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GA-5AX + WD800JB 80GB Hard Drive = ????
Motherboard: GA-5AX Rev1.3
Bios: Award Modular Bios V4.51PG flashed to GA-5AX F4
Computer picks up the hard drive when it POSTs, it then asks me if I want to start windows normally, safemode, etc. but when I select any option the computer freezes and the keyboard goes 'dead'.
Background info: I have a Quantum Fireball CX13.0A hard drive with Windows home edition upgraded from windows 98SE. It started spontaneously restarting on me and when/if windows does load I have about a 1 minute window after which it restarts. This hard drive checked out fine physically so I got the WD800JB 80GB to have more space and to get my files, etc off of the Quantum then format it and start over.
Oh! I tried uninstalling XP and re-installing but I get blue screen errors, etc and even during this process it would re-start...my patience wore thin so I decided to just get another drive and go that route.
Now of course...I am still without a desktop.
I have formatted the WD800JB and installed XP professional on it...but it never starts.
After I updated the bios to GA-5AX F4 it picks up the WD800JB just fine but now I have a freezing issue.
Please help with what this problem could possibly be before I throw the computer out of the window.
Is the WD800JD too large at 80GB for the motherboard.....it is a 10 yr old board.
Bios: Award Modular Bios V4.51PG flashed to GA-5AX F4
Computer picks up the hard drive when it POSTs, it then asks me if I want to start windows normally, safemode, etc. but when I select any option the computer freezes and the keyboard goes 'dead'.
Background info: I have a Quantum Fireball CX13.0A hard drive with Windows home edition upgraded from windows 98SE. It started spontaneously restarting on me and when/if windows does load I have about a 1 minute window after which it restarts. This hard drive checked out fine physically so I got the WD800JB 80GB to have more space and to get my files, etc off of the Quantum then format it and start over.
Oh! I tried uninstalling XP and re-installing but I get blue screen errors, etc and even during this process it would re-start...my patience wore thin so I decided to just get another drive and go that route.
Now of course...I am still without a desktop.
I have formatted the WD800JB and installed XP professional on it...but it never starts.
After I updated the bios to GA-5AX F4 it picks up the WD800JB just fine but now I have a freezing issue.
Please help with what this problem could possibly be before I throw the computer out of the window.
Is the WD800JD too large at 80GB for the motherboard.....it is a 10 yr old board.
SOLUTION
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ASKER
PCBONEZ: The hard drive setting is already set to "LBA Mode" it was automatically assigned by BIOS.
dbrunton: I am downloading the UBCD$WinV313.exe now and will give that a try.
Please hang in here with me as I apply your suggestions and recommedation.
dbrunton: I am downloading the UBCD$WinV313.exe now and will give that a try.
Please hang in here with me as I apply your suggestions and recommedation.
Okay,
I have no explanation but I've seen this strange behavior numerous times with various models of Western Digital IDE drives:
-
Using the same motherboard with several of the exact same model WD drives installed as single drives and one at a time. - Some work only if jumpered as "Primary Master", others only jumpered as "Cable Select".
Then if you try two drives on the controller some sets only work if jumpered as Master and Slave and other sets only work if both are jumpered to Cable Select.
Then, if you move them to a different controller (different motherboard) some times they like the jumper the same way and sometimes they'll only work if you switch it.
-
It makes no sense to me because they should work equally well as either Master/Slave or Cable Select but they don't and which way they 'like' seems random. - But I've seen it numerous times when testing bulk lots of WD 20Gb, 40GB, 120GB, 160GB, and 250GB drives and using a variety of different motherboards.
Some of the drives came to me used but at least 1/2 were brand new.
The models have been WD__AB, WD__EB, WD__BB, WD__JB, WD__SB,
-
The only things in common were they were all Western Digital IDE drives, they were all picky about where the jumper was, and they all worked FINE once I figured out which way they 'wanted' their jumpers.
If you are jumpered as Cable Select try changing it to Master (or visa'versa).
.
I have no explanation but I've seen this strange behavior numerous times with various models of Western Digital IDE drives:
-
Using the same motherboard with several of the exact same model WD drives installed as single drives and one at a time. - Some work only if jumpered as "Primary Master", others only jumpered as "Cable Select".
Then if you try two drives on the controller some sets only work if jumpered as Master and Slave and other sets only work if both are jumpered to Cable Select.
