, looks like
it's set to FDD first and given that there is no OS on the HDD yet
only the setup files, boot will fail."

Okay. I can grok that.

While I *will* try it as soon as this post is off. On the otherhand, puzzle
me this: how could you ever boot from a floppy (for instance: for
diagnostics) once the OS has been installed?

Thanks for the tip. I'm off to give it a lash.


Dusty
....

 

[HeeroYuy]

I did.

Okay. I can grok that.

While I *will* try it as soon as this post is off. On the otherhand,
puzzle
me this: how could you ever boot from a floppy (for instance: for
diagnostics) once the OS has been installed?

Thanks for the tip. I'm off to give it a lash.

Here's how you do that. Set the boot priority to this EXACT boot order:

1. CD-ROM Drive
2. Floppy Disk Drive
3. Hard Disk Drive
4. Network Boot (if option is available)

Unlike the CD-ROM drive, the Floppy Disk Drive doesn't need to be first in
the list to be able to boot successfully from it, but it without a doubt
needs to be set to boot BEFORE the Hard Disk Drive.

 

[DustyB]

Did you read what L'il Roberto said?
"Do you have the boot sequence set to CD-ROM, HDD, FDD, looks like
it's set to FDD first and given that there is no OS on the HDD yet
only the setup files, boot will fail."

Okay. Did that. Same result...NADA!

I didn't think what you'd proposed was correct. But given my track record
so far, I was willing to eat any crow, try any trick, do any unnatural
act...what ever it takes...<big sigh!>

I think I'm gonna open a bottle of wine and throw that machine in the trash.
See you guyz in the AM...


Dusty
....

 

[DustyB]

....

Here's how you do that. Set the boot priority to this EXACT boot order:

1. CD-ROM Drive
2. Floppy Disk Drive
3. Hard Disk Drive
4. Network Boot (if option is available)

Unlike the CD-ROM drive, the Floppy Disk Drive doesn't need to be first in
the list to be able to boot successfully from it, but it without a doubt
needs to be set to boot BEFORE the Hard Disk Drive.

Okay. Stand by...I'll give it a try.

Same thing. No difference. Still NADA!

I'm pretty sure that the order of devices only has to do with precedence,
not function.

Thanks anyway...and keep the cards and letters comin' in, folks. I've gotta
get this thing figured out.


Dusty

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Dusty

Just a simple question. After you installed the Operating System XP
did you take out the installation CD when you rebooted? Usually when
Boot from CD comes up it means that the CD is still in your CD-ROM
and your system will never boot up from your HD then.

No need to take out the XP CD, if you don't press a key it will continue to
boot from hard drive.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Darrell S]

Press any key when that "Press any key to boot from CD..." comes up. You
want to boot from your system CD while you install XP Pro. This is NOT
asking you how you want to boot AFTER you've installed your system. You
can't boot from the hard drive if it's only formatted but still blank until
you install XP.