Help with reinstalling XP Home

2008-10-26 16:51:33

#26

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6464|Winland

My vote is for the mobo. Being such an old thing (Dates back to what, 2001-2002), the caps are probably dried up since quite a while ago, and have simply gone too bad for normal operation now.

The averege lifespan of capacitors in a computer is just around 5-8 years at max.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2008-10-26 16:53:11

#27

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6247|Toronto

Scorpion0x17 wrote:
TSI wrote:
Scorpion0x17 wrote:
I'm gonna stick my neck out here, but I reckons it's your power supply.

It doesn't matter - it's not even getting that far - something hardware has died or is dying.
Okay, so how do I check that it's the PSU? I suppose I have to switch it with that of another comp?
Yuppers. And you need to make sure the one you're swapping in is of high enough rating to power your spec of hardware, and ideally is known to work with said spec of hardware.

You got it. I'll take it out of this comp; I'll report back in 5-10 mins.

I like pie.

2008-10-26 16:54:02

#28

Scorpion0x17: can detect anyone's visible post count...; +691|7032|Cambridge (UK)

Freezer7Pro wrote:
My vote is for the mobo. Being such an old thing (Dates back to what, 2001-2002), the caps are probably dried up since quite a while ago, and have simply gone too bad for normal operation now.

The averege lifespan of capacitors in a computer is just around 5-8 years at max.

That would be my second bet. Third I'd put RAM, then CPU, then HDD, finally 'other'.

2008-10-26 17:12:06

#29

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6247|Toronto

Okay. It's not the PSU. I tried 'em both in and out. So what do I check the mobo for?

Furthermore:

@Freezer: I have a 1998 Dell which I've kept in running condition since I we bought it. It's in fact beside me now, and it runs fine. I've never touched the mobo.

About 2 days ago, I got as far as the Windows setup with the old HDD. It asked for the repair console, but when selected, stated that some Win32 file was corrupted. Later, on the new HDD, I got to the Windows setup, but it said that there was a file missing.

Last edited by TSI (2008-10-26 17:14:40)

I like pie.

2008-10-26 17:15:31

#30

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6464|Winland

TSI wrote:
Okay. It's not the PSU. I tried 'em both in and out. So what do I check the mobo for?

https://www.jasongraphix.com/archive/images/bad_capacitors.jpg

A dried up cap can't always be spotted.

TSI wrote:
@Freezer: I have a 1998 Dell which I've kept in running condition since I we bought it. It's in fact beside me now, and it runs fine. I've never touched the mobo.

About 2 days ago, I got as far as the Windows setup with the old HDD. It asked for the repair console, but when selected, stated that some Win32 file was corrupted. Later, on the new HDD, I got to the Windows setup, but it said that there was a file missing.

Not all caps have that short of a lifespan. Many can last well over 20 years.

The thing is, that around 2001 through 2003-4, capacitors were horrible.

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

Last edited by Freezer7Pro (2008-10-26 17:19:26)

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2008-10-26 17:18:14

#31

Scorpion0x17: can detect anyone's visible post count...; +691|7032|Cambridge (UK)

you need to look for things like this:

https://www.capacitorlab.com/capacitor-types-electrolytic/radial-capacitor-polarity.jpg

to see if any look like this:

https://farm1.static.flickr.com/155/406397181_0216fdaa91.jpg?v=1172722009

If they do, that's the problem.

If not, well, that still doesn't rule out the mobo.

But, we should start to rule things out that are easy to rule out - the HDD(s) are the easiest - whilst you've got your PC open - just disconnect the power and data cables from the HDD(s), then try switching it on again - does it get any further through the boot sequence?

Last edited by Scorpion0x17 (2008-10-26 17:18:49)

2008-10-26 17:19:19

#32

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|6848|SE London

Try another install disk.

edit: or not....

Last edited by Bertster7 (2008-10-26 17:21:12)

2008-10-26 17:20:57

#33

Scorpion0x17: can detect anyone's visible post count...; +691|7032|Cambridge (UK)

Bertster7 wrote:
Try another install disk.

Read the thread dude!

It's not his OS install, it's hardware.

