Windows XP won't boot

[willkehr]

I just got a new Motherboard (MSI K9N6SGM-V), processor, and memory. I installed a fresh copy of Windows XP SP2 (original SP2 disk), and everything went just fine. After the install finished Windows will not boot, I just get a "_" on the top left of the screen.

The BIOS is set to boot to HD first, but never tries anything else. If I boot the CD and wait a few seconds, it boots to Windows XP just fine, but it can't do it without the CD in the drive.

I have gone to System Recovery and tried fixmbr, fixboot, and configsys (I think) to no avail. I have installed all the drivers that came with the motherboard, still nothing.

I have had the same problem with 3rd party raid drivers, but this is just an IDE hard drive.

Anybody have any other ideas?

 

[mechBgon]

What kind of IDE hard drive is it?

 

[willkehr]

Samsung 160GB. I guess I should mention that I have to run it as Slave for some reason... Don't know why. I have to run it as slave with the DVD burner. When it is by itself as master the same thing happens.

 

[mechBgon]

Fascinating side result: I searched up the board at MSI's website and LOL, they've got a security compromise going on there. Do NOT go to MSI's site for drivers or BIOSes this week, ok?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: willkehr
Samsung 160GB. I guess I should mention that I have to run it as Slave for some reason... Don't know why. I have to run it as slave with the DVD burner. When it is by itself as master the same thing happens.

If possible, put the HDD and DVD on separate cables, and check the drive to see if they have a special Single Master setting. Any good?

 

[willkehr]

I would love to put them on separate cables, but the Mobo only has one IDE port.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: willkehr
I would love to put them on separate cables, but the Mobo only has one IDE port.

If you disconnect the DVD drive, does the system manage to boot from the HDD in that scenario?

 

[willkehr]

Here is what I tried and what I got:

HD=Master, No-DVD, it booted
HD=Master, DVD=Slave, BIOS took ran VERY slow (30+ sec to post) and couldn't really detect the drives properly (it would find them in the BIOS, but not on POST to boot from)
HD=CS(Slave), DVD=CS(Master), No boot
HD=CS(Slave), No-DVD, it Booted

It would appear to be an IDE problem

hmm.... so strange when HD=Master and DVD=Slave. I guess my solution would be to get a SATA drive and be done with it, or just always keep the WinXP CD handy. Or never use my DVD drive.

 

[mechBgon]

Yeah, probably a good idea to get a SATA hard drive for your situation. At least now you can sleep without it nagging on your mind too much :moon: Welcome to the Forums, by the way

 

[willkehr]

Thanks for your help. I have another account, but I forgot my password and security question. Didn't feel like messaging the Admins.