Cannot do a CLEAN INSTALL of WinXP!!!

So after THIS happened, I decided to just reinstall XP for various reasons.


GOAL: format and install a clean version of WinXP on used hard drive that was attacked by virus, cleaned, but left OS problematic with BSOD.
PROBLEM: cannot install WinXP on drive.


Okay, so my system would not boot into the XP install disk after the initial virus attack (and my hasty removal with combofix).


So I removed the physical (IDE) drive, put it in other system, used 'disk management' to do a quick NTFS format, then deleted the partition. (to obliterate anything on the drive)


Put it back in my system, and unplugged my SATA (video data) hard drives to ensure no problem with XP installation, even though it's supposed to be a new install disk. (thus should not be "confused" by secondary SATA drives).


The BIOS recognizes both the hard drive (now wiped clean), and the CD/DVD drive.

But when I try to boot from the WinXP install disk -- CD/DVD drive (also IDE, and set in BIOS as first boot device), it will not boot! I can hear the drive working, light comes on, and system pauses for awhile...

...but eventually get the good ol' "DISK BOOT FAILURE. INSERT SYSTEM blah blah blah"

So I swapped another CD/DVD drive, and same thing happens. (actually barely pauses for light on drive to come on; get error message quicker).

Also tried 2 different IDE drives, and STILL, will not accept/boot using the XP install disk.

Tried 2 other XP install disks (both of which I've used before, one even on this very system when the drive was new), and NEITHER would work!

So...
The BIOS recognizes everything.
Tried 2 CD/DVD drives.
Tried 3 IDE hard drives.
Tried 3 XP install disks.

And tried the "F9 force first boot device" (CD/DVD drive).

NOTHING allows me to install XP!!!

Could the virus have fried my motherboard's BIOS chips?

 

Nowadays, viruses cannot affect your BIOS. What you have is not a virus problem.

It is a possibility that there is something wrong with your hardware. Try removing your IDE hard drive and plug your cd-rom drive into that IDE slot. If it still doesn't work, try using the ribbon data cable your hard drive was using.

Basically try using the process of elimination. If it isn't the IDE controller (the slot you plug the ribbon cable in), maybe it was the ribbon cable. You should be able to start windows XP setup with no hard drives, so try to get that far first.

 

Question.
You say you did a Quick Format, THEN deleted the partition?
Seems to me you had that in reverse. Delete the existing partition, then do a Full(not quick) format.

 

do you have the jumper on the ide drives set correctly? master or slave

 

Put the hard drive on the 1st IDE channel, on the end of an 80pin data cable and jumper it as master. It should be the only drive on the cable. Put the CD/DVD drive on the 2nd IDE channel, on the end of an 80pin data cable, jumper it as master also. It should also be the only device on the cable. Reset your BIOS to defaults, then set the date, time, and set to boot to the CD/DVD first. Save the settings, restart, and it should say "Press any key to boot from CD...." or if the HD is totally blank, with no partition, it should boot to the CD automatically. If it doesn't do either of these, try swapping the data cables for new (or known good) cables. If this still doesn't work, and you've tried other drives, try using different memory, but this is not likely to be the problem. If none of this works, chances are the motherboard has failed. You could also try booting to a different CD just to see if it makes a difference; you could burn a Linux live CD, or something much smaller like a bootable memory diagnostic which would kill 2 birds with one stone. You can get a bootable RAM diag from this link.

Good luck!

 

The board only has 1 IDE port, so I have to use a single cable, and always connect the Hard Drive to the first connection, the CD/DVD drive to the second.

Anyhow, I connected only the CD/DVD drive, setting it as master... And the WinXP installation DID start... I did this with 2 different cables, and it began the WinXP install both times.

Hook back up the clean, formatted Hard Drive, and the same problems return.

--Sometimes it won't even recognize the drive in the BIOS, instead giving strange symbols and letters and numbers as the label.

--Sometimes it gives the proper label ("Western Digital XYZ blah blah"), but still gives the "HARD DISK FAILURE, INSERT blah blah" error message when I try to boot from CD.

I've tried switching and putting each as master with the other as slave. (difficult to make cable reach BTW) Same errors.


Ever since I've had this system, I've had occasional 'weird' problems regarding the board apparently confusing master/slave, and/or being unable to distinguish the boot drive. (I usually have 2 SATA drives connected for video data.)

In those situations, I would have to disconnect ALL other drives but the boot hard drive, let it boot up, shut down, then 1 at a time reconnect each hard drive.

I'm thinking somethings up with the motherboard.

 

If you wish to do a clean install of Windows:

Download "Darik's Boot and Nuke" (dban) and burn to floppy or CD. You need boot from this media ... and ensuring that there is ONLY the one hard drive connected in the box (because it will nuke every hard drive attached), type in "autonuke" and press Enter and let it run. This will ensure a clean and properly prepared hard drive for a "next life". You may wish to run a diagnostic utility to test the drive. Then begin the Windows install with a partition and format with the default settings.

Download (dban-1.0.7)
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dban/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dban/files/

If perchance, you cannot get a floppy or CD to boot at all, I suggest you try using a bootable USB device ... this has been shown to work, where the other methods have failed. You may need to make the appropriate alterations within BIOS, to enable this option.

This should fix the problem you are having with the installation of XP.
Good luck.

 

Same as with all other disks, Boot Nuke wouldn't load; still just got "DISK BOOT FAILURE..."

I then put this hard drive in another system just to see, and it and WinXP began the install process fine.

It's definitely got to be the motherboard.

So now, I'll either have to buy a USB stick and try that...
...or buy another MB. Because even though my current faulty one is only 9 months old, I bought it from Newegg, and since I don't have every little piece of shipping material, they won't take it back.

I think I'm through with newegg.

 

Not necessarily, and I think probably NOT the case: I am starting to think that the problem may well be in your BIOS configuration.

Enter the BIOS setup menu.
Choose to use DEFAULT/FAIL-SAFE/OPTIMISED settings (last page where the Exit menu is located).
Save and Exit.

Now, try to boot from the CD with the hardware configuration that "should" work .... and only the two IDE drives attached .... and please post with the outcome.

If unsuccessful, please provide us with info on what you see in the BIOS menu pertaining to the hard drives, IDE and SATA/RAID setup.

Good luck.

 

If the problem persists after performing the aforementioned steps, could I suggest that you determine the BIOS version, and then visit the mobo manufacturer's website to check whether there is a later version available.

Updating the BIOS version sometimes solves "mysterious" problems.

 

This was the board:

BIOSTAR MCP6P-M2 AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6150 / nForce 430 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

But I can't find it listed on the Biostar site to get any updated BIOS.

 

BIOSTAR MCP6P-M2

http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en-us/mb/content.php?S_ID=315

http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en-us/mb/bios.php?S_ID=315

 

Thanks for the links!

Unfortunately looks like one has to update from within windows... So I can't do that. Would taking out the CMOS battery do anything in regard to 'refreshing' everything?


BTW, I'd actually tried the "default/optimized BIOS" reset already... and just tried moments ago. Still doesn't do anything; my system still refuses to boot from the CD/DVD if both it and the hard drive are connected.

Something I noticed again today was that if the hard drive jumper is set to "master," the CD/DVD drive to "cable select," the BIOS hangs a while during startup, and will not detect the CD/DVD drive; I have to actually set it to either master or slave (and attach cable near or far) to even get the BIOS to detect it.

 

What is your BIOS version? What is the latest version offered? There will be an option to update BIOS outside of using Windows (http://www.biostar-usa.com/bioshelp.asp) .... but I would not rush to this step just yet.

I am not confident that you have quite got the dban thing right ... nor that you have tried the usb/dban boot method, and would ask that you review your procedures and try again. If you cannot make any headway with this, I would ask that you give full details of what you are doing, so that we may be able to assist/correct any problems, because I am confident that all else being equal, this should work.

 

Well actually, I looked over the "install from USB" option, and I just don't have the time for that. Every walkthrough I saw seemed very complex and I just don't need the headache; countless people on each walkthrough site saying they couldn't get it to work, etc. Literally not worth the time and headache when I can get a MB for $45. (plus I don't have a USB stick either).

I'm still going to work on this thing till my new motherboard comes in, but I have projects due and can't take long on getting my system up and running.

IF we get it working, I'll send back the motherboard, but otherwise, I'll switch it out and see if it works.

 

Time ... and deadlines ....
Yes I can understand your concern: There is no substitute for having a second (or third!) computer on stand-by and ready to go ...

BTW: Having another computer ... is an excellent place to backup your "main" computer data also. I recommend it, if at all possible.

Good luck.

 

My BIOS version is: 61PBM506 BF

The website (http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en-us/mb/bios.php?S_ID=315) has the current as: N61PM507.BSS

Not sure that would make the difference or not.