2008-10-26 17:21:50

#34

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6247|Toronto

Freezer7Pro wrote:
TSI wrote:
Okay. It's not the PSU. I tried 'em both in and out. So what do I check the mobo for?
http://www.jasongraphix.com/archive/ima … citors.jpg

A dried up cap can't always be spotted.
TSI wrote:
@Freezer: I have a 1998 Dell which I've kept in running condition since I we bought it. It's in fact beside me now, and it runs fine. I've never touched the mobo.

About 2 days ago, I got as far as the Windows setup with the old HDD. It asked for the repair console, but when selected, stated that some Win32 file was corrupted. Later, on the new HDD, I got to the Windows setup, but it said that there was a file missing.
Not all caps have that short of a lifespan. Many can last well over 20 years.

The thing is, that around 2001 through 2003-4, capacitors were horrible.

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

Okay, fair enough. From what I can see, they all look fine, all look aligned too.

@Scorp: When I unplug the HDD, I get to the same place, except that there's this one line of text sying:
"DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER"

@Bertster: I have. No worky.

Last edited by TSI (2008-10-26 17:23:53)

I like pie.

2008-10-26 17:22:38

#35

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|6848|SE London

Scorpion0x17 wrote:
Bertster7 wrote:
Try another install disk.
Read the thread dude!

It's not his OS install, it's hardware.

Have done now. My bet is power management on Mobo.

2008-10-26 17:25:32

#36

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|6848|SE London

TSI wrote:
Freezer7Pro wrote:
TSI wrote:
Okay. It's not the PSU. I tried 'em both in and out. So what do I check the mobo for?
http://www.jasongraphix.com/archive/ima … citors.jpg

A dried up cap can't always be spotted.
TSI wrote:
@Freezer: I have a 1998 Dell which I've kept in running condition since I we bought it. It's in fact beside me now, and it runs fine. I've never touched the mobo.

About 2 days ago, I got as far as the Windows setup with the old HDD. It asked for the repair console, but when selected, stated that some Win32 file was corrupted. Later, on the new HDD, I got to the Windows setup, but it said that there was a file missing.
Not all caps have that short of a lifespan. Many can last well over 20 years.

The thing is, that around 2001 through 2003-4, capacitors were horrible.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague
Okay, fair enough. From what I can see, they all look fine, all look aligned too.

@Bertster: When I unplug the HDD, I get to the same place, except that there's this one line of text sying:
"DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER"

Woah....

Hang on. That doesn't really mean it's hardware. There could be loads of things causing that. All that means is it isn't finding any bootable volumes.

Unplug your hard drive. Boot to a bootable CD.

Could well be a faulty hard drive...

Last edited by Bertster7 (2008-10-26 17:26:16)

2008-10-26 17:25:52

#37

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6247|Toronto

WAIT!!! I took out the CMOS battery for 12 minutes: now it's going into Windows setup!!!!

Last edited by TSI (2008-10-26 17:26:50)

I like pie.

2008-10-26 17:27:30

#38

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6247|Toronto

Bertster7 wrote:
TSI wrote:
Freezer7Pro wrote:
TSI wrote:
Okay. It's not the PSU. I tried 'em both in and out. So what do I check the mobo for?
http://www.jasongraphix.com/archive/ima … citors.jpg

A dried up cap can't always be spotted.

Not all caps have that short of a lifespan. Many can last well over 20 years.

The thing is, that around 2001 through 2003-4, capacitors were horrible.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague
Okay, fair enough. From what I can see, they all look fine, all look aligned too.

@Bertster: When I unplug the HDD, I get to the same place, except that there's this one line of text sying:
"DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER"
Woah....

Hang on. That doesn't really mean it's hardware. There could be loads of things causing that. All that means is it isn't finding any bootable volumes.

Unplug your hard drive. Boot to a bootable CD.

Could well be a faulty hard drive...

Yeah...that's what was the problem with the old one...hence my purchasing a new HDD.

I like pie.

2008-10-26 17:28:58

#39

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6247|Toronto

Okay, so I got to the Windows installation bit, and it works. When it asked for the recovery console/fresh install, I selected fresh install. Now it tells me that it can't continue because there's no detected HDDs. Kinda strange, given that the BIOS reads that I have one.

I like pie.

