Hardware·18,997 discussions

Unique Boot Problem

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Cannot boot to harddrive. However, can install same drive in different machine and boots ok. Can also insert bootible CD and when prompted to “Press key…” I do nothing and boots to harddrive just fine. Check boot file and is identical to other machine. As precaution did Windows no-reformat repair, removed suspected program installed (norton360) with no change.

Any suggestions?

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Clarifications

In reply to Unique Boot Problem

Clarifications

A few things to check out…

In reply to Unique Boot Problem

1). Power supply
2). Memory.
3). Hdd cable(s) (power and data cable).
Solution(s) to above:
Get some (if possible) spares that you can try out, I:E. spare power supply/memory/hdd cable(s).

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

If this is a SATA HDD

In reply to Unique Boot Problem

You need to install the SATA driver as Windows doesn’t natively support this hardware. Though depending on the M’Board being used when you insert the Install Disc it can allow the system to appear to boot normally.

So when you either install Windows or do the Repair Install at the first Blue Screen you need to press the [b]F6 Key[/b] and then insert a Floppy with the SATA Driver for your M’Board and your OS then press enter. On the other M’Board it is likely that this M’Board supports the SATA Drive in BIOS unlike your M’Board in the first computer.

Col

Unique Boot Problem

In reply to Unique Boot Problem

Turns out that even though I swore there was no damage to the ribbon cable, that is in fact what the problem was. There was a very small section where heat/abrasion did penatrate outer jacket shorting several wires. Thanks for you help

[Author]

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