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Thread ID: 98179 2009-03-14 10:57:00 Computer won't boot from CD!? WarNox (8772) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
756305 2009-03-14 10:57:00 Hey!

I want to format my winxp partition on my laptop but the computer seems to get stuck.

My hdd:
| windows xp pro:30gb | ubuntu:10gb |

The laptop is set to boot from cd but it always gets stuck on the same prompt.
1. Press any key to boot from cd... - works fine
2. Inspecting your computer hardware
3. The above message disappears but and then the screen goes black and computer hangs - the 'busy' light remains on

I've tried 2 different windows CDs which normally work and both do the same thing.

A Linux Debian cd gets stuck on "Loading module 'sbp2' for 'FireWire CDROM support' ... "

So I'm guessing its something to do with the error above!? But there is hardly any information out there.

You guys got any ideas on what I can do?

Thanks,



Gregor
WarNox (8772)
756306 2009-03-14 11:46:00 Boot from USB? Wardog (6821)
756307 2009-03-14 20:45:00 Will cd's load and play / work when the laptop is running in the Usual OS ?

The laptops drive is possibly faulty.
wainuitech (129)
756308 2009-03-14 21:12:00 I haven't got a USB drive to test it like that.

The CD rom works fine in normal OS operating mode.

Strange because the computer won't boot with any bootable CD...
WarNox (8772)
756309 2009-03-14 21:53:00 Two other items come to mind - have you done a Memory test on the laptop ?

Download page ( . memtest86 . com/download . html" target="_blank">www . memtest86 . com) get the zipped ISO file, extract it, and using your ISO burning software, burn a bootable CD, boot from the CD, and if there are any faults in the memory they will show up in red . If that wont load then there could be hardware problem, as memtest is very small , and only loads into the memory .

AND its also possible the HDD has a fault .
wainuitech (129)
756310 2009-03-14 22:03:00 Also-try updating your BIOS to the latest version.

And unplug your IDE drive, then see if that happens
Blam (54)
756311 2009-03-14 22:34:00 I will try the two things above and let you know how it goes.

The computer did manage to boot into the ubuntu live cd though, this is strange.
WarNox (8772)
756312 2009-03-14 23:41:00 I will try the two things above and let you know how it goes.

The computer did manage to boot into the ubuntu live cd though, this is strange.Sounds more like a HDD fault, or the Header for the HDD someplace, you can boot into the linux CD without a HDD attached.

Don't suppose you have a spare HDD laying about to test ?
wainuitech (129)
756313 2009-03-15 02:11:00 Ok I did a BIOS update and still the same.

Yea I don't have a spare 2.5" ide drive to test on, no idea what else I can try. Didn't do the memory test yet but don't see why that would fail.

I can run the setup from windows and then boot into the installation but that way it won't let me erase the current partition because that's where it will get the files from. So the only way is to somehow get the computer to boot from the CD. I'll see if I can find a spare 2.5" drive at work tomorrow.

Thanks for your help.
WarNox (8772)
756314 2009-03-15 02:19:00 Remove the IDE drive, and see if it happens.

I'm am quite sure this is a HDD fault
Blam (54)
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