Start-up Problems

[Neville]

My computer will not start-up. I am using windows XP Professional.

Each time I try, it appears to start in the normal manner until it reaches the windows logo. The bar under runs five cycles then the screen goes blank for a few seconds and the start-up procedure repeats itself time and again until I shut it down manually.

Is there any solution for this problem?

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Nev, first thing to try is see if it will go into safe mode or at least the start to safe mode.

Turn it on, then keep tapping the F8 key fairly rapidly until a black screen with white letters appears. Once it does try selecting (up and down keys) "Last known good configuration" then hit the enter key.

Let us know how you get on with that.

Nev.

[Neville]

Start-up Problems

 

Hi Nev, first thing to try is see if it will go into safe mode or at least the start to safe mode.

Turn it on, then keep tapping the F8 key fairly rapidly until a black screen with white letters appears. Once it does try selecting (up and down keys) "Last known good configuration" then hit the enter key.

Let us know how you get on with that.

Nev.

 

Thanks Nev,

Did exactly as you advised and got the Windows logo with the bar underneath, it ran the five cycles, the screen went blank then came up with the usual start-up procedure, the windows logo and the repetition, which continued until I shut it down. Before that however, I hit the F8 again(at least I think so) in sheer desperation and got the following:-

 

Please select boot device:

1st. FLOPPY DRIVE

PM-WDC WD800AB-00CBA1

SM-_NEC DV_RW ND-1300A

SS-SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-248F

Generic USB SD Reader

Generic USB CF Reader

Generic USB SM Reader

 

Use arrows to move selection

ENTERto select boot device

ESC to boot using defaults

 

The above regarding the selection of boot device remained on the screen, so I was able to transcribe the same.

 

I did not know which one to select, so I shut it down.

I now await further advice.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi again Nev, if you can get it back to that screen select this entry-

 

PM-WDC WD800AB-00CBA1

 

That one is the hard drive, it should at least then try to boot, if it does, then all should be OK, if it then comes up with a new fault message let us know what it says.

Nev.

[Neville]

Start-up Problems

 

Hi again Nev, if you can get it back to that screen select this entry-

 

PM-WDC WD800AB-00CBA1

 

That one is the hard drive, it should at least then try to boot, if it does, then all should be OK, if it then comes up with a new fault message let us know what it says.

Nev.

 

 

Hi Nev,

Done exactly as directed, with the same result, i.e. the five cycles of the progress bar and the automatic re-starts up to that particular point.

However, at one point I did get a message saying "Reboot and select proper boot service or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key".

Furthermore on re-trying the selection of the boot device, it appears that the PM-WDC WD800AB-00CBA1 had not actually been selected.

I assume this because each time the boot device selection box opens, the topmost item "1st FLOPPY DRIVE" always seems to be selected.

 

 

Due to the repetition I was able to notice something which may or may not be relevant, it flashes momentarily on the screen:-

Scanning IDE drives

No drive attachment to fast track Controller. The BIOS is not installed"

 

Thanks!

Nev

[Neville]

Start-up Problems

 

Hi Nev,

Done exactly as directed, with the same result, i.e. the five cycles of the progress bar and the automatic re-starts up to that particular point.

However, at one point I did get a message saying "Reboot and select proper boot service or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key".

Furthermore on re-trying the selection of the boot device, it appears that the PM-WDC WD800AB-00CBA1 had not actually been selected.

I assume this because each time the boot device selection box opens, the topmost item "1st FLOPPY DRIVE" always seems to be selected.

 

 

Due to the repetition I was able to notice something which may or may not be relevant, it flashes momentarily on the screen:-

Scanning IDE drives

No drive attachment to fast track Controller. The BIOS is not installed"

 

Thanks!

Nev

 

 

System Time [09:55:48]

System Date [Fri 06/18/2010]

Legasy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.]

 

 

Primary IDE Master [WDC WD800AB-00CBA1]

Primary IDE Slave [Not Detected]

Secondary Master [_NEC DVD_RW ND-130]

Secondary Slave [sAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW]

Third IDE Master [Not Detected]

Fourth IDE Master [Not Detected]

IDE Configuration b l a n k

 

System Information b l a n k

 

 

 

Found this, sending it in case it has any significance.

System Time [09:55:48]

System Date [Fri 06/18/2010]

Legasy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.]

 

 

Primary IDE Master [WDC WD800AB-00CBA1]

Primary IDE Slave [Not Detected]

Secondary Master [_NEC DVD_RW ND-130]

Secondary Slave [sAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW]

Third IDE Master [Not Detected]

Fourth IDE Master [Not Detected]

IDE Configuration b l a n k

 

System Information b l a n k

[KenB]

No drive attachment to fast track Controller...

 

Reboot and select proper boot service...

 

These 2 error messages imply that there is a setting in the BIOS that is not correct.

From what I can gather - the Fast Track Controller is linked with RAID

If your hard drive is IDE - do you have RAID enabled in the BIOS?

