PC Boot Up Problem

sL0c · 16-10-2004, 15:44

Hi, just after a bit of advice. I recently upgraded my motherboard but since installing it & setting it up it wont boot properly. When i turn it on it seems fine, goes through the memory testing then it comes 2 the screen where it says, load windows xp, safe mode, last good config etc. What ever1 i press it starts to load but then restarts... any ideas, it's driving me nuts. Thanks in advance. I have an Abit NF7, windows xp professional, athlon 200xp & 256 MB of DDR400 if that help at all

jamesclarke555 · 16-10-2004, 15:54

Hi sL0c, welcome to nthw

You may have a damaged/corrupted boot sector, if you have the Windows XP CD handy, boot from that and select the repair option.

jamesclarke555 · 16-10-2004, 15:58

Just noticed you got a new motherboard, I'm guesing you haven't reinstalled Windows, which is a must if you buy a new mobo. Your current Windows installation still believes you're old motherboard is still in your system and it throws a wobbly.

sL0c · 16-10-2004, 15:58

Hi

I put the CD in, it tried 2 load from it, then just goes straight 2 that screen with the options then does the same thing again.

jamesclarke555 · 16-10-2004, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by sL0c

Hi

I put the CD in, it tried 2 load from it, then just goes straight 2 that screen with the options then does the same thing again.

Make sure your boot options are correct in the BIOS, the CD-ROM must boot before your primary hard disk, to boot from CD.

paulyoung666 · 16-10-2004, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by sL0c

Hi

I put the CD in, it tried 2 load from it, then just goes straight 2 that screen with the options then does the same thing again.

i would be surprised if you will get anywhere unless you format the disk and start again , sorry

TheBlueRaja · 16-10-2004, 16:05

Yeah - thats the problem, i think if he repairs it - it should work though - as it will default back to normal settings and detect his new hardware. At least he wont loose all his files that way.

sL0c · 16-10-2004, 16:22

Thanks for the help guys, i think i'm gonna have 2 put my hard drive in my mates comp, back it up, format it, then stick it in my comp & re install windows. should do the trick! Also one more thing, i bought 256Mb DDR400, but when it boots it says DDR 266, do i have 2 set it in the BIOS or do u think I have been sent the wrong one (It was ebuyer so it wouldnt suprise me)

Cheers

jamesclarke555 · 16-10-2004, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by sL0c

Thanks for the help guys, i think i'm gonna have 2 put my hard drive in my mates comp, back it up, format it, then stick it in my comp & re install windows. should do the trick! Also one more thing, i bought 256Mb DDR400, but when it boots it says DDR 266, do i have 2 set it in the BIOS or do u think I have been sent the wrong one (It was ebuyer so it wouldnt suprise me)

Cheers

Looks like it's defaulting to DDR266 to match the FSB of your CPU

sL0c · 16-10-2004, 18:31

Right, ive got it up & working now... dont suppose u know how I change the Ram Speed?

16-10-2004, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by sL0c

Right, ive got it up & working now... dont suppose u know how I change the Ram Speed?

I think James had the answer, the mobo is set to detect the FSB speed for the processor, then sets the memory to the same speed.

Its a setting in the bios you need to change, but be aware that you should be very careful to understand any changes you make, as mistakes can be serious.

The setting is the 'CPU FSB/DRAM Ratio' - which is set to 'SPD', by default.

- it needs to be changed to 4/6 - which takes the 266 cpu speed, divides by 4 and times it by 6 to give 400 for the memory.

- that sounds ok, to me, but you might want to get a second opinion - just in case

jamesclarke555 · 16-10-2004, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by sL0c

Right, ive got it up & working now... dont suppose u know how I change the Ram Speed?

No point m8 unless you're overclocking, the RAM speed is dependant on the CPU's FSB, and to get the best results these two frequencies need to be synced at the same clock speed.

Gareth · 17-10-2004, 10:11

Erm, stable gate, horse, bolted and all that, but it is possible to repair an XP installation without having to resort to formatting the HDD. It's one of the options when you re-install. Setup scans your HD for a pre-existing instance and when it finds one, it asks if you want to fix that one. Have used that option when swapping mobo in machines.