I've replaced the HD's, replaced the RAM, still won't work...

[ip]

A few days ago my desktop started going through a reboot loop, couldn't even get to Safe Mode. I removed both hard drives and plugged them into my laptop (which itself is overheating but that's another thread) via USB. The drive with Windows (XP Pro) gave me a message saying that it's corrupt and unrecoverable. The data drive was fine. I figured ok, bad HD and took the opportunity to upgrade both.

I installed both new HD's and tried installing Windows. When it got to the point of asking which drive to install to (it found none) I started to get STOP errors with a message about setupdd.sys address f77ef9a8 base at f77c8000, datestamp 41107c8f. I read on the MS site that this is likely bad RAM so out I went to get new RAM. I installed it..... only to get the same error message.

What's next? I appreciate any help.

 

[TheStu]

Motherboard is fried, it is the next piece in the chain.

 

[ip]

Originally posted by: TheStu
Motherboard is fried, it is the next piece in the chain.

Jeez, not what I wanted to hear. That along with the processor are things I have no clue how to replace. Is it worth it to get a barebones at this point or figure out how to replace the MB?

 

[TheStu]

Replacing the motherboard is pretty straightforward. You pull the heatsink off the processor, pull the processor, unplug everything from the mobo, and then unscrew it from the case. On the motherboard will be printed the manufacturer, and the model number. And depending on how old the system is, it may still be under warranty. If it is, then send it in to the manufacturer to get it RMAed.

If the mobo is not under warranty, and you have the money to spend, then you might want to consider replacing it so you can upgrade your system.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: ip
A few days ago my desktop started going through a reboot loop, couldn't even get to Safe Mode. I removed both hard drives and plugged them into my laptop (which itself is overheating but that's another thread) via USB. The drive with Windows (XP Pro) gave me a message saying that it's corrupt and unrecoverable. The data drive was fine. I figured ok, bad HD and took the opportunity to upgrade both.

I installed both new HD's and tried installing Windows. When it got to the point of asking which drive to install to (it found none) I started to get STOP errors with a message about setupdd.sys address f77ef9a8 base at f77c8000, datestamp 41107c8f. I read on the MS site that this is likely bad RAM so out I went to get new RAM. I installed it..... only to get the same error message.

What's next? I appreciate any help.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330181

Simplify. Remove all non-critical PCI cards and all non-critical RAM - just enough to boot. If you have built-in graphics, use those, not a PCIe/AGP card. Can you still repro the problem?

 

[ip]

Originally posted by: dclive


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330181

Simplify. Remove all non-critical PCI cards and all non-critical RAM - just enough to boot. If you have built-in graphics, use those, not a PCIe/AGP card. Can you still repro the problem?

New problem. I tried simplifying, removing any non-essentials (just extra USB ports and 1 stick of RAM) from the MB, and I got just a blinking cursor on startup before the XP disc would run. I reconnected things and still get the blinking cursor... the CD doesn't run. I went into the BIOS and put the DVD player ahead of the HD. On reboot, the Windows disc now loads but I get a message saying Windows didn't detect any hard drives. Huh?

On bootup, the BIOS does detect the 2 hard drives just fine.

What is going on???

 

[dclive]

Do you have a SATA motherboard with RAID set up? If so you'll need to use a driver disk with XP (or integrate your drivers using nLite, or a few other choices.)

 

[ip]

Originally posted by: dclive
Do you have a SATA motherboard with RAID set up? If so you'll need to use a driver disk with XP (or integrate your drivers using nLite, or a few other choices.)

Hmm, I need more explanation... I'm not familiar with this stuff. My old HD's were SATA as well if that means anything. All I did was unplug the old ones and plug in the new ones.

How could I do what you suggested if I don't have Windows installed yet? I do have a SATA-USB adapter to plug into my laptop if needed.

 

[dclive]

Who installed Windows originally on this box, and was an F6 driver disk with the SATA controller driver required?

 

[ip]

Originally posted by: dclive
Who installed Windows originally on this box, and was an F6 driver disk with the SATA controller driver required?

Windows came pre-installed by the builder, Velocity PC. Dunno about the driver, it worked out of the box.

 

[dclive]

I'd suggest finding out what motherboard you have and then downloading the F6 hard disk controller floppy drivers and using that (when prompted, press F6 during XP CD bootup) to install XP. That's possibly why you couldn't find the hard drive(s) before.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314859

 

[dclive]

Did the vendor not include a restore CD? If not, call them up and get one, or do the above.

 

[ip]

I looked through my stuff and there is a floppy disc with Asus SATA drivers for XP but I have no floppy drive. I also have a Support CD for the MB which I assume has the drivers as well, plus a Recover CD from the builder. Should I boot up with the Recover or the motherboard CD?

 

[dclive]

You should try both, but from your description the 'Recover' CD should do the trick. Otherwise, build an integrated CD with nLite that includes the Asus SATA drivers in it. (google nlite for details)

 

[ip]

I guess I should've started with the Recover CD b/c that worked. The new HD's are working fine and all is quiet...

Many thanks for the help.