XP boot problem

[stjon]

I have 2 HD's - one set as primary IDE (with OS on) and the other set as
secondary. DVD writer set as primary slave. I've had no problems until
recently, when the setup stops trying to 'Auto detect Primary Master'. Then
it eventually finds a a hard drive, then stops at 'Autodetecting secondary
master'. Then it eventually finds my second drive. Then it shows the Windows
loading screen but for a very long time before eventually starting XP
normally. But my DVD writer has not been detected. I can then access data on
both hard drives as normal.

Occasionally it auto detects very quickly like it used to do, but then hangs
on the loading screen for ages.

Sometimes it gets to the loading screen then resets itself.

I've stopped a few startup programs recently when trying to speed up boot
time, but I don't think they would do this? I've messed about with the BIOS
in desperation but I don't think I've changed anything to do this.

Any help appreciated!

Steve Jones

 

[Bjarke Andersen]

I have 2 HD's - one set as primary IDE (with OS on) and the other set
as secondary. DVD writer set as primary slave. I've had no problems
until recently, when the setup stops trying to 'Auto detect Primary
Master'. Then it eventually finds a a hard drive, then stops at
'Autodetecting secondary master'. Then it eventually finds my second
drive. Then it shows the Windows loading screen but for a very long
time before eventually starting XP normally. But my DVD writer has not
been detected. I can then access data on both hard drives as normal.

Either one of your drives are becoming defunc or likely your BIOS has
incorrect settings.
Check your harddrives with the manufacturers test program.

Have you tried disconnecting your DVD drive and sees if it helps. Plus,
triple check your master and slave settings, make sure you use a fixed
setting and not that one or more of the drives are running with cable
select.

I've stopped a few startup programs recently when trying to speed up
boot time, but I don't think they would do this? I've messed about
with the BIOS in desperation but I don't think I've changed anything
to do this.

You need to make sure what you have done in BIOS.

And this is more likely a hardware problem than a XP problem.