URGENT: Problem reformatting drive

JJdude · 01-22-2006, 10:28 AM

About a week ago whenever I restarted my computer it would go to the Windows XP Home Edition setup. However I did not have the disk in my disc drive so it just cancelled and went to my desktop.

Today when I wanted reformat I decided to just insert the WinXP setup disk into the drive and boot to it. It started set-up and eventually got to the "Installing Windows" step. It was set to complete in 39 minutes but a few minutes in, while it was installing devices it stopped and went to a screen that was an error message. Hardware or software problem, and at the bottom they did a physical memory dump.

Keep in mind I was never asked to delete the C: partition, which is what I wanted to do all along.

Now whenever I restart it goes to the setup, and either goes through with it or cancels it depending on whether the disk is in or not. Please help!

Btw I don't know if I can stil access my computer in the previous state. Thanks!

Tumbleweed36 · 01-22-2006, 11:29 AM

Hi,

Can you get into the BIOS setup menu by holding down or pushing the DEL key? If you can, go in and make sure your boot order is set to:

CDRom - 1st
Floppy - 2nd
Hard Drive - 3rd (this would be the boot one)

**Don't forget to save before you exit.

**keymaker** · 01-22-2006, 11:08 PM

hmmm....do the reformat process again and if the error still comes up, write it down and post the error here. you also might want to go to a working computer and download the diagnostics utility for your hard drive from the manufacturer's website of your hard drive.

then test the hard drive on your computer with the program by making the computer boot to it. see if your hard drive is failing.

**linderman** · 01-23-2006, 01:37 PM

Hello:

Keymaker gave you excellent advice >>> donwload your hard drive makers diagnostic tool use the floppy drive verison >>>>check to be sure your drive is mechanically healthy

then if that checks out >>>> download and run boot & nuke (free in my signature) use the floppy version of boot & nuke >>> when you boot from the boot & nuke floppy you will come to an options console >>>> choose autonuke >>>> make sure you pull the power plug from any drives you dont want erased !! this utility will restore your drive to a completely empty and clean condition just like when it was shipped from the factory >>>> then when you go to clean install fromt eh Win XP disk you wont be getting any unexpected results !!

regards

joe

01-22-2006, 10:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
JJdude Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1 OS: Windows XP	URGENT: Problem reformatting drive About a week ago whenever I restarted my computer it would go to the Windows XP Home Edition setup. However I did not have the disk in my disc drive so it just cancelled and went to my desktop. Today when I wanted reformat I decided to just insert the WinXP setup disk into the drive and boot to it. It started set-up and eventually got to the "Installing Windows" step. It was set to complete in 39 minutes but a few minutes in, while it was installing devices it stopped and went to a screen that was an error message. Hardware or software problem, and at the bottom they did a physical memory dump. Keep in mind I was never asked to delete the C: partition, which is what I wanted to do all along. Now whenever I restart it goes to the setup, and either goes through with it or cancels it depending on whether the disk is in or not. Please help! Btw I don't know if I can stil access my computer in the previous state. Thanks!

01-22-2006, 11:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,642 OS: XP Professional	Hi, Can you get into the BIOS setup menu by holding down or pushing the DEL key? If you can, go in and make sure your boot order is set to: CDRom - 1st Floppy - 2nd Hard Drive - 3rd (this would be the boot one) **Don't forget to save before you exit. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

01-22-2006, 11:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
keymaker Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,154 OS: windows xp	hmmm....do the reformat process again and if the error still comes up, write it down and post the error here. you also might want to go to a working computer and download the diagnostics utility for your hard drive from the manufacturer's website of your hard drive. then test the hard drive on your computer with the program by making the computer boot to it. see if your hard drive is failing. __________________ AVG Spybot SpywareBlaster Adware CCleaner Diskeeper ZoneAlarm

01-23-2006, 01:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,434 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Hello: Keymaker gave you excellent advice >>> donwload your hard drive makers diagnostic tool use the floppy drive verison >>>>check to be sure your drive is mechanically healthy then if that checks out >>>> download and run boot & nuke (free in my signature) use the floppy version of boot & nuke >>> when you boot from the boot & nuke floppy you will come to an options console >>>> choose autonuke >>>> make sure you pull the power plug from any drives you dont want erased !! this utility will restore your drive to a completely empty and clean condition just like when it was shipped from the factory >>>> then when you go to clean install fromt eh Win XP disk you wont be getting any unexpected results !! regards joe __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial