boot into safe mode...cant boot into winxp

[DragonReborn]

haven't changed any settings...tried to run chkdsk /r but it couldn't finish.

really annoying.

bios is set to default.

 

[DragonReborn]

ok...so i heard something spin up then stop right when windoes tries to load. couldn't figure it out so i systematically unplugged all of my ide devices. When i unplugged my storage ide drive....BAM windows booted right up. dammit.

i needed the data off of that drive so i put it in an external enclosure and now copying the files onto my other hard drive.

here's what i need to know, though: since it is working in the external drive (perfect reading/writing so far) does that mean it is my mobo or ide cable that is the actual culprit?

i am going to put another ide hard drive in my system and see if it stalls my boot up. if it does, then it was my hard drive. if it doesn't then i will change the ide cable...if that doesn't work it's my one day old mobo......