I've got a diagnostics CD from work that the IT guys use.
Can't boot to it.
I'm beginning to think that the HDD controller is bad on the MB.
As for the drivers, I downloaded EVERY driver and put them on 1 CD. I've got them covered. (I do this for every pc that I build.)

I began the whole fiasco by trying to install XP 'fresh'.

I tried to install again this evening.
New hdd ribbon cable. Cheap fix. Several new ones on the bench.
Wipe disk.
Partition hdd/format hdd.
Install XP.

Same thing.

 

I've built many pcs. Every pc in my house (over 10) with the exception of the laptops (5 of 'em).

I'm not too particularly worried about building a screamer.
This pc is for my youngest son, who's 12 and it will be replacing his hand-me-down P-III 733 mhz machine.
He's actually excited to get this P-IV 2.66 GIG machine.


I talked with one of my IT friends at work, today.

He said that since they are scrapping all of the d530 pcs, he's gonna swap out the MB/CPU/heatsink and fan for me, tomorrow.
I have this out and sitting on the kitchen table, ready to go, in the morning.

I had decided that I was going to buy a MB/CPU and just use this case, if I couldn't get this one running.

Another way to look at this is. . . at least I wasn't sitting in front of the idiot box (TV) for a few hours!

 

have you tried a win98 boot disk too format that drive then do the XP format?

 

HP "tattos" the hard drive to the hardware and the OS. It it a program written to the BIOS that ID the hardware to the OS. I is possible that it is blocking the install.
You can contact HP and get the OEM install CDs if the OEM tags are on the computer.
Best Buy can Tatto the system. FYI!

Rod

 

take the hard drive with you and have the IT guys do the install on one of the other computers BEFORE they swap it out

I'm so glad I bought a new laptop instead of building another desktop

 

Just wanted to ask, you're not hitting any key to boot from cd every time it reboots are you. I've seen people do this many times. Once you hit any key to boot from cd, do not do it anymore, the cd install will take over.

 

That is a good point... I had to read that a few times to understand it..

As clarification he is saying that during installation the PC will reboot and with the disc still in the drive.. When it does you will also get the press any key to boot from CD prompt, but you want to boot from the HD to complete the install..

We are not there to see if this is the case, but if you are doing that, stop it.. Keep your hands in our pockets...

 

Wheres the anykey? DOH!

 

donjamer, thanks for clarifying. I guess I should have slowed down some and made the post more understandable. I'm doing 3 reinstalls right now and surfing FTE during the little breaks I get.

 

You mean your keyboard doesn't have one???

I think I need to take a trip out there to fix that for you..

Just send the airplane tickets and where in business..

 

Here you go...



http://www.ravib.com/images/funny/anykey.jpg

 

Nope. I've done this 'a time or two. . .or three. . . or four'.

No, this is a total 'crash' and re-boot that is occuring.


Trying to consolidate a couple of responses. . . . .

I'm aware of the 'tattoo'. That's why the IT guys gave me the 'restore' cd.
(Proprietary stuff is a real hemmorhoid! Compaq and HP are famous for that.)
Also, the IT guys use a disk called a 'wipe disk' (that one of the guys left in the CD drive). So, the disk was totally 'wiped' clean.
However, the factory 'restore' CD should have allowed an install.


Dang, I wish I had thought of that. I'm sitting at work right now, and today is slow, so, that would have been perfect.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm I wonder if they will miss me for two hours, so that I can run home and . . . . . .

I'll try to coax one of the guys to do the install with a restore cd on a pc and then bring in a HDD on Monday.
I already have the MB under my desk. GREAT idea, AzBlueWolf!

Again, this pc project is for my 12 year old, to replace the dinosaur P-III machine.

Shall I say that this has been "a test of my patience"!?!?!?!?

Thanks for the help guys!! (Keep it coming!!!!!!!!)


Keith

 

What you could do if you don't want to wait till Monday is get a Hardrive utility and write Zero's to the drive completely overwriting all information and partitions including the restore partition that come on the HP's, rendering the drive raw. Then continue with the XP installation. I've personally never had problems with branded drives, however I have had viruses to halt the installation.

 

Did that. That's what the 'wipe disk' that the IT guys use.

 

Had similar problems with the kids PIII HP system, when doing a clean install, I tried installing WIN 98 from the recovery disks then installed XP Pro on top and it seem to do the trick and still running ok but I tried everything to installl XP clean on that HP and had nothing but problems.