NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm trying to fix up an older computer so I can network it with my other computer for gaming and such, and I put in a second hard drive. It was working a while ago, but it quit. When I turn it on it goes fine for a while, then it says "Disk I/O error. Replace disk, and press any key". I can't find my Windows ME disk, but I have an XP, and 95 disc. Any ideas would be appreciated.

I'm trying to fix up an older computer so I can network it with my other computer for gaming and such, and I put in a second hard drive. It was working a while ago, but it quit. When I turn it on it goes fine for a while, then it says "Disk I/O error. Replace disk, and press any key". I can't find my Windows ME disk, but I have an XP, and 95 disc. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Try a reformat re install with xp (assuming the computer stats handle xp)
Sometimes they loose their partition … (its weird but happens sometimes) see if you can get the boot disk to recognize the hard drive

If the boot disk does not recognize the hard drive make sure it is connected up right … try again.

If it still does not see it I would guess hard drive failure …will need a new one (it happens sometimes)


So basics

1) Check to see if boot disk recognizes hard drive
2) If so reformat reinstall (XP if the computer can handle it)
3) If !1 check cables
4) If still does not work after 3 … need new hard drive (most likely) could also try putting it in a new machine.

I got Windows XP partially installed. I think I formatted, and then it booted up with XP, but then while it was setting it up I got a popup saying "Setup failed to install product catalogs. This is a fatal error. Error Code: fffffc02." so I pressed okay at the bottom, and then a blank screen came up with "Registry file failure. The registry cannot find the hive (File): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE or it's log alternate.
It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.


Physical memory dump
Contact tech supposrt group for further assistance."


So thats where I am now. It's still at that screen, nothing on the keyboard affects it. And I have no idea about what I should try to do next? Any suggestions?

what do you mean you 'think' you formatted it ?

From the looks of it it's probably a faulty hard-drive, other than that it could have just got quite messed up and you just not formatted it properly.

unplug it, sell it on ebay as 'possessed by a dead relative', attach some cheesy story for increased profits, and buy a new one.

Make SURE that you're formatting it. When prompted, delete the partition currently on the drive and format it with a NEW partition. Leave the recommended size.

Otherwise, yeah, it sounds like your drive died. How old is it? What are the specs of the computer, can it handle xp?

Good luck.

I have no idea how old it is, I bought it from an office that was shutting down, so it's far from being new. I'ts 500MHz Pentium 3, 512k Cache, and it says 640k Base Memory and 64512 Extended Memory, but I'm not sure what those figures mean. My brother put in a second hard drive off an even older computer that we bought in '98, and I initially thought that was the problem, and if it could be I don't know how to take it back out.

When I try to format it it dosn't even give me the partition options. It just goes right ahead and does it when I put the disc in.

I have no idea how old it is, I bought it from an office that was shutting down, so it's far from being new. I'ts 500MHz Pentium 3, 512k Cache, and it says 640k Base Memory and 64512 Extended Memory, but I'm not sure what those figures mean. My brother put in a second hard drive off an even older computer that we bought in '98, and I initially thought that was the problem, and if it could be I don't know how to take it back out.

When I try to format it it dosn't even give me the partition options. It just goes right ahead and does it when I put the disc in.
Go to the recovery console, then type "format C:".

I have no idea how old it is, I bought it from an office that was shutting down, so it's far from being new. I'ts 500MHz Pentium 3, 512k Cache, and it says 640k Base Memory and 64512 Extended Memory, but I'm not sure what those figures mean. My brother put in a second hard drive off an even older computer that we bought in '98, and I initially thought that was the problem, and if it could be I don't know how to take it back out.

When I try to format it it dosn't even give me the partition options. It just goes right ahead and does it when I put the disc in.
i got to 500mhz and came to this conclusion.

GET A NEW COMPUTER.

hp is making a nice new athlon system, like 799 USD + tax (maybe cheaper, i forgot)

I'm not sure if I can offer any help, but I think I've experianced a similar thing, so I'll give it a go.

A similar sounding thing happened with one of my old harddisks, all of a sudden it just didnt want to work. The disk had actually become faulty.
This sounds like the case with your system.

Also, from the specs you've listed, I don't think XP (either version) will work on your machine, for its age, I think you'd be better off installing Win95.

If you can boot up your PC into windows using the working HDD, in the RUN command box (Found on the Start menu), type in 'FDISK' (NON-XP operating systems, I'm not sure of the new XP command name for it, sorry)
This will bring up a menu which allows you to delete and format partitions of your harddisk, in preperation of installing an operating system.

Semi-Unrelated
I know this works with ME and XP, but if you have a MASTER harddisk (physically set using jumpers on the back of your HDD), which is pre-formatted (has a copy of windows or Linux, etc, installed on it), and physically connect the newly formatted harddisk to your PC (with the PC switched off!)
When you boot up the PC, it *should* treat the unformatted harddisk the same way it treats an unformatted floppydisk.. and format it to work on your operating system for you.

Whenever I use FDISK, I have a copy on a boot-up floppydisk which automatically kicks in when I turn on my machine which I want formatted.
If you would like a copy of this (and instructions how to use it) or any help with this, please send me a NationStates Telegram

Hope this helps ^_^

I'm serious, sell it on ebay as possessed and or antique computer attach some sort of cheesy story to it and you might get enough money to buy yourself a new alienware or commodore (or whatever your computer preferences run to)

Buy a new computer. Or just the components for the computer and don't buy a casing.