Russ - 

Never hurts to ask and check the basics  -  does the HDD show up in the bios properly, and is it in the boot sequence?

Paul Hachmeyer 



-----Original Message-----

From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Russ Cox

Sent: Sunday, January 02, 2011 7:18 PM

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] no boot?



Checked out the suggested file; bootloader is exactly the same as on a correctly booting XP computer.



On 1/1/2011 2:46 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote:

> Check the boot.ini file.

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022

>

> -------- Original Message --------

> Subject: [PCBUILD] no boot?

> From: Russ Cox<[log in to unmask]>

> Date: Fri, December 31, 2010 6:41 pm

> To: [log in to unmask]

>

> I am refurbishing a Dell Inspiron 4500, 1.4 GHz P4, 128 MB RAM, 120 GB 

> HDD. I have loaded XP Home several times and it seems to load ok. But 

> when I take the XP CD out, it won't boot from the HDD.

> Here's what I've tried:

> Loaded XP Home, no problem

> Removed CD, won't boot

> Reloaded XP 2X more, same result

> Replaced hard drive, same result. Put original HDD back in Reset CMOS, 

> no better Tested memory, no problem Repaired MBR (fixmbr) with XP CD, 

> no improvement Repaired boot sector(fixboot) with XP CD, no 

> improvement Ran chkdsk, said no problem, but on second try said there 

> were some errors, did not offer to mark bad sectors ??

> If I put the XP CD in the drive, then do_not_ press "start with CD", 

> it starts fine from the HDD??

> Short test and long test with Seagate HDD test shows no problems.

> Replaced the IDE cable, no improvement.

> Any ideas what might be causing this?

>

>   The NOSPIN Group is now offering Free PC Tech

>   support at our website:

>   http://freepctech.com

>

>           PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download

>                       visit our download web page at

>                    http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml

>

>



        The NOSPIN Group has added a new feature on our website,

           web based bulletinboard for questions and answers:

              Visit our sister website at http://nospin.com



         PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download

                     visit our download web page at:

                  http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml