Interesting computer problem...

CynicX · 02-06-2005, 12:53 PM

I have another thread about installing linux, but now I have an interesting problem that has stemed from it.

OK so I installed linux on a secondary hard drive, without me thinking it changed the MBR. I format the secondary drive after I see Linux is gonna be more work then I care to deal with. So I reboot, new MBR says WTF? So I cant get into windows. I pull the Primary drive, install windows on secondary, install primary, put all my data on CD's. Now I unpartition the old primary, windows refuses to use it anymore, says it cant access it. I make my old secondary the primary. Unpartition it, format it for NTFS and begin to install windows. Windows will not install. It just hangs, what used to take 15 minutes to install has been running for 2 hours. The old primary is still unpartitioned and windows refuses to look at it. The old secondary has been unpartitioned and formated but Windows wont install on too it, just hangs. I dunno what the deal is. I installed windows once for the sole purpose of saving all my data. But now that I've switch the master and slave I cant get it to do anything. When I put the old master in, windows refuses to look at it. When I put the old slave in the windows install hangs.

I figured by unpartitioning the drives with WinXP setup I would insure a fresh install of WinXP with no traces of anything anywhere. But something is making this thing hang and it wont let me do crap on either drives.

Anyone have any idea. Do I need to be more specific?

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CynicX · 02-06-2005, 12:57 PM

oh and btw...I have a WD SE 80 Gig and a IMB 20 GIG.....the bios can see both of them and tells me the correct amount of space on them....

4RUNR · 02-06-2005, 01:54 PM

To be honest that problem description does not fit into my head, so no diagnosis.

But, one bit of information that might be relevant is: XP boot process is aware on which IDE channel the boot drive is, it also knows how many partitions are on each drive. Changes to the order of anything aforementioned will prevent you to boot successfully.

Your best bet is: take the drive without any data you want to keep, plug only that one in into primary IDE channel. Repartition it, install Windows. Once Windows is working, connect the second drive to the secondary IDE channel. From within Windows move all your files to the current system drive. Repartition the second drive. Done.

CynicX · 02-06-2005, 02:10 PM

I'm sorry let me try to describe this better of what is going on now....

I have to blank harddrives....Both have been unpartitioned....after unpartitioning C: windows refuses to use it. It wont install windows on it, it wont even try to partition in. The other one was unpartitioned and windows has formatted it but when trying to install windows on it, it hangs. Wont complete install, and is VERY slow, doing anything too it.

4RUNR · 02-06-2005, 02:23 PM

When you are trying to install, is there only one drive in the system connected to primary and set as master?

Almost sounds like physical problems, i.e. bent pins or cables going bad.

CynicX · 02-06-2005, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4RUNR

When you are trying to install, is there only one drive in the system connected to primary and set as master?

Almost sounds like physical problems, i.e. bent pins or cables going bad.

Well I'm installing now and it has both drive in place.....the cable doesnt have anything to pull the wires out, like a plastic tab, so I have to pull on the wire itself a little....I may have damaged it, I'm gonna try picking up a new cable tomorrow....see if that helps...

02-06-2005, 12:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
CynicX Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,371	oh and btw...I have a WD SE 80 Gig and a IMB 20 GIG.....the bios can see both of them and tells me the correct amount of space on them.... __________________ 06 Subaru WRX

02-06-2005, 02:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
CynicX Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,371	I'm sorry let me try to describe this better of what is going on now.... I have to blank harddrives....Both have been unpartitioned....after unpartitioning C: windows refuses to use it. It wont install windows on it, it wont even try to partition in. The other one was unpartitioned and windows has formatted it but when trying to install windows on it, it hangs. Wont complete install, and is VERY slow, doing anything too it. __________________ 06 Subaru WRX

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02-06-2005, 01:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
4RUNR Guest Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Pole Posts: 1,619	To be honest that problem description does not fit into my head, so no diagnosis. But, one bit of information that might be relevant is: XP boot process is aware on which IDE channel the boot drive is, it also knows how many partitions are on each drive. Changes to the order of anything aforementioned will prevent you to boot successfully. Your best bet is: take the drive without any data you want to keep, plug only that one in into primary IDE channel. Repartition it, install Windows. Once Windows is working, connect the second drive to the secondary IDE channel. From within Windows move all your files to the current system drive. Repartition the second drive. Done.

02-06-2005, 02:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
4RUNR Guest Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Pole Posts: 1,619	When you are trying to install, is there only one drive in the system connected to primary and set as master? Almost sounds like physical problems, i.e. bent pins or cables going bad.