Reinstalled Windows to be greeted by an Nvidia Boot Agent Error.

[mucasiola]

Hey guys,

 

Firstly, I would like to say that thanks for reading. I know that for alot of people reading this might be considered as alot of effort as it is a mini essay. But any help provided would be great. I have listed all relevant PC parts at the bottom of my post. But I think the story/problem might be better to be read first.

 

Right, so here's the deal.

 

I decided to format my PC a few days ago as it was getting sluggish and also because I (Like many other computer fanatics) love to keep my PC clean, fresh and healthy. Plus I enjoy the whole formatting process, it feels great to have a new 'canvas' upon which to work with.

 

Here's what I did. Step by step:

 

 

1. Backed up everything I needed as usual
   
2. Pop my XP Professional disk in
   
3. Restart, boot from CD
   
4. Delete all partitions from my HD
   
5. Install in unpartitioned space
   
6. Choose NTFS file format (non quick)
   
7. I decide this is taking too long so restart and do steps 3 to 5 again but this time choose quick mode
   
8. It formats fine and then copies the files from the CD fine
   
9. It reboots and I am greeted by the following error:
   

 

Nvidia Boot Agent 224.0523
Copyright (C) 2001-2005 NVIDIA Corporation
Copyright (C) 1997-2000 Intel Corporation
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-MOF: Exiting Nvidia boot agent

Nvidia Boot Agent 224.0523
Copyright (C) 2001-2005 NVIDIA Corporation
Copyright (C) 1997-2000 Intel Corporation
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-MOF: Exiting Nvidia boot agent

DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER

I have tried everything I can think of and I always seem to get this (or a similar) error.

 

I know there is no problem with any other part of my PC and/or my windows disk as I got another random HD (which incidently I found in a bin) and installed windows on that. And that installation of Windows I am now writing this on.

 

For some reason, I have a feeling that cancelling the format mid way is where I broke my HD and this is what is causing the error. But to be perfectly honest I have no idea what has actually happened. My HD and entire system was working completely fine before I decided to reinstall windows so I consider all my hardware not to be faulty.

 

Here is what I have tried to attempt to fix it so far:

 

 

• I downloaded and used SpinRite which assessed my whole HD (Taking 5 hours) to tell me it was perfectly fine.
  
• I downloaded Samsung's formatting and checking program. That tested my HD to tell me nothing was wrong with it. Then I did a low level format and attempted reinstalling windows. Greeted by exactly thew same error
  
• Tried removing all my other drives (including my CD drive) and trying to boot into installation. Still nothing.
  
• I installed a linux distro (opensuse to be exact) and that booted fine.
  
• Attempted to install another version of XP Pro and also tried to install Vista. Both giving exactly the same problem.
  
• Tried fiddling with my bios. Trying both failsafe and optimised defauls. I have played with other settings too with no prevail.
  

 

I would like to add that my BIOS recognises my HD fine too, just how it used to.

 

So, eventually. I decided to ask someone with some real computer knowledge. So ladies and gentlemen. Any ideas? I have a problem. I hate being beaten by machine. We make these things we should be able to tell them what to do! So beating this will be a great releif for me. I probably COULD buy a new HD but I won't do that when 2 different pieces of software are telling me my HD is fine.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Now here's my specs:

 

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3800+ (2.4 ghz)

Memory: 2GB Ram

Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT

Hard Drive: SAMSUNG SP2504C (250.06 GB) (SATA btw)

Motherboard: ECS C51 GM-M ECS Web Site

 

Anything else you need to know. Just ask.

 

Thanks in advance. Not only would it be nice to fix my PC. But some learning along the way would be great too!

 

Mark

 

PS. I am accomodating a visitor for a few days at my house so I can not be on much until Tuesday. But I will try my best.

[RandyL]

What is the boot order in the BIOS? Make sure it isn't set to boot from LAN or Network first. But it sounds like a HDD issue to me.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I have to agree with Randy and guess that through massive sheer coincidence the drive has died.

 

Have you tried attaching it to another pc to ascertain the status of it and perhaps trying to format it again via that method.

