Strange Boot Problem

[RobFDB]

Everytime I boot from cold (not restarts) my system won't boot successfully for ages. It will take anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours of restarting before it finally boots. Sometimes its enough to leave it on the BIOS screen for 10 minutes, or to let it run Memtest86+ for 10 minutes but other times it doesnt matter. The point it locks at is when it starts to load Windows 2000 Pro, when you get the white segmented bar at the bottom, before the Windows 2000 logo loading screen. It will get to about the 4th bar along and just stop. I've tried safe mode and it hangs on one part of the load, but i cant remember what file it is (i'll update the thread tomorrow with it). This all started when i swapped out my Pioneer DVD-ROM drive and Asus CD-RW for a Plextor DVD-ROM and Samsung DVD-RW. It makes me think it has something to do with them but i dont know how to go about fixing this. And no, i dont have either of my old drives still.

 

[imported_Tick]

Corrupted HD.

 

[us3rnotfound]

I'm wondering if there is a major jumper installation issue with the optical drives, which is making the system hang. Check on those.

 

[stevty2889]

Try disconnecting the new drives 1 at a time and see if you can boot up ok..and check the jumpers like us3 said.