disk read error...

Ok, so I have read through the other threads with similar title and it does not seem to be the same cause...

I just purchased a barebones kit from tigerdirect (my first error was not researching...) it came with:

biostar P4M900-M7 F3 motherboard

intel pd 940 3.20 ghz processor with 4mb cache, 800MHz FSB, Presler, Dual-Core, Socket 775

1-Crucial 1GB DDR2PC2
1-Crucial 2GB DDR2PC2 (both 240 pin)

and an ATX Mini tower with 450 power supply.

After getting the board together and in the case... I moved my 40GB and 320GB HDDs and DVD-rom over to the set up.

...and then all I get is Disk read error press alt+ctrl+delete to restart.

At first I thought it was I did something that messed my drive, with o/s on it,
up. but it's in my old set up and, well, I'm typing this up.

I am running Windows XP. One friend said I need a Boot disk...if so, a second opinion to verify will be welcomed. (I do not have one being a friend built my old system 4 years back and didn't give me any software.

So any help will be awesome.

 

:wave Welcome to Major Geeks! :major

Unfortunately, Windows XP has a way of 'bonding' with the hardware in a system. So when the hard drive is removed from one system, and connected to a completely different motherboard, Windows will not boot 97% of the time, and will crash. A safe repair install of XP will usually fix the problem. However, a "disk read error" is not usually what happens. Disconnect all the drives from the new system except for the drive with the OS on it. If it's an IDE drive, make sure it is set for Master (not Cable Select). Go into the system BIOS and make sure the motherboard is recognizing the drive correctly. Then set the boot order to go to the CD first (you'll need this eventually) and the hard drive second. If you have a floppy drive, be sure there's no disks in it. Save the BIOS changes and restart the PC. Let us know what happens.....
:-D

[dlb]

(always make sure that the power cord is NOT plugged in to the PC any time you open up the case and get in there to work on it; some systems stay 'hot' even when powered down and removing the power cord is the most sure-fire way to be sure to voltage is going to the system)

 

Hi brandedtribal1, and welcome to MGs!! Is this the system you bought? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4319065&Sku=B450-2372 B You mentioned that you moved your 2 HDDs over to the new set up and I'm assuming that you didn't re-format the drives before you did so, right? The reason I ask is because you took 2 HDDs out of a 4 year old system and put them into a newer one with all the old drivers still on them, MB, Vid card, sound card, etc. and they may not be compatible with the new board, especially the MB drivers. Also I noticed, that your new setup did not come with a HSF (heatsink\fan for the CPU) and, hopefully, you did install one. The other thing I would look into, once you're up and running, is another PSU. Usually, the ones that come with a no-name case aren't the most efficient and are more prone to failure than the brand named PSUs.
You mentioned using a bootdisk, that MAY help and if you don't have one, you can get one here for free http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm Just pick the OS you're using and follow the instructions.

 

Sorry dlb, it looks like we both posted at the same time!!

 

Awesome...
I did buy a fan/heatsink setup.
I have already attempted:
not having any drive but the on with the os
going into the bios does show both hdd's and the cd/dvd drive (they are IDE)
set the same drive boot order
just to see what happens I even only connected the slave drive...and it said cannot find O/S

I will double check to make sure that the o/s drive is set to Master and not cable select (I'm 99% sure it's set correctly...but will dbl check)

 

oops, yes stubby... that is the system

 

You said you have 2 hard drives, both IDE. A 40gb and a 320gb. Which was the original boot drive, drive C:? If you try set it as the master with the new hardware, it won't boot. It WILL crash. If you set it as a slave, and the other drive (that wasn't drive C) as the master, it will crash if it doesn't have a Windows install on it that was created with the new hardware. So... you MUST re-install Windows; either do a clean install on one of the drives, or do a repair install on the former drive C:. These are the only two ways to get the new hardware up and running.

 

Many thanks, when I get it up and running.... I will update you.

 

Once again, I thank you guys... I ended up having to go out purchase my very own copy of XP...it's just it took a week and a half to have the money.
But now I am on the system and loving it