[Goku]

Hello and Welcome to FPCH Mucas. :)

 

Have you tried booting the PC with the Windows XP Disc still in the CD tray? It is known to fix the problem for many people. Also, I don't know much about hardware, but have you install the SATA drivers for your hard drive? I think the setup asks you to press F6 to install them at one point but I might be confusing them with RAID drivers.

 

Also, this might sound a bit far fetched, but have you tried formatting the whole drive again? The error might be a resultant of a bad sector on the hard drive.

 

Anyways, answer the above questions and we will try our best to help you out.

 

-- Goku

[mike]

Hi there,

 

I have come across this before whilst i was working at my old shop. Have a look in your BIOS settings for something called PXE and disable it. Reboot, and reinstall and see if that solves the problem.

 

Secondly, have you tried to fix the Master Boot Record on the hard drive? - Insert the XP CD and one of the first screens that will appear will give you the option to repair Windows XP by pressing R. Once your at the command line type in fixmbr

 

Hope this helps,

Mike

[mucasiola]

What is the boot order in the BIOS? Make sure it isn't set to boot from LAN or Network first. But it sounds like a HDD issue to me.

I have played with this alot. I have tried with HD booting first, removable first and CD first. I have even tried with everythign disabled but my HD. Similar results each time.

 

Hello and Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Mucas. :)

 

Have you tried booting the PC with the Windows XP Disc still in the CD tray? It is known to fix the problem for many people. Also, I don't know much about hardware, but have you install the SATA drivers for your hard drive? I think the setup asks you to press F6 to install them at one point but I might be confusing them with RAID drivers.

 

Also, this might sound a bit far fetched, but have you tried formatting the whole drive again? The error might be a resultant of a bad sector on the hard drive.

 

Anyways, answer the above questions and we will try our best to help you out.

 

-- Goku

I have tried reinstalling over 10 times I would guess. I have tried with my CD in and with it out. None seem to work.

 

Also, my motherboard handles SATA hard drives which means that the windows XP installation does not require any additional drivers. Also, I have formatted and reinstalled windows XP about (at a guess) 5 times before with no troubles what so ever.

 

Also, I have tried formatting in a few different ways. Like I said in the OP I even tried a low level format which did nothing.

 

I have to agree with Randy and guess that through massive sheer coincidence the drive has died.

 

Have you tried attaching it to another pc to ascertain the status of it and perhaps trying to format it again via that method.

Sadly, I have no other PC with SATA capabilites. (Nor do I have access to one)

 

What is the boot order in the BIOS? Make sure it isn't set to boot from LAN or Network first. But it sounds like a HDD issue to me.

I googled this problem beforehand and people have mentioned this option. However I can't find it on my BIOS and I have played about turning a few things on and off with no prevail.

 

However, I will try again when I get the oppertunity.

 

Hi there,

 

I have come across this before whilst i was working at my old shop. Have a look in your BIOS settings for something called PXE and disable it. Reboot, and reinstall and see if that solves the problem.

 

Secondly, have you tried to fix the Master Boot Record on the hard drive? - Insert the XP CD and one of the first screens that will appear will give you the option to repair Windows XP by pressing R. Once your at the command line type in fixmbr

 

Hope this helps,

Mike

 

I will have a look around for this option. However I don't think I have come across it before.

 

I will also attempt to fix the MBR. Thanks for the info.

 

Thanks for the replies. I am trying to be as helpful as possible to you guys. If you neeed any more information just give me a shout.

 

Mark

[mucasiola]

Anyone?

 

Mark

[Guest Wolfeymole]

It seems that certain issues remained outstanding Mark and we were waiting for you to respond.

 

For example have you managed to locate the boot sequence option in the bios, have you attempted to fix, if needed, the MBR?

[mucasiola]

Oh, I thought I said.

 

Attempted "fixmbr" - This resulted in it hanging on "Verifying DMI Pool..." instead of giving the error.

 

And I have located and played with (as stated in first post) the boot sequence over and over.

 

I can not, however find any LAN option.

 

I think that's everything.

Edited September 17, 2008 by mucasiola

[Goku]

Please read the following article and try the troubleshooting instructions. See if they help or not.

 

Computer stops at verifying dmi pool data....

 

Let us know how it goes. Good Luck. :)

 

-- Goku