Strange computer booting problems

[letsgetsilly]

Hi all,

I've Been having a major headache, I hope you can help. I've Gone through several different re-builds and a dozen XP installations and I'm pretty frazzled. Here's the story:

I'm able to turn on the computer without trouble, but sometimes it pauses during IDE detection and takes a LONG time to detect, sometimes not (I can't find a pattern there).

When I get it to boot off CD and install windows, installation will go through fine, computer boots up usually normal (had one instance where I couldn't see the Icons). Then, on the next reboot (or sometimes 3rd reboot) it just comes up and gives the "INVALID BOOT DISK" message, as if there isn't an operating system installed on the disk.

I've done 3 different hard drives, same result. I thought it might be the IDE controller, so I swapped the motherboard out and put in this really old crappy Socket-A board that had never been used, but I have the same issue on reboot, so I don't think it's the motherboard.

I've swapped memory and even CPU, same problem keeps happening. I put in my current working hard drive with windows installed and tried to boot off of that in safe mode, received blue screen of death.

Here is the system that I'm using:

Asus A7n8X Deluxe motherboard / also another generic MB for testing
Athlon XP 2400+ and Athlon XP 2100+ (switched them in and out)
Various DDR Memory
Several different hard drives
AGP 800GTO vid card.
New Ultra Wizard case

This is my old system that I had running for a long time on it's own. I also picked up a few misc. items from a friend's old computer: Athlon XP 2400+ (new), some memory, a hard drive (new).

I'm trying to isolate the variables here, and I'm wondering if the new case isn't the problem. Perhaps it is shorting out some connection, or something (I dunno).

Anyone experienced anything like this? I'm really at my wits end here, don't know what to do other than build the system outside of the case on some cardboard or something. I'd really appreciate any suggestions, thanks in advance!

 

[Chunkee]

1. clean the disk
2. try another optical
3. try another disk

3 if those do not work then MB is problem(or a component)

jC

 

[letsgetsilly]

I've tried clean disks, different windows XP discs, haven't tried a new optical drive but I don't think that's the problem. It copies over fine.

I've switched the motherboards even, there was the same result.

I don't understand where this type of problem can originate from.

Thank you for your input.

 

[Paperdoc]

So far you've tried swapping the mobo, CPU and HDD units, and always have the same problem. I am assuming the HDD controllers in each case have been part of the mobo's, and not a separate controller card.

Since the problem seems to be data on the HDD, I am inclined to think it is NOT in the PSU. However, I guess one could consider that possible, and also a questionable Molex power connector. You suggested some problem with the case and the mobo mounting - worth pursuing. I suggest try a different 40- or 80-conductor data cable ribbon for the HDD. How about a different IDE port (connector) on the mobo, just in case it really is the controller or part of it? Assuming you have more than one device on the IDE port, are you confident they are clearly set for Master and Slave?

"Pauses during IDE detection" intrigues me. Sounds like you have set the BIOS to auto-detect the HDD's. Maybe somehow it auto-detects them wrongly and then cannot read valid data from the drive. To check, when it IS working OK, look in the BIOS as if you plan to set the HDD parameters manually and just record what it says. Then, when it fails, look again and see if they are somehow different. If they are, you could try setting them manually to the parameters that did work, and see if that solves the problem.

 

[letsgetsilly]

Thanks for your reply.

I don't know what a Molex power connector is, but I do think that I have an extra PSU lying around that I can try. I will do that.

I will also try to manually set the hard drive in the BIOS, although I have made a point of making sure it is detecting the same way each time. One of my hard drives I identified as bad during this process.

What is interesting to me is that the computer will successfully boot at least once, at most 3 times. Perhaps something is being done in windows...installing some type of device driver or something that just messes with it so badly that it doesn't recognize there is a bootable OS on the drive?

As far as running my computer outside of a case, what are proper safety procedures? I.E., run it on a hardwood table would be ok? Leave it off conductive material and it will be fine? Thanks again.

 

[Paperdoc]

An IDE hard drive has two connectors. The wide ribbon cable with 40-pin connector is data. The 4-pin connector with four separate colored wires is power, and it's the "Molex" conncetor. Usually there are several on wires coming out of the PSU. So if there's a free one not in use, try it in place of the one already on the drive. Or even, just switch which Molex feeds which device. They are all the same with the same voltages. Note they only fit one way - the connectors have some corners rounded and some squared off. You may not need to swap the entire PSU if the problem is just a poor connector.

To run outside the case requires two key thiings. One is electrical isolation, as you say. The mobo needs to be placed so that it is completely isolated from electrically conductive material. You might set it down on an insulating surface. Or, maybe you can create insulating legs to fasten into the normal holes used for screws to mount to the case. The other thing is to make sure ALL normal connectors are connected - especially power and cooling fans. You cannot run without normal proper cooling on the CPU, even for 10 seconds. And, of course, ensure it is mechanically stable so it does not fall down in the middle of your work.

Sometimes getting cables to reach the mobo outside the case is really difficult. Some of them don't matter. For example, you probably don't need to worry about connecting up a serial or parallel port on the case back, nor audio I/O connectors. Others you can decide whether you need them for the tests or not.

 

[Jiggz]

Have you tested your rams yet? Google Memory Tester and download the one from MS and it's short and quick test. Not the most stringent but will ID bad rams quick.

 

[letsgetsilly]

I haven't tested the ram yet, but I've switched out 3 different sticks, all of which work fine in my other computer. I will give it a shot though, thanks.