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Disk Boot Fail...?

2K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  justpassingby 
#1 ·
Hello my name is Josh and I would really appreciate anyone's input on this:

I've recently decided to put together my own computer. It's cool how I saved money buying the separate parts, and the process of putting everything together has been a good learning experience so far. The only problem is, after finally ordering Windows XP Professional x64 bit, and inserting in the CD/DVD-ROM for that moment of glory, the BIOS still tells me that it's failing to boot the disk.

Here are my specs:

Gigabyte S-series model P35C-DS3R motherboard http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/...ProductID=2551

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU (2.4 GHz) http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...682&lid=585550

NVIDIA e-GeForce 8600 GTS Graphics Card http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_8600.html

Western Digital SATA 300 MB/s, 400 GB Disk Space, 16 MB Cache, 7200 RPM Hard Drive http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/3...d-125-shipped/

Samsung SH-S203B DVD Writer http://www.samsung.com/in/products/o...s/sh_s203b.asp

Thermaltake Purepower 500W Power Supply http://www.thermaltake.com/product/P...94/w009394.asp

Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15900

As I scroll through the BIOS I'm using an old Compaq keyboard from a piece of history...waiting until the operating system is up before I install my wireless Logitech keyboard. I set my priority boot device as the CD-ROM Device in Advanced BIOS Screen, as the manual tells me this is all I really need to do before the blue screen pops up about partitioning hard disk space for Windows Professional. Can you think of any of these components not being compatible with the x64 bit operating system? I heard (rumors?) that certain optical drives were required for this x64 Professional (is this Samsung compatible?). ...I also noticed on the NVIDIA page about the 8600 graphics card that it is classified under a "32" rate for "stream processing" if you look at the top of the table...this mean anything???...Just to let you know I wore the anti-static wrist attatchment while assembling and applied a nice even layer of thermal paste to the processor as directed.

Even though after every check in the BIOS for about twenty times running it (before I got the operating system, just to check out the BIOS) the temp always reads in the low 30's C, there was one point when I was checking the temp of the CPU in the BIOS that I noticed the temp was reaching heights of 70 C. I realized that I had bumped the case in plugging it in again and because of this the CPU FAN wasn't entirely on (the fan was still running though)...two of its thick corner plastic screws were loose, while two remained on strong...so even though the fan was running I think that made it lose heat. So I got freaked out and shut off the comp (So all in all the CPU was running at temperatures up to 70 C for about 12 seconds), screwed the CPU Fan more firmly on the motherboard, and it was back in business reading a constant 33 C after the first test. Although I don't believe this is a big deal, I thought I'd mention it to anyone of you kind souls who are thinking of a cure. I heard that even though a healthy CPU temp is anything under 40 C, I also hear CPU's can withstand a lot and that it reaching temps up to 70 for a short amount of time doesn't cause any permanent damage. I have never run power to my CPU with the fan not connected/running at all...I've heard that does damage CPU's within seconds.

FYI about the operating system: I didn't obtain it from any big retailers like I did my other parts (Micro Center), but instead from a website called CietDirect.com, which sells cheap software. I found XP Pro x64 for $90! I'm pumped because it usually costs up to 299.99. The site seems legit (http://www.cietdirect.com/product_sp...php?s=1&id=163), even though the package didn't contain the blue microsoft cardboard case like it shows on the web, but a disk in a soft, flimsy, black protective case reading in professional print:

English, Microsoft Windows XP Professional
x64 Edition
(Product Key Required)

June 2006
Systems
Student Media/Work At Home Media

End Item Part No. E85-03210

Liscensing

All use subject to volume license agreement. Do not make illegal copies of this disc. Not for retail or OEM Distribution. Not for resale.

It's layered in bronze/brown colors, with Microsoft logos and looks like the real deal (barcode and all). "Microsoft is indented/printed in gold on the sensitive part on the inside of the ring (where you flip it over on the info side and you see the thin ring near the center). I honestly think this is good stuff, but I thought I would mention this as well for your help.

- I'm hooking the power of my comp directly to a common 120V house outlet. (No surge protector as far as the computer power itself)

- The disk drive works: blinks green, opens, closes, reopens.

- LED's are sparkling blue, fans are flowing.

Everything seems to be going ok except for the depressing statement that the BIOS system fails to boot the disk. :upset:

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. :wink:
 
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#2 · (Edited)
Hi Josh and welcome to TSF ! :wave:

Most of the links you posted about your hardware are invalid, maybe you copy/pasted them from elsewhere ? Here's the link to your motherboard's specs :
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products...board&ProductID=2551&ProductName=GA-P35C-DS3R

Try to boot another computer with your XP pro disk, in case this would be the CD which is not bootable.

Does the DVD drive appear in the detecting primary/secondary IDE/SATA master/slave lines at startup ? Does it appear in the BIOS ?

Refer to your motherboard manual to know which SATA ports you need to use for a master/slave setup with 2 drives. Logically the hard drive should be the primary master and the burner the primary slave. Try other SATA ports and see if it helps (Fyi, my Asus motherboard refuses to boot if the CD-rom is set on the SATA3 connector but boots fine when it's on the SATA5, no idea why).

Else try with an IDE CD drive (borrow one from another computer). Hook it at the end of the IDE cable and set its jumper to master if any. Tell us how it works.

About your XP 64 pro CD, did you get a license key with it ? Without it you won't be able to use it for more than 30 days. Note that XP 64bit is not a gaming nor a home computer OS. You'll have a hard time finding the proper drivers for your hardware, you may have stability issues with some programs that were not designed for a 64bit OS and you won't see any increase in performances over the regular 32bit version. There are only a few professional apps which will be able to take advantage of the 64bit features.
 
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