XP Re-install Failed

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kelkim
  • Start date Start date
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Kelkim

Hi!

My computer started rebooting by itself continously before entering XP. So
now I want to start all over again and re-install XP - well aware that I'll
lose all data.

I booted the computer from CD-drive with my XP install cd and entered setup.
I then pressed enter to install XP. Then it tells me that it CAN'T FIND ANY
HARDDRIVES!!
Now my only option is to press f3 and exit setup - not being able to format
the drive and re-install XP.

So my question is: Wtf happened? Did my harddrive crash? (When I look in
BIOS/setup it seems my harddrive is found, and also when my computer starts
up it initially shows the windows startup logo and then it reboots)

please please please.. I hope someone can help me!!!

Brgds,
 
Not enuff information.

Are you using SCSI drives? Are you using SATA drives. Is the bios configured
to use built-in RAID? Do you have a "Drive Disk" that came with the system
(I'm assuming it's new???). If you have a driver disk, you'll need to press
F6 during the intial setup screens to allow Setup to grab the driver.

Try loading BIOS defaults (if you have that option). Perhaps try "Safe Setup
Mode - or something similar" if available.

Try unplugging the drives (both HDD and DVD/CD), reboot configure BIOS to
have NO DRIVES.

Reboot - of course nothing will boot and yo'll get a "Insert Boot ..."
message.

Power off, then plug your drives back in. Make sure your BIOS recognizes the
drives. Then boot your DVD/CD.

I've seen this in some Award and Phoenix BIOSs. If this fixes it, then you
may want to visit the systems' manufacturing web site and download the
latest BIOS flash.
 
Kelkim said:
Hi!

My computer started rebooting by itself continously before entering XP. So
now I want to start all over again and re-install XP - well aware that
I'll lose all data.

I booted the computer from CD-drive with my XP install cd and entered
setup. I then pressed enter to install XP. Then it tells me that it CAN'T
FIND ANY HARDDRIVES!!
Now my only option is to press f3 and exit setup - not being able to
format the drive and re-install XP.

So my question is: Wtf happened? Did my harddrive crash? (When I look in
BIOS/setup it seems my harddrive is found, and also when my computer
starts up it initially shows the windows startup logo and then it reboots)
Click to expand...

You probably have SATA drives and XP needs to have the controller drivers on
a floppy. Very early in the installation you'll see a prompt to press F6 to
add more drivers. You can use a USB floppy drive if you don't have a
built-in floppy drive in your computer.

Or you can slipstream your drive controller drivers into your installation
media.

Slipstream RAID or SATA controller drivers:
http://www.maximumpc.com/2005/01/how_to_slipstre.html
http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/36/SESSID=8b0c51fd6eca712e465d2e6f79256fc8/

However, depending on exactly when your old installation was rebooting you
may have hardware problems which will not be fixed by a software solution
(reinstalling Windows) so make sure your hardware is good.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot

Malke
 
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