Cant boot after build

gaz_j · 11-07-2009, 05:59 PM

Evening everyone

I've recently built a new computer. I had a PC with Windows 7 Ultimate installed on it. In the new pc I've used the cpu and the hdd from the computer that had W7 installed already.

I'm using a different motherboard with the new pc but the old cpu and hdd. Now when I turn the pc on it says:

Quote:

Windows Failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1. Insert your windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next.".
3. Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administartor or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File: \Boot\BCD

Status: oxc000000f

Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data.

I've tried re-installing the OS but it won't boot form CD. The only way I can get it to boot from the CD is if I unplug the HDD. I can boot to the windows 7 disc then but when I go to either format the HDD or re-install the OS it says it cannot perform the operation.

I am also unable to do a system repair as it comes up with 'cannot perform this operation' again.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Gaz_J

Warriorccc0 · 11-07-2009, 06:02 PM

You should be able to enter a boot menu before the OS starts, which will have a option to boot from whatever is connected that is bootable. Usually it should show the button you need to enter it which is F10 or F12 or something similar.

You can also change the order they boot in the bios, which should have options from what order to attempt to boot at.

**grimx133** · 11-07-2009, 06:07 PM

Boot from your windows disc and do a repair install. Putting a hard drive with an operating system installed on a different motherboard isn't a good plan.

gaz_j · 11-07-2009, 06:21 PM

I have changed all the boot options (1,2 and 3) to CD Rom but it still won't. It just boots from the HDD. I'm definitely saving the BIOS settings before exiting too :p

I've checked the boot disk works in another PC so I know there's no problems there. I have gone into the bios and changed the boot options and it won't boot to cd. I've also pressed F12 to boot from cdrom. I can select it but it still just goes to the error screen I mentioned above. In my other pc if I boot up with the disk in it says 'Press any key to boot from cd' but that doesn't appear in this new build either.

Very confused :s I've just spent £500 on this set up too and can't wait to see what games are like on it. The suspense is killing me LOL

Love the lighting in your case Grim :D

**grimx133** · 11-07-2009, 09:30 PM

Just a thought, but you mention cd-rom. If this is windows 7, a cd-rom won't read it, dvd eh. In any case, I'd try another optical drive as a first step.

Thanks, I ended up taking out the ccfl's though, I swap way too much hardware in and out, things tend to get in the way.

dai · 11-07-2009, 11:39 PM

are the drives ide or sata

if they are both ide check the jumpers settings are correct

gaz_j · 11-08-2009, 05:49 AM

I meant DVD. Stupid me LOL

They're SATA drives. Its really weird because if the HDD isn't plugged in it boots to the boot up disk fine. The second the HDD is plugged back in though it won't work.

What If I was to download a bootable disk fomater? Suppose it won't hurt to try.

**grimx133** · 11-08-2009, 06:26 AM

Is the hard drive recognized in the bios? The bcd is the bootloader for vista and windows 7, replaces the boot.ini of xp. If it can't find it, and it won't boot from dvd when the hard drive is connected, may be hdd issues. I'd run the diagnostic too from the drives manufacturer. If you can create a bootable disc, and boot from it with the hard drive attached. Also try putting that hard drive into another computer and see if it stops a different machine from booting from dvd.

dai · 11-08-2009, 08:49 PM

are the drives both either sata or sata 2

does your m/b support sata 2

11-07-2009, 06:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
Warriorccc0 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7 OS: Win7 64-bit	Re: Cant boot after build You should be able to enter a boot menu before the OS starts, which will have a option to boot from whatever is connected that is bootable. Usually it should show the button you need to enter it which is F10 or F12 or something similar. You can also change the order they boot in the bios, which should have options from what order to attempt to boot at.

11-07-2009, 06:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,144 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Cant boot after build Boot from your windows disc and do a repair install. Putting a hard drive with an operating system installed on a different motherboard isn't a good plan. __________________

11-07-2009, 06:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
gaz_j Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 18 OS: Win XP SP3	Re: Cant boot after build I have changed all the boot options (1,2 and 3) to CD Rom but it still won't. It just boots from the HDD. I'm definitely saving the BIOS settings before exiting too :p I've checked the boot disk works in another PC so I know there's no problems there. I have gone into the bios and changed the boot options and it won't boot to cd. I've also pressed F12 to boot from cdrom. I can select it but it still just goes to the error screen I mentioned above. In my other pc if I boot up with the disk in it says 'Press any key to boot from cd' but that doesn't appear in this new build either. Very confused :s I've just spent £500 on this set up too and can't wait to see what games are like on it. The suspense is killing me LOL Love the lighting in your case Grim :D

11-07-2009, 09:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,144 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Cant boot after build Just a thought, but you mention cd-rom. If this is windows 7, a cd-rom won't read it, dvd eh. In any case, I'd try another optical drive as a first step. Thanks, I ended up taking out the ccfl's though, I swap way too much hardware in and out, things tend to get in the way. __________________

11-07-2009, 11:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,629 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Cant boot after build are the drives ide or sata if they are both ide check the jumpers settings are correct __________________

11-08-2009, 05:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
gaz_j Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 18 OS: Win XP SP3	Re: Cant boot after build I meant DVD. Stupid me LOL They're SATA drives. Its really weird because if the HDD isn't plugged in it boots to the boot up disk fine. The second the HDD is plugged back in though it won't work. What If I was to download a bootable disk fomater? Suppose it won't hurt to try.

11-08-2009, 06:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,144 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Cant boot after build Is the hard drive recognized in the bios? The bcd is the bootloader for vista and windows 7, replaces the boot.ini of xp. If it can't find it, and it won't boot from dvd when the hard drive is connected, may be hdd issues. I'd run the diagnostic too from the drives manufacturer. If you can create a bootable disc, and boot from it with the hard drive attached. Also try putting that hard drive into another computer and see if it stops a different machine from booting from dvd. __________________

11-08-2009, 08:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,629 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Cant boot after build are the drives both either sata or sata 2 does your m/b support sata 2 __________________