Re: An observation: Dying HDD

From: Jeffrey D. Fisher, MCP (jfisher944_at_comcast.net)
Date: 09/18/04 

Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 19:15:25 -0500

Yep. Did that, too. I booted from the CD-ROM and blew off the existing
NTFS partition. The install would proceed through the text mode portion but
when it copies the files and restarts it then fails to find "ntoskrnl.exe."
I would try to copy the file into the System32 folder through the Recovery
Console but the Winnt folder was not there or inaccessable (Administrator
account not established yet?). Just out of curiosity, since Windows 98SE
loaded just fine, I thought I would try again with Win2k Pro but format
FAT32 instead. To my surprise, Windows 2000 loaded just fine and is
operating happily. This HDD had had NTFS on it before with Windows 2000
(SP4) before a virus (I think) whacked the install. The machine worked for
several months with Windows 2000 on an NTFS partition. Now, however, the OS
will not load on an NTFS partition on this HDD but will load to a FAT32
partition on this HDD. Personally, I think Maxtor should be brought in on
this as well. This is a new anomoly to me.

JDF

"Dave Patrick" <mail@Nospam.DSPatrick.com> wrote in message
news:Ocrx51QmEHA.3608@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> You'll want to boot the Windows 2000 setup disks or CD-Rom. The set of
four
> install disks can be created from your Windows 2000 CD-Rom; change to the
> \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute makeboot.exe (from dos) or
> makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the prompts.
>
> Then *F6* very early and very important (at setup is inspecting your
system)
> in the setup to prevent drive controller detection, and select S to
specify
> additional drivers. Then later you'll be prompted to insert the
manufacturer
> supplied Windows 2000 driver for your ATA controller in drive "A"
>
> If you wait and then S to specify additional drivers, then it may be too
> late as Windows 2000 Setup at this point may have already assigned the
> resources your drive's controller is wanting to use.
>
> When you get to the point, delete the existing NTFS and or other
partitions
> found. After you delete the partition(s) abort the install, then again
> restart the pc booting the CD-Rom or setup disks to avoid unexpected drive
> letter assignments with your new install.
>
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
> Microsoft Certified Professional
> Microsoft MVP [Windows]
> http://www.microsoft.com/protect
>
> "Jeffrey D. Fisher, MCP" wrote:
> |I did that. I downloaded and ran the PowerMax software which is a series
> of
> | diagnostics on a Caldera DR-DOS bootable floppy. The diagnostics
reported
> | the drive fixed but alas, the Win2k installation still failed. The
Readme
> | said that the low-level format of the HDD will repair most things but in
> | this case, it did not. I am now going for a warranty exchange RMA. The
> | fact that Windows 98SE installs and runs fine but Win2k does not is the
> | sticking point. Win98SE is not fussy whereas Win2k seems to be very
> fussy.
> |
> | JDF
>
>

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Win2000 Install Problem
    ... To do a clean install, either boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom or setup ... The set of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000 ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.setup)
  • Re: CD-ROM unable to read any CDs
    ... I decided to run another fresh install, which went through with no errors. ... This team the BIOS recognises the CD-ROM drive and it is showing as the ... drisk but when I click on the drive in Windows Explorer it eventually ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: How do we install Win 2000 with no floppy drive?
    ... If you put the CD into your CD-ROM drive and find that you are not being asked to press a key to boot from CD, you need to go into your system BIOS and make sure that it is set to boot from CD before the hard drive. ... at the office when that's the case - or is it because they can install ... Windows 2000 install CD-Rom or setup disks. ... Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must then press L to confirm that you want to delete the partition. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.new_user)
  • Re: Reinstalling Windows 2000 from recovered files
    ... The best method is to just boot the CD-Rom. ... boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom or setup disks. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.general)
  • Could this be a hardware problem?
    ... I'm starting with AlphaBIOS 5.66-1 and an IDE CD-ROM drive on the ... I choose the option to install Windows NT. ... says the memory is expandable up to 512MB only, ...
    (comp.sys.dec)