Then, if you move them to a different controller (different motherboard) some times they like the jumper the same way and sometimes they'll only work if you switch it.
-
It makes no sense to me because they should work equally well as either Master/Slave or Cable Select but they don't and which way they 'like' seems random. - But I've seen it numerous times when testing bulk lots of WD 20Gb, 40GB, 120GB, 160GB, and 250GB drives and using a variety of different motherboards.
Some of the drives came to me used but at least 1/2 were brand new.
The models have been WD__AB, WD__EB, WD__BB, WD__JB, WD__SB,
-
The only things in common were they were all Western Digital IDE drives, they were all picky about where the jumper was, and they all worked FINE once I figured out which way they 'wanted' their jumpers.
If you are jumpered as Cable Select try changing it to Master (or visa'versa).
.
ASKER
dbrunton: I created the CD, it appeared to be loading xp then I got a blue-screen-stop error:
stop: 0x0000007E (0xC0000005,0x8040FB25,0xF
The entire message is as follows:
A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:
Check to be sure you have adequate disk space. If a driver is identified in the stop message, disable the driver or check with the manufacturer for driver updates. Try changing video adapters.
Check with your hardware vendor for any BIOS updates. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use SAFE mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.
Technical infomation:
*** Stop: 0x0000007E (0xC0000005,0x8040FB25,0xF
My keyboard stops working so I have to power off, unplug the computer for a few minutes then power back on. When I press the restart button the screen goes black and nothing happens.
Please help!!!!!! I have been at this since 7am
stop: 0x0000007E (0xC0000005,0x8040FB25,0xF
The entire message is as follows:
A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:
Check to be sure you have adequate disk space. If a driver is identified in the stop message, disable the driver or check with the manufacturer for driver updates. Try changing video adapters.
Check with your hardware vendor for any BIOS updates. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use SAFE mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.
Technical infomation:
*** Stop: 0x0000007E (0xC0000005,0x8040FB25,0xF
My keyboard stops working so I have to power off, unplug the computer for a few minutes then power back on. When I press the restart button the screen goes black and nothing happens.
Please help!!!!!! I have been at this since 7am
In your BIOS change the first boot device to CD. You are still booting off the hard disk.
The error you are getting is a hardware error.
The error you are getting is a hardware error.
What file system are you using?
Are you using the old FAT32 left over from Windows 98?
- XP (and Win2K) can read and write to FAT disks over 32GB but it cannot format in FAT32 over 32GB. (It's a limit Microsoft put in the OS's for no particularly good reason.)
-
If you tried to use XP to format the drive over 32GB and you selected FAT32 that could cause these problems. (And thanks to Microsoft's infinite wisdom (CHOKE!) and thorough planning there is no message that tells you not to do that when and you try. - Sometimes it 'looks' like it completed the format but it actually doesn't, it just stops and goes back to the previous screen.
[This may be why it keeps saying the disk is full when it isn't. The creation of the Master Boot Record and File Allocation Tables never finished and they are still open files.]
If you want to use XP or Win2k to format a drive over 32 GB you must select the NTFS file system.
- If you have anything on the drive it will be gone afterwards so save it to someplace else first.
Options if this is the problem:
Opt 1: Format in FAT32 using a Win98 setup disk then tell XP to install to the existing partition without formatting it with XP. (Should work but not the best choice. You may not be able to run scandisk/chkdsk later on.)
Opt 2: Format using the XP install but use the NTFS file system.
Opt 3: Repartition the drive so that no partition is over 32 GB and then you can use XP to create FAT32 partitions.
There is a conversion procedure for FAT32 to NTFS but if what I'm suggesting is the problem I don't think that will work here. You have to do that with a properly working/created FAT32 partition (and I flat don't know if it will even work for partitions over 32GB).
As this drive has been through so many changes I would delete all the partitions and start fresh to ensure a completely new Master Boot Record and File Allocation Tables are created.
Unless you need to access and read/write to the drive with Win98 (or some versions of Linux) then NTFS is a choice than FAT32 anyway. NTFS is less prone to file system errors, more secure (allows permissions), and does a better job of keeping the drive from getting fragmented.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314463
[It says "during installation" but it's actually always.]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/184006
[Talks about W2k only but it's old and XP is the same as W2k on this.]
.
Are you using the old FAT32 left over from Windows 98?
- XP (and Win2K) can read and write to FAT disks over 32GB but it cannot format in FAT32 over 32GB. (It's a limit Microsoft put in the OS's for no particularly good reason.)