But GET THIS:

So out of desperation, I order what is supposed to be the EXACT SAME BOARD as what I had. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138111)

The components and layout are all the same, but the board color is different. Anyhow, I install everything, try to start it up... and get:
The MAX Power of CUP is over 95% Computer will shut down in...

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?!? So they send me supposedly the same board, which says it will take my processor (AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 6400+), but apparently it will NOT! My CPU runs at 125W and the old board never had a problem but this new one won't run it.

Under "My Account" on the Newegg site, if I click on the new or old MB I purchased, it goes to the exact same page!

For gods sakes!?!? I bet they did it on purpose.

 

Looking at the "CPU Support" list for the mobo, I don't see your processor being listed. The top-most entry is:

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 5600+

Your processor: AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 6400+

So, it would seem you are out of luck altogether on this one. The mobo is just not designed/rated to support the processor that you are trying to use.

 

Just a question. Are you running dual C D drives, If so did you try the disk in both drives when you tried to install???

You did make sure the first boot device in your Bios was Set to C.D. and the Second was set to harddrive??

Have you tried A Linux Set Up C.D. ?? I realize you may not want Linux but it may help track your problem.

Last Idea, Xp can be a issue loading on Sata Harddrives with out the drivers, With the IDE harddrives and C D drives Did you try to replace the IDE ribbon, I have seen that before.

Just trying to throw a few Ideas at ya, Hope it helps.

 

Holy crap, they must've changed that? In the Newegg spec section, it gives a generic "Athlon 64 X2"

As I said, I used this CPU in the original version. ARGHH!

I notice it also says on the Biostar page, "the specs are subject to change..."

I guess so, cause they have.

 

What, are they phasing out 125W CPU boards?

I can barely find ANY that I could buy.

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 6400+
along with
DDR2 800
memory seems rare.

My god, what a screwing!

 

It may be a good time for you to start a new thread on that very subject ... perhaps in the hardware forum .... ? You may get some worthwhile advice/information there that will help you.

I can be of little assistance to you with this matter, I am sorry.
Best wishes, and good luck.

 

Ha, this has turned very much into hardware issues.

Another question on the BIOS thing...
...I'm thinking of reinstalling the older board (that this thread was about) and try flashing the BIOS just to see what happens. What can it hurt at this point?

I don't have a floppy drive installed, so I guess I'll have to do that first.

Any other advice before I try?

Whatever it takes to get my system to see that accursed hard drive!

 

Hmmmmm .... I thought that might be the case.

Give me a little time to get a useful reply organised, and I will get back to you.

 

Cannot get past your first post.
Quick NTFS format,THEN delete the partition? That defeats the entire purpose of formatting the drive.
Should delete the partition, then do a full(not quick) format for the best results.
Could be the cause because there is nothing on the drive to install to.Think vacuum or void.

 

Flashing the BIOS is risky business ... and if you proceed you should take all the care necessary to do the job correctly. The worst that can happen ... ? You get to waste some more time, and render the mobo useless.

I personally would be leaving the BIOS version as is for the moment, until all hope is lost: I don't think there is much chance that it will make any difference.
-----------------

The first thing that I would suggest is to check all the hardware connections and jumpers etc .... to ensure that there can be no cause for failure in this regard.

Then, I would suggest that you .... ignore my previous instructions pertaining to dban and download the correct version to run on a dual-core machine ... which appears to be dban version 2.0 .... and proceed.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/dban/files/dban/dban-2.0.0_powerpc.iso/download
http://www.dban.org/
--------------------------------
DBAN Help
Known Problems
http://www.dban.org/help

* =If you have a computer with an Intel Core Duo processor, then you must use the DBAN 2.0 pre-release to get full performance.
* The keyboard may be unresponsive at the "Device Selection" dialog on some Apple MacBook Pro laptop computers. Use "autonuke" instead of interactive mode on these computers until the bug is fixed.
* If your computer usually crashes, then DBAN is likely to crash with a "kernel panic" or "sanity error" too. DBAN does not run on computers with bad hardware.
=============
Download the version for floppy or usb flashdrive here:
http://downloads.sourceforge.net/dban/dban-beta.2007042900_i386.zip?download

 

In my last post, I wrote:

That info is not correct: Inside the zip file there is an .iso file for burning to CD. This is not designed to make a bootable floppy or usb flashdrive. There is no version after 1.0.7 that will allow you to make a bootable floppy or bootable usb flashdrive.
---------------
Bearing in mind your situation (namely that you are using a dual-core processor):
If you wish to use dban, then it would seem that your only option is to burn a CD, using either of the two .iso files available, namely:
1. Preview Release
* Download Darik's Boot and Nuke 2.0.0
o for DBAN for recent Intel and AMD computers. (This beta is of production quality, but it never got tagged.)
http://downloads.sourceforge.net/dban/dban-beta.2007042900_i386.zip?download

or ....
2. http://sourceforge.net/projects/dban/files/dban/dban-2.0.0_powerpc.iso/download
I guess that I would choose this second option ... but I cannot offer any further advice on this matter, I am sorry.
=================
There is no reason to expect that doing the above would enable you to boot from the CD this time, since you couldn't get the system to boot from CD the last time you tried.

Therefore, I am going to suggest you go straight for the kill .... and download Killdisk ... "Download Bootable Disk Creator for DOS version of Killdisk (Free) (USB Flash & Floppy)" ... and boot from a USB flashdrive. I have just now prepared one for myself to see what was necessary ... and am pleased to report that it couldn't get any easier.

KILLDISK
Active @ Killdisk: http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

"Download Bootable Disk Creator for DOS version of Killdisk (Free) (USB Flash & Floppy)"
http://software.lsoft.net/killdiskfloppysetup.exe
-------------
Download and run the file with your flashdrive connected. Point the application at the flashdrive ***make absolutely sure of this*** ... and allow it to format the drive and load the files. That is all there is to it, and the flashdrive is ready for you to use.

Good luck.

 

Since you questioned that, I put the drive temporarily into my backup system, ran disk management, set a new partition/drive, and did a full NTFS format.

Also, in the BIOS, it sees it as a 160GB drive.

Also, when I put the drive in the backup system and started a WinXP install (to test both drive and disk), it seemed to work, implying both are fine.

I also swapped out 3 different cables.

It's got to be the motherboard, or something associated with startup. The CD/DVD drive, the hard drive, and the WinXP disk all work in other systems.

 

Well my backup system has a floppy drive, so I could install it for this emergency...

But yes, I already tried those other options, but during startup my system just refuses to boot off anything in the CD drive unless it's the only thing on the cable.

 

So, can you disconnect every hard drive in your backup computer .... and then connect the problematic hard drive and boot to floppy and dban the hard drive that way?

Then put it back in the other system and see if it has changed it's behaviour.

 

I have no clue what to do.

I've checked every jumper and cable connection and BIOS setting in every combination a dozen times over.

And I can't load ANYTHING from the CD drive during startup. It simply refused to boot from it.

I guess if I install the floppy drive from my backup system, I could boot something from that...

 

I will try that and report back.

So the dban -- is that for floppy or CD?

I burnt it to CD when you first gave the link the other day...

 

Good ..

I gave you links for both ...

If you choose the .iso file to download and have burned it to CD, then use that by all means.

 

ussually you hit del button to get to bios, f12 to boot from cd/dvd/usb drive..

i would try useing multiple diffrent versions on windows, i know some pc's i have tried to install windows on and some versions worked and some didnt. If you have a newer pc, i would advise to download windows 7 for free and get a free serial via MS instead of getting some possibly virus ridden "clean" xp torrent. Also try a live cd of linux ubuntu to make sure its not a hardware problem. Im useing windows 7 and so far i think its pretty great. esp for being compatible with stuff, the only thing is i wish it had the cube feature like ubuntu

 

Put hard drive in backup system.

Killdisk worked, but dban Nuke would not.

Didn't make any difference when I put it back in the troublesome system though.

Makes sense, since the drive never seemed to be the problem; when I put it in the backup system, it is recognized and can be installed to.


NOTE: What if I installed WinXP on the drive, on my backup system... Then put that drive in the troublesome system? Would it even start up, or get BSODs?

Cause if it would just start, then I could maybe again re-install WinXP, but from within the OS, installed on the troublesome system!


Would that work?

 

I tried all options regarding boot sequence in the BIOS/POST.

I have 3 different install disks of WinXP, but they're valid (or are supposed to be! :confused )

I was going to experiment with my Win2K install disk, but can't find it.

 

THIS WORKED!!! Or at least it's seemed to!

I installed WinXP on the drive which I temporarily installed on my backup system...

Then moved the drive to the problematic system... And it started up FINE! Of course I had to install the MB and hardware drivers and so on... But so far so good.


Interestingly, I was going to use this as a way to install WinXP (again) from within the OS on the troublesome system. And I tried this. (so as to get it installed fresh on this hardware config) But I keep getting "The file nvrd32.sys could not be found" errors during setup...

So maybe I'll just keep the original XP installation that was done on the backup system, but now runs fine in the problematic system.

NOTE: Isn't it interesting that my system simply would NOT boot off the disk/see the hard drive... Yet once it had an OS on it, it now will!

NEW QUESTION: where do I get rid of the boot option of "Windows XP Professional Setup" ? Used to be in the boot.ini file. Surely I can just find the whole folder and delete it.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022

Gobsmacked !!!

 

"Interesting" .... does seem like an under-statement ? Job very well done! It is a very good lesson .... glad to have been a part of it.

I do not fully understand your new question .... or why you need to ask it in the first place. Why would you be seeing the ".... Setup" option at all ... I am asking myself.

Edit: ... unless maybe you still have the XP CD in your CD-ROM drive still ?

 

Well, after I installed XP and put the drive back into the troublesome system and WinXP started up (but with no drivers, etc), I wanted to then AGAIN reinstall it from within that OS. (since up til now, I couldn't do it from BIOS/POST)

Reason: to get a fresh, "proper" install with that (the troublesome system) hardware config; I feared perhaps some of the 'deeper level' registry stuff of the OS might not like being moved into an entirely new hardware system and would be problematic over time.

So I was going to bypass the BIOS/POST (the topic/problem of this entire thread), and install it again, fresh, on the troublesome system, from within the OS. But when I tried this, upon restart, I was getting that error at the very beginning of the install:
"The file nvrd32.sys could not be found"

I read a few places suggesting it could be the nvidia SATA MB chips or something... I went back into the OS and installed those, but still no change.

So due to whatever is causing that, I can't install a fresh copy now. NO MATTER. I've got it running, and I'll fix up and use the OS I've got on there. So far, so good.


HOWEVER, since I tried to do that fresh install from within WinXP, I now have a multi-boot option during start-up something like this:

Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Professional Setup.

With the setup highlighted by default.
Also, on the hard drive, there's a folder there I assume is that temp Windows setup/install folder...

So basically, I want to get rid of that option during boot-up, as well as get rid of the temp install folder.

Thanks a million for your help!!!

 

Use the link that I provided in my second-last post to support.microsoft ... and delete the "Setup" entry from your boot.ini text file.
-------------------

Please provide exact detail of location/name .... before I can offer comment on this.

There is no hurry ... so do NOT make any mistakes now !!!
-------------------

That is pretty much correct ... nothing to worry about and should be easily overcome ... but unless you are planning to use sata/raid at the current moment, it is not something to be concerned about since you are using IDE config and already have that working.
-----------------

There is no need at all to pursue this line of thought or activity !!!
Your OS is up and running and all is well. There is absolutely no need to be concerned and nothing to be gained by "installing afresh on that hardware configuration".

Relax and breathe easy ... you have DONE it !

 

FYI: To elaborate on the following ....

NB This entirely irrelevant now.

It seems your BIOS is configured to allow for the possibility that you may wish to install to a SATA configured hard drive .... even though you are not/were not intending to use one ie imagine that you are installing to a new sata/sata configured drive, rather than an IDE drive.

Shortly after the POST beep, in the status bar at the bottom of the page, there will appear an option to "Press F6 to install sata/raid drivers". You would then insert a floppy with the appropriate drivers (in this case the nvrd32.sys ... ) and load them, and then the installation could proceed as per usual.

Hope this helps you to understand where the "nvrd32.sys error" stands in the scheme of things.

 

Yes, the boot.ini link worked out, was able to get rid of it.

I agree regarding the system looking for SATA drivers/F6/nvrd32.sys error...

But since my install seems fully functional, I'm using it.


THANKS AGAIN!!!!!

Okay, now to make up for days of lost work! :-o

 

Congratulations.
Way to go, AustrAlien.

 

Your comment much appreciated ... thank you hrlow2.

By sheer chance, I became involved helping someone in the AVG Free Forum

http://forums.avg.com/ww.avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=4539

not so long ago ... and since then, I seem to have become a forum junkie ... ?

All I wanted to do was to learn some more ...... !

 

Sure and theres enough here to learn, if a body is willing to put forth the effort.