looking for your opinions regarding an OS boot-up problem - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

settie · 08-29-2008, 10:42 PM

Hello everyone.
I did a search on these topics, with no luck.

Recently, a PC I built (running on Win XP Pro) lost a significant amount of drivers. I tried fixing that with Windows repair, which failed miserably, so I just moved the important files to the IDE H.D.D. in the computer, and reformatted the SATA H.D.D.

Problem is, the IDE is now C:, and SATA is D: *bangs head on desk* When reformatting, it did this automatically, as the IDE was plugged into the mobo still.

As most of you know, Windows looks to the C drive first. It can't find OS to boot, so it asks for the OS CD too boot from. The PC refuses to read the D: and boot from it!

I've looked online to figure out how to solve this problem so far, nothing I've tried within BIOS has worked...I need a solution, and fast. This is getting to be very troublesome.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Zweiblumen · 08-30-2008, 02:49 AM

First of all there are 2 important questions you have to ask yourself:
Where are the files for the OS : One the IDE or the SATA drive
Is a vaild MBR on both drives.

XP can be installed so that all the OS files are somewhere else that C: but it's a major pain in the ... since too many applications/programs/drivers etc. assume that C is the first HD. The diskmanager in XP can change how driveletters are assigned maybe that can help you.

Changing the boot order in the BIOS might also be a part of the solution.

I had a machine where the C drive was a memorycard reader after hours of playing with it I had to reinstall XP with the cardreader disconnected.

Give us more details on how your current situation is (in regards to this problem :-) and what your gold is.

Yours
ZB

settie · 08-30-2008, 09:39 PM

The files for the OS are on the SATA drive. The IDE drive is just acting as a extra drive to store copies of important files...no MBR on it.

I'll have to find out how to access diskmanager now, and change the assignment of the driveletters.
The boot order in the BIOS is fine...it first reads the hard drives, then the disc drives, that's it.
If I can't figure out diskmanager, I will have to disconnect the IDE drive *sighs*
I really don't want to, but if I must...*grumbles*

Vigilante · 08-30-2008, 11:13 PM

I guess you know now, but ALWAYS install XP with just one drive active. I don't think you can easily change the boot drive from D to C. Just pull the IDE and redo the OS on the SATA like before, then drop the IDE back in and set the BIOS to boot SATA first, if it isn't already.

08-29-2008, 10:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
settie Junkie	looking for your opinions regarding an OS boot-up problem Hello everyone. I did a search on these topics, with no luck. Recently, a PC I built (running on Win XP Pro) lost a significant amount of drivers. I tried fixing that with Windows repair, which failed miserably, so I just moved the important files to the IDE H.D.D. in the computer, and reformatted the SATA H.D.D. Problem is, the IDE is now C:, and SATA is D: bangs head on desk When reformatting, it did this automatically, as the IDE was plugged into the mobo still. As most of you know, Windows looks to the C drive first. It can't find OS to boot, so it asks for the OS CD too boot from. The PC refuses to read the D: and boot from it! I've looked online to figure out how to solve this problem so far, nothing I've tried within BIOS has worked...I need a solution, and fast. This is getting to be very troublesome. Any advice is much appreciated.

08-30-2008, 02:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Zweiblumen Insane Location: at home	First of all there are 2 important questions you have to ask yourself: Where are the files for the OS : One the IDE or the SATA drive Is a vaild MBR on both drives. XP can be installed so that all the OS files are somewhere else that C: but it's a major pain in the ... since too many applications/programs/drivers etc. assume that C is the first HD. The diskmanager in XP can change how driveletters are assigned maybe that can help you. Changing the boot order in the BIOS might also be a part of the solution. I had a machine where the C drive was a memorycard reader after hours of playing with it I had to reinstall XP with the cardreader disconnected. Give us more details on how your current situation is (in regards to this problem :-) and what your gold is. Yours ZB __________________ Sodomy non sapiens. : I'm buggered if I know

08-30-2008, 11:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Vigilante Broken Arrow Location: US	I guess you know now, but ALWAYS install XP with just one drive active. I don't think you can easily change the boot drive from D to C. Just pull the IDE and redo the OS on the SATA like before, then drop the IDE back in and set the BIOS to boot SATA first, if it isn't already. __________________ We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. -Winston Churchill

08-30-2008, 09:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
settie Junkie	The files for the OS are on the SATA drive. The IDE drive is just acting as a extra drive to store copies of important files...no MBR on it. I'll have to find out how to access diskmanager now, and change the assignment of the driveletters. The boot order in the BIOS is fine...it first reads the hard drives, then the disc drives, that's it. If I can't figure out diskmanager, I will have to disconnect the IDE drive sighs I really don't want to, but if I must...grumbles