PC woes - need help
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
Bootable test CDs are what to use.
I would first download a memtest .iso and burn it to CD, then boot from it and run it overnight. I would also boot a Knoppix CD and surf with that, etc to see if the problem repeats.
Did you try booting in Safe Mode?
The HP website will have all the current drivers for your system, and though I don't bet on problems (other than missing drivers) from a bare-metal generic XP install you could try installing the correct drivers on top of it (or slipstreaming them with nlite, Google for tutorials).
I would first download a memtest .iso and burn it to CD, then boot from it and run it overnight. I would also boot a Knoppix CD and surf with that, etc to see if the problem repeats.
Did you try booting in Safe Mode?
The HP website will have all the current drivers for your system, and though I don't bet on problems (other than missing drivers) from a bare-metal generic XP install you could try installing the correct drivers on top of it (or slipstreaming them with nlite, Google for tutorials).
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.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
What a mess you have for $75. At this point there are lots of issues to check. Have you ever built a PC? Seems to me that that is what you are going to have to do on this one. For a P-IV I don't think it is worth the effort. I just priced a screamer from Newegg if you can build one & already have a case, PSU, OS, & monitors for $550 or a bit less.
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!
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 42,712
Likes: 3,159
From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
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
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
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 1
From: Apex, N.C.
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.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,379
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From: MA
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...
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: SpringHill,Fl
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: MA
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..
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Apex, N.C.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
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.
Originally Posted by AzBlueWolf
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
I'm so glad I bought a new laptop instead of building another desktop
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
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 1
From: Apex, N.C.
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.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
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.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 387
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From: Cambridge, Ontario
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.