-
If you tried to use XP to format the drive over 32GB and you selected FAT32 that could cause these problems. (And thanks to Microsoft's infinite wisdom (CHOKE!) and thorough planning there is no message that tells you not to do that when and you try. - Sometimes it 'looks' like it completed the format but it actually doesn't, it just stops and goes back to the previous screen.
[This may be why it keeps saying the disk is full when it isn't. The creation of the Master Boot Record and File Allocation Tables never finished and they are still open files.]
If you want to use XP or Win2k to format a drive over 32 GB you must select the NTFS file system.
- If you have anything on the drive it will be gone afterwards so save it to someplace else first.
Options if this is the problem:
Opt 1: Format in FAT32 using a Win98 setup disk then tell XP to install to the existing partition without formatting it with XP. (Should work but not the best choice. You may not be able to run scandisk/chkdsk later on.)
Opt 2: Format using the XP install but use the NTFS file system.
Opt 3: Repartition the drive so that no partition is over 32 GB and then you can use XP to create FAT32 partitions.
There is a conversion procedure for FAT32 to NTFS but if what I'm suggesting is the problem I don't think that will work here. You have to do that with a properly working/created FAT32 partition (and I flat don't know if it will even work for partitions over 32GB).
As this drive has been through so many changes I would delete all the partitions and start fresh to ensure a completely new Master Boot Record and File Allocation Tables are created.
Unless you need to access and read/write to the drive with Win98 (or some versions of Linux) then NTFS is a choice than FAT32 anyway. NTFS is less prone to file system errors, more secure (allows permissions), and does a better job of keeping the drive from getting fragmented.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314463
[It says "during installation" but it's actually always.]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/184006
[Talks about W2k only but it's old and XP is the same as W2k on this.]
.
ASKER
dbrunton: The Ultimate CD for windows loads and when I tried to do a memory test it did a few tests then I got an error then the computer froze/hung (this was yesterday). At POST the memory test repeats three times before moving on to detecting my drive & cdrom (this is everyday now)
(right now) When I select launch Ultimate Boot CD for Windows it says now loading, then it says please wait... and nothing happens. Right now the computer is frozen and the keyboard is not working but the 'num lock' light remains on...won't cut off. 'ctrl-alt-del' doesn't work and I have to press and hold the power key, unplug the computer, and wait a bit.
Yesterday the UBCD seemed to be working fine it gave me the Windows XP screen but then I got the blue screen stop error (I had already changed the bios to boot from CDrom First).
I am going to try the CD in my labtop just to be sure it is not the CD.
PCBONEZ: My co-worker fomatted my WD hardrive with XP Porfessional from his personal computer but I am sure he did a straight format, no partitions, etc. I can't tell because I can't get the desktop to work. When I start the computer normally (without the UBCD) it tells me an error occurred and windows had to shutdown, then it askes me to select start windows normally, in safemode, etc. the only choice that will give me any action is safemode but it freezes while it installs the drivers. With start windows normally or the last known good configuration as soon as I select either of those options the computer freezes/hangs...keyboard goes dead, and I have to press and hold the power button, unplug, then wait about 30 mins.
(right now) When I select launch Ultimate Boot CD for Windows it says now loading, then it says please wait... and nothing happens. Right now the computer is frozen and the keyboard is not working but the 'num lock' light remains on...won't cut off. 'ctrl-alt-del' doesn't work and I have to press and hold the power key, unplug the computer, and wait a bit.
Yesterday the UBCD seemed to be working fine it gave me the Windows XP screen but then I got the blue screen stop error (I had already changed the bios to boot from CDrom First).
I am going to try the CD in my labtop just to be sure it is not the CD.
PCBONEZ: My co-worker fomatted my WD hardrive with XP Porfessional from his personal computer but I am sure he did a straight format, no partitions, etc. I can't tell because I can't get the desktop to work. When I start the computer normally (without the UBCD) it tells me an error occurred and windows had to shutdown, then it askes me to select start windows normally, in safemode, etc. the only choice that will give me any action is safemode but it freezes while it installs the drivers. With start windows normally or the last known good configuration as soon as I select either of those options the computer freezes/hangs...keyboard goes dead, and I have to press and hold the power button, unplug, then wait about 30 mins.
You are using the UBCD for Windows? Interesting. The ordinary one is usