bosko : Remove the HD , and format it with another XP machine ( DO NOT LOAD WINXP ). Re-install the HD on the original machine ( PROCEED TO LOAD WINDOWS ) with only 1 DVD ROM Drive. Make certain that the bios recognizes the HD , as Master or on it's own with the DVD Rom Drive as Slave or on it's own. ( Check the DVD jumper pin locations are set to : Slave ) & ( Check the HD jumper pin locations are set to : Master )
Dell / HP and others have their own OS Disks , which the mobo will search for automatically (if the HD is formatted using the same mobo/HD combination) because the processors are commanded to do so in files contained on their Operating System Disks [who's contents include WinXP OS's] - but not find , [ if the original OS Disk is not in the DVD Rom Drive and used to do a full format of the HD ] , when the offending machine formats the HD as a result (without the original OS Disk ) - it doesn't remove the restore files on the HD through the WinXP OS alone , completely. You have to bypass the original OS Disk programming by removing any original command files from the HD before the mobo will allow it to load a WinXP OS from a WinXP OS Disk alone. You will receive a message at Post referring to this occurence being the case after a successful bypass of such files. Such as : HP processor not located , replace processor with HP processor. (Wait at Posting Sequence for the system to revert or bypass). The bottom of the Post screen will allow you to press F9 or F1 to proceed when the original command files are missing. (Thus you have bypassed the original OS Disk commands).
Confirm DVD Rom read capability with any OS Disk. Insert WinXP OS Disk : Set the bios sequence order with DVD as first boot device and press the "esc" key after you save and exit bios - upon repost. Enter the boot manager screen and make certain that the DVD & HD identifications appear the same across all entry areas (note the HD #) is the same , and the DVD # is the same - ( HD may not be registering correctly : if # is odd or not the same - format HD with earlier version of Windows prior as above ) , and select that you want the DVD to be the first boot device. ( set : boot.exe : by pressing Enter Key ).
Choose boot from CD at Post , after using the available F-revert keys that get you to the "boot from CD" sequence and load WinXP.
If this doesn't work , set the DVD jumper pins to : Master / & HD jumper pins to : Slave & repeat. (Incomplete bypass / startup bios configuration) All the while , read and respond to any messages or prompts during these attempts. Reset the bios configuration if not done by the WinXP OS Disk by itself to reflect that you want the HD as the first boot device , and you could even change the DVD and HD pin allocations to reflect whether they are recognized as either Master or Slave respectfully. If the system boots up into the Windows desktop , it is not a requirement that the DVD is a Slave or a Master or the HD is a Slave or a Master , as there will only be (1) boot first device allowed throughout the system. It is recommended , since it had taken alot of time or effort to reach a normal boot and restart capability - to leave the system as set by the WinXP installation. Removing the possibility of any further difficulty of booting or restarting occuring.
PS. Any mobo that was programmed through the use of manufacturer OS Disks/HD configurations (private labelled) , will require that the HD is cleared by most other brands of mobo's or it's originator OS Disk , rather than through the WinXP OS itself - just like any software program you load online or otherwise. Because the combination of mobo & OS Disk is critically tied to formatting. Hotkeys are also a part of that programming - meaning that the (F) [Function Keys] are also set to respond accordingly to the programmer or it's programming. So ... the bios or boot manager may be accessable by different F- Hotkey stipulations as a result. When searching for these Hotkeys : just press each (1) from F1 to F12 until you find out which ones are which during a NON-Windows OS search , and "esc" during a Windows installation or search. Just like when you enter bios , each mobo manufacturer can have a different key set to be pressed to enter the bios. There are even mobo's that will respond to "any" key on the keyboard as a HotKey for a variety of functions.
If it's not Genuine Windows by itself - it's been altered by the manufacturers.
post edited by ZROCKMAN - 2011/01/03 06:03:47