Re: Setup does not continue after XP preinstall and reboot
On Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:39:01 -0700, mugentuner
<mugentuner@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Yes, exactly, low level format would zero out the drive I believe.
Not really.
A true low-level format is an obsolete technique that used to work
with older hard drives. If you use such a program on a modern drive,
it doesn't zero out the drive, but *destroys* it. They are extremely
dangerous and everyone should be sure to avoid them
Unfortunately there are also some programs available that are called
low-level format, but are not really low-level format programs; they
just zero out the drive, as you say. Although those are not dangerous,
their name confuses the issue, and increases the risk that someone may
use a real low-level format program on a modern drive, and thereby
destroy it.
> "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>
> > "mugentuner" <mugentuner@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:537A41DE-4C11-4928-B484-723FB55178FC@microsoft.com...
> > > Yeah, thought about that as well, but i don't have any PCI cards, extra
> > > hd's
> > > or even USB devices connected when trying this clean install. I guess i
> > > could try removing a stick of memory and see if that helps. Have now gone
> > > back to fdisk and i'm doing a low level format
> >
> > fdisk does not format, it partitions, and a genuine low level format can be
> > a bad idea if it's even possible.
> >
> > > to see if that works,
> >
> > Again, a genuine low-level format is often not possible.
> >
> > What you are referring to as a low-level format is likely not, but rather
> > the "slow" format that checks the disk surface as it runs. The "fast"
> > format skips this step.
> >
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_formatting
> >
> > > and then
> > > try a reinstall. If not, will use a 'killdisk' on this drive to wipe it
> > > at
> > > least twice and then proceed. The pc is just not responding to this drive
> > > last time i checked and it just sits there with no errors or anything.
> > > Very
> > > strange. Whats weird is i've done a clean install on this drive before
> > > when
> > > windows got corrupted a while ago.
> >
> > Have you ever had automobile brakes wear? For a while they're OK, then
> > they start to fail.
> >
> > > Also, even tried setting the drive
> > > jumpers to 'master' on a single IDE cable and still no go. Any other
> > > experts
> > > want to chime in as well? Thanks
> >
> > Substitute another new drive - these are cheap now (where I am, 500 gig
> > drives are under $70).
> >
> > If the problem persists, it's not the drive, if the install poroceeds, the
> > faulty drive is, well, faulty and should be discarded.
> >
> > HTH
> > -pk
> >
> >
> > >
> > > "Ken" wrote:
> > >
> > >> mugentuner wrote:
> > >> > I was trying to do a clean install of xp pro with a new HD and I let XP
> > >> > setup
> > >> > format
> > >> > the disc and copy all of its setup files e.t.c. When rebooting the pc,
> > >> > the
> > >> > Hard drive does not boot up to continue with the install. I've checked
> > >> > the
> > >> > boot order of the BIOS e.t.c., but it is just stuck on initial startup
> > >> > and
> > >> > will not boot. Any ideas? I've used fdisk and checked the Hard drive
> > >> > and
> > >> > the file structure looks to be in place and set as the active
> > >> > partition. Any
> > >> > help appreciated.
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> There are probably others more knowledgeable about this problem than I,
> > >> but most of the times I saw it the problem was a piece of hardware that
> > >> Windows could not deal with. If it were my computer I would remove any
> > >> unnecessary hardware (plug in cards) and try it. Once Windows is loaded
> > >> it generally is easier to deal with them.
> > >>
> >
> >
> >
--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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