2008-10-26 17:29:25

#40

Brasso: member; +1,549|6897

12 minutes is more than enough, 10 seconds should have done it...

"people in ny have a general idea of how to drive. one of the pedals goes forward the other one prevents you from dying"

2008-10-26 17:38:49

#41

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6247|Toronto

Okay, I've tried another HDD, same result. It's now officially a problem of my comp not seeing the HDD. Anyone know how to solve this?

I like pie.

2008-10-26 17:41:59

#42

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|6848|SE London

TSI wrote:
Okay, I've tried another HDD, same result. It's now officially a problem of my comp not seeing the HDD. Anyone know how to solve this?

You sure your jumper settings are all ok?

Possibly try fdisk from recovery console.

Try a different cable.

2008-10-26 17:53:09

#43

Scorpion0x17: can detect anyone's visible post count...; +691|7032|Cambridge (UK)

@TSI: As Bertster said, make sure the jumpers on the HDD are correct, and try a different cable.

Personally, I think it's starting to sound like a dying HDD controller (on the mobo - no way to tell other than to swap the mobo out).

2008-10-26 17:56:14

#44

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6247|Toronto

It won't let me go into recovery console. Tried a diff. cable, no go.

I like pie.

2008-10-26 17:57:25

#45

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6247|Toronto

Scorpion0x17 wrote:
@TSI: As Bertster said, make sure the jumpers on the HDD are correct, and try a different cable.

Personally, I think it's starting to sound like a dying HDD controller (on the mobo - no way to tell other than to swap the mobo out).

Shit.
But wouldn't that mean that the BIOS/CMOS wouldn't see it either?

-edit: If i flash a new BIOS, would that help any?

Last edited by TSI (2008-10-26 17:58:59)

I like pie.

2008-10-26 18:04:32

#46

nukchebi0: Пушкин, наше всё; +387|6590|New Haven, CT

Is there a BIOS setting that dictates which HDDs are noticed? I know that on my first computer, I couldn't get my SATA HDD recognized until I tweaked some BIOS settings with primary drive and RAID. Something might be similar in yours.

2008-10-26 18:05:32

#47

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|6848|SE London

nukchebi0 wrote:
Is there a BIOS setting that dictates which HDDs are noticed? I know that on my first computer, I couldn't get my SATA HDD recognized until I tweaked some BIOS settings with primary drive and RAID. Something might be similar in yours.

Doubt it. Not for PATA drives.

2008-10-26 18:08:33

#48

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6247|Toronto

Bertster7 wrote:
nukchebi0 wrote:
Is there a BIOS setting that dictates which HDDs are noticed? I know that on my first computer, I couldn't get my SATA HDD recognized until I tweaked some BIOS settings with primary drive and RAID. Something might be similar in yours.
Doubt it. Not for PATA drives.

Indeed not. This comp was built in 2002. There's nothing about RAID in it. Perhaps if I try putting it as primary Master?
Didn't work. [sigh]. I guess I'll buy a new mobo this week.

Last edited by TSI (2008-10-26 18:13:14)

I like pie.

2008-10-26 18:20:24

#49

Scorpion0x17: can detect anyone's visible post count...; +691|7032|Cambridge (UK)

TSI wrote:
Scorpion0x17 wrote:
@TSI: As Bertster said, make sure the jumpers on the HDD are correct, and try a different cable.

Personally, I think it's starting to sound like a dying HDD controller (on the mobo - no way to tell other than to swap the mobo out).
Shit.
But wouldn't that mean that the BIOS/CMOS wouldn't see it either?

Nope. I've had very similar issues. It all depends on exactly what's died where as to what will show up when.

TSI wrote:
-edit: If i flash a new BIOS, would that help any?

It's not gonna make it any worse.

BUT, before you do that - double check that it's not the HDD by connecting up to your working PC - connect it as a slave, you should then be able to see and browse the disk from the windows install on that PC.

BF2S Forums Help with reinstalling XP Home

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

TSI wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

TSI wrote:

TSI wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

TSI wrote:

TSI wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

TSI wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

TSI wrote:

TSI wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

TSI wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

TSI wrote:

TSI wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

nukchebi0 wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

nukchebi0 wrote:

TSI wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

TSI wrote:

Board footer