Tried installing two different card readers...

[Zerhyn]

I first bought and attempted to install the RCR-102. But that didn't work at all, but no problems came from it.
RCR-102


When I attempted to install the Dynex card reader.
Dynex® Internal USB 2.0 Multiformat Media Card Reader - Best Buy Link

It failed to boot while plugged into the motherboard. When I disconnect the card reader from the USB slots, windows still fails to load.
It brings me to the Windows Loading screen, but then goes black from there. And it won't let me boot in safe mode either.

So I am quite perplexed on what I should do next.


Processor: AMD 3200+
Motherboard: K8N Neo Platinum

 

[Bug]

Nm, the Bios shouldn't be relevant.

You could try doing a repair from the Windows cd. Hopefully you've backed up recently.

 

[esquared]

nm

 

[Zerhyn]

Lets say that the windows repair doesn't work. Is it possible for me to install XP on another HD and then recover my files from there?

 

[montag451]

If you just want to recover files, the easiest way would be to put that hdd into another computer as a slave drive.

 

[Zerhyn]

Now what I find interesting is that when I tried to install XP onto another Hard Driveit won't get past the initial installation screen where it is loading everything up. It stops at "Windows is now loading" or something to that effect.

But it will let me boot up another one of my hard drives that has linux on it. Which is what i am posting from now.

So now I am even more perplexed than before.

And suggestions on what might be going on in here?

 

[montag451]

Can you try booting into SAFE mode

 

[Zerhyn]

No. It freezes while trying to load...it stopped at...System32\Drivers\$sys$cor.sys

 

[montag451]

Doh, is that the original Sony rootkit????



Look on google for a bootable rootkit finder.

Apart from that, format-reinstall.

 

[Zerhyn]

well i am trying to format and reinstall... but in windows setup it won't go past "Setup is starting Windows"

and i can't load into command prompt because it freezes at the same place as when I tried loading it in Safe Mode

 

[montag451]

DL and run Live Knoppix.

It doesn't write anything to the hdd, but at least you will be able to see if you have a terminal hw problem or not.

 

[Zerhyn]

Originally posted by: montag451
DL and run Live Knoppix.

It doesn't write anything to the hdd, but at least you will be able to see if you have a terminal hw problem or not.

I'll Give it a shot...

 

[Zerhyn]

Booted with Live Knoppix and came up with "Can't find KNOPPIX filesystem, sorry." in red lettering.

 

[montag451]

wow.

Try setting the cd drive to PIO mode in BIOS, then try Knoppix again.

 

[Zerhyn]

Nope...

Accessing KNOPPIX CD at /dev/hdb...insmod:can't read ' /cdrom/KNOPPIX/modules/cloop.ko: I/O error

 

[montag451]

Hmmmmm,

Are you sure the Knoppix cd is clean?

Also, found this:
When the Knoppix CD first boots it comes up to prompt. Try entering:

knoppix nodma

 

[Zerhyn]

Yes the CD was brand new.

And I will try that command when I get home.

 

[Zerhyn]

yeah it comes up with the same error as before....

oh and thanks for the continued help!

 

[montag451]

One possibility that you might not like, well, 2 in fact.

1 - Are you sure that when you installed the readers, they were connected up the right way?

2 - Faulty card reader has injured your mobo.

 

[Zerhyn]

I did have to try two positions. Which may have done it. This card reader has only five slots. So I thought I put correctly in the first time, but apparently not. I am just curious as to how installing it flipped around or in the wrong place, would damage the motherboard. I would think if anything it would damage the reader. And how does that lead to not being able to boot up windows and being able to install it.


And in the end do you think it would be wise to take it to a computer repair place and let them tinker with it? Or should I just began thinking about replacing the computer or motherboard.

 

[RebateMonger]

If you ever do get stuff working, I recommend DISCONNECTING any card readers or any secondary hard drives while installing Windows. XP regards those readers as pre-existing hard drives and it can mess up your drive lettering sequence, if nothing else.

Install extra hard drives and card readers AFTER Windows is installed.

 

[Captante]

Unfortunately it sounds like you somhow damaged your motherboard when adding/removing one or the other USB card reader ... I hate to ask, but you did turn off the power supply & wait a few minutes before connecting anything right?


Edit: Just a thought ... try going into the BIOS & disabeling all USB controllers... its worth a shot. If that doesn't work you can also try clearing the CMOS on the outside chance that connecting one of the readers caused a weird conflict of some kind.

 

[torjoeb]

you could try Hiren's BootCD, just search on google

 

[torjoeb]

you could try Hiren's BootCD, many nice apps there...search after it on google

 

[Zerhyn]

Originally posted by: Captante
Unfortunately it sounds like you somhow damaged your motherboard when adding/removing one or the other USB card reader ... I hate to ask, but you did turn off the power supply & wait a few minutes before connecting anything right?

I turned off the power supply, but I didn't wait a few moments....maybe like 1 minute.

Edit: Just a thought ... try going into the BIOS & disabeling all USB controllers... its worth a shot. If that doesn't work you can also try clearing the CMOS on the outside chance that connecting one of the readers caused a weird conflict of some kind.

I disabled the USB controllers and cleared the CMOS and none of that did anything.

Oh well I guess. Lessoned learned here is to check the motherboards UND pin arrangment before you start sticking stuff in. I am thinking I just installed it wrong. This computor has lasted a good four years or so. I guess I can just replace it.

Thank your for all of your input and assistance!