Boot to Windows: Throw the Dice

  • Thread starter Thread starter IconoJett
  • Start date Start date
I

IconoJett

Hi guys,

First time posting and I know I might leave some information out that
will help troubleshoot, so sorry in advance. My girlfriends computer
has been acting really strangely lately. Here are some of the
problems we've been experiencing after installing a brand new WD
120Gig:

- After installing Windows XP fresh to the new HDD we had video
problems where the screen would go crazy (real techincal, I know).
We installed new motherboard drivers and things work better.

-"Disk read error" after post. This comes and goes.
Sometimes you turn on the computer and you get a problem and
sometimes you boot right to Windows fine and dandy. We've replaced
the IDE cables. Whether it works or fails, it's unpredictable.

-"Primary master drive failed". That was the message we got
this morning. We restarted the computer three times and it booted to
Windows. So far, everything is acting as normal but any second now
the gremils inside might act up.

I appreciate any help or advice. I'll be actively checking this post.
This is a fix for my girlfriends computer but also my sanity. Have
mercy on me guys and help me fix this!
 
Well after changing the IDE cables just try to check on the jumper
settings and see whether it will work also try to partition the HDd and
see whether it works.
 
Sounds like you might have just gotten a bad HD, since you've already
ruled a faulty cable. If it was a jumper setting I would assume it
would be an all or nothing thing, works or doesn't work.

Is it too late to return it? In my experience disk read errors rarely
go away, they only get worse.
 
IconoJett said:
Hi guys,

First time posting and I know I might leave some information out that
will help troubleshoot, so sorry in advance. My girlfriends computer
has been acting really strangely lately. Here are some of the
problems we've been experiencing after installing a brand new WD
120Gig:

- After installing Windows XP fresh to the new HDD we had video
problems where the screen would go crazy (real techincal, I know).
We installed new motherboard drivers and things work better.

-"Disk read error" after post. This comes and goes.
Sometimes you turn on the computer and you get a problem and
sometimes you boot right to Windows fine and dandy. We've replaced
the IDE cables. Whether it works or fails, it's unpredictable.

-"Primary master drive failed". That was the message we got
this morning. We restarted the computer three times and it booted to
Windows. So far, everything is acting as normal but any second now
the gremils inside might act up.

I appreciate any help or advice. I'll be actively checking this post.
This is a fix for my girlfriends computer but also my sanity. Have
mercy on me guys and help me fix this!
Click to expand...

Test your new drive
WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows:
http://support.wdc.com/download/downloadxml.asp#3
Follow the directions for the extended test.
If this fails to find a problem post back with your full system specs.
 
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