 

If so - try disabling it.

 

Is your motherboard ASUS ?

 

Whilst you are in the BIOS check the Boot Order.

DVD should be first in the Boot Order followed by the Hard Drive.

[Neville]

Start-up Problems

 

These 2 error messages imply that there is a setting in the BIOS that is not correct.

From what I can gather - the Fast Track Controller is linked with RAID

If your hard drive is IDE - do you have RAID enabled in the BIOS?

 

If so - try disabling it.

 

Is your motherboard ASUS ?

 

Whilst you are in the BIOS check the Boot Order.

DVD should be first in the Boot Order followed by the Hard Drive.

 

 

Thanks KenB,

I am a beginner and haven't the faintest idea how to manage any of the above tasks. Also, I do not know whether the hard drive is IDE or whether Raid is enabled or not.

However, perhaps with explicit, step by step instructions, I could possibly give it a go.

 

The motherboard is an ASUS P4P800-E

[KenB]

Your motherboard supports both IDE and SATA drives.

 

Take the panel off and have a look at the data cable from the motherboard to the hard drive.

If it is a broad one with 80 wires it is IDE.

If it is a narrow cable see here it is SATA.

 

Let us know which you have.

 

Checking the Boot Sequence:

Switch on and on the first screen press DEL. ( could be f2 or other )

If DEL doesn't do it you will get a prompt bottom left that says " press *** to enter set-up"

 

Once in the BIOS use the arrow keys to navigate.

 

Locate Boot Order ( or similar )

Every BIOS is different.

Check that the DVD is the first in the boot order and that the Hard Drive is second.

 

If this is not the case then you can move the device up or down using (usually) + or -

There will be instructions on the screen.

 

If you do make any changes - Save and Exit ( usually f10 ) - again you will be prompted.

[Neville]

Start-up Problems

 

Your motherboard supports both IDE and SATA drives.

 

Take the panel off and have a look at the data cable from the motherboard to the hard drive.

If it is a broad one with 80 wires it is IDE.

If it is a narrow cable see here it is SATA.

 

Let us know which you have.

 

Checking the Boot Sequence:

Switch on and on the first screen press DEL. ( could be f2 or other )

If DEL doesn't do it you will get a prompt bottom left that says " press *** to enter set-up"

 

Once in the BIOS use the arrow keys to navigate.

 

Locate Boot Order ( or similar )

Every BIOS is different.

Check that the DVD is the first in the boot order and that the Hard Drive is second.

 

If this is not the case then you can move the device up or down using (usually) + or -

There will be instructions on the screen.

 

If you do make any changes - Save and Exit ( usually f10 ) - again you will be prompted.

 

 

Sorry Ken, though I have ascertained I actually have IDE, I have been unsuccessful in getting into the BIOS since early this morning.

[KenB]

When you switch on do you get the message in the bottom left of screen..

"Press *** to enter Set-up" ?

 

Asus m/boards are usually DEL to enter BIOS.

I have read that some use the Ins key ( top row of keyboard usually )

 

When you switch on try tapping the DEL key about once per second.

 

Let us know what the screen prompt says about entering Set-up.

[Neville]

When you switch on do you get the message in the bottom left of screen..

"Press *** to enter Set-up" ?

 

Asus m/boards are usually DEL to enter BIOS.

I have read that some use the Ins key ( top row of keyboard usually )

 

When you switch on try tapping the DEL key about once per second.

 

Let us know what the screen prompt says about entering Set-up.

 

 

Hi KenB,

Believe it or not, I have actually been in the BIOS window - if that is the correct term to use - for some time now, only, I did not know it, because the heading on my screen was and still is, all but obliterated.

 

Anyhow! I finally managed to re-arrange the "Boot Device Priority" as follows:-

 

1st Boot Device [sM-_NEC DVD_RW ND-]

2nd Boot Device [PM-WDC WD800AB-00C]

3rd Boot device [1st FLOPPY DRIVE]

 

This however exists only in the BDP window.

There is another window, "Main" the one with the "System Time" "System Date" etc.. In that one the order remains the same as the original:-

 

System Time

System Date

Legacy Diskette [1.44M, 3.5 in.]

Language [English]

 

 

Primary IDE Master : [WDC WD800AB-00CBA1]

Primary IDE Slave : [Not Detected]

Secondary IDE Master : [_NEC DVD_RW ND-130]

Secondary IDE SLAVE : [sAMSUNG CD -R/RW SW]

Third IDE Master : [Not Detected]

Fourth IDE Master : [Not Detected]

 

IDE Configuration Blank

 

 

System Information Blank

 

 

 

Also the same in:-

Please select boot device:

1st. FLOPPY DRIVE

PM-WDC WD800AB-00CBA1

SM-_NEC DV_RW ND-1300A

SS-SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-248F

Generic USB SD Reader

Generic USB CF Reader

Generic USB SM Reader

 

Use arrows to move selection

ENTER to select boot device

ESC to boot using defaults

 

I hope this sheds some light on the subject.

 

On attempting to re-start the computer the results were the same five cycle sequence which goes nowhere.

 

Please let me know how re-arrange the same, if necessary.

Thanks!!

[maynardvdm]

Do you have your XP disk still. You might need it to go into the recovery console or do a repair install.

[Neville]

Start-up Problems

 

Now that I know approximately where I am, I have found out that "Raid" is the "Operating Mode" and the only option to change the same is to "IDE"

[KenB]

Hi,

 

You say that you have an IDE drive.

Raid is associated with SATA drives.

Try changing that "Operating Mode" setting to IDE

[Neville]

Start-up Problems

 

Do you have your XP disk still. You might need it to go into the recovery console or do a repair install.

 

No! I do not, as this is an old "hand-me-down" unit. Are there any other options?

[Neville]

Start-up Problems

 

Hi,

 

You say that you have an IDE drive.

Raid is associated with SATA drives.

Try changing that "Operating Mode" setting to IDE

 

Changed the mode setting to IDE,with the same result.

[KenB]

I have already stated that all BIOS are not the same but try this:

 

Go into BIOS again:

 

If there is an "Advanced" tab - click on this.

"Onboard devices configuration"

"Onboard Promise Controller"

 

If you can locate this - disable it > Save and Exit.

 

It may not be this precise location. Search around - you are looking for "Promise Controller" to disable.

[Neville]

Start-up Problems

 

I have already stated that all BIOS are not the same but try this:

 

Go into BIOS again:

 

If there is an "Advanced" tab - click on this.

"Onboard devices configuration"

"Onboard Promise Controller"

 

If you can locate this - disable it > Save and Exit.

 

It may not be this precise location. Search around - you are looking for "Promise Controller" to disable.

 

 

Found and disabled the same without difficulty, it was where you said it would be, but the result was exactly the same as before

[KenB]

Hi,

 

When this problem started had you made any changes?

New hard drive for instance?

 

Can you add anything that may explain what happened to create your problem?

 

Can you please confirm the following:

 

1. You only have 1 hard drive

 

2. This hard drive is an IDE drive ( with a broad grey data cable )

 

3. Can you confirm that this is connected to the Primary IDE1 ( blue ) socket.

 

4. You have disabled Onboard Promise Controller.

 

5. The Operating Mode ( BIOS ) is set to IDE.

 

I have since located the manual for your motherboard:

http://dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/sock478/P4P800-E%20DX/e1867_p4p800-e_deluxe.pdf

(you may find this useful - it was a very slow download for me)

 

Switch off at the wall - leave the plug in to maintain earth connectio

Try disconnecting the Floppy Drive (if you have one) and the DVD drive data cables from the motherboard.

Try booting again.

 

Are you getting EXACTLY the same messages now?

[Neville]

Start-up Problems

 

Hi,

 

When this problem started had you made any changes?

New hard drive for instance?

 

Can you add anything that may explain what happened to create your problem?

 

Can you please confirm the following:

 

1. You only have 1 hard drive

 

2. This hard drive is an IDE drive ( with a broad grey data cable )

 

3. Can you confirm that this is connected to the Primary IDE1 ( blue ) socket.

 

4. You have disabled Onboard Promise Controller.

 

5. The Operating Mode ( BIOS ) is set to IDE.

 

I have since located the manual for your motherboard:

http://dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/sock478/P4P800-E%20DX/e1867_p4p800-e_deluxe.pdf

(you may find this useful - it was a very slow download for me)

 

Switch off at the wall - leave the plug in to maintain earth connectio

Try disconnecting the Floppy Drive (if you have one) and the DVD drive data cables from the motherboard.

Try booting again.

 

Are you getting EXACTLY the same messages now?

 

 

 

Thanks for your help, all of you.

Sorry for the long delay in replying and am not going to waste your time with details. Evidently I did something wrong while trying to disconnect and my old PC has breathed it's last.

 

It has been replaced and I am now, once more, learning how to use "Windows 7" since last night.

Thanks!!

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Nev, first, I thank Ken for going so far as he did and taking over on this.

Shame we couldn't get to the bottom of it though and wonder what it was you did that killed things?

Any way, if you still have the machine and of course the hard drive from the machine, is there any data on it that you would like to recover?

If so it may be possible to do so even at this stage, please let us know if you wish to go further.

Also it is a good idea for your own personal security to remove the drive before scrapping the rest, especially if the computer has been used for any financial on line dealings, such as banking, or if the drive holds any personal details you may wish to keep from others, such as passwords, addresses etc.

Once any data required has been recovered, physical destruction of the drive will guarantee that no one else can get at it.

Nev.

[KenB]

I can only echo Plastic Nev's words - it is a pity that we could not get to the bottom of your problem.

I am sure you will be happy with Win7 - any problems ....Plastic Nev has recently moved to Win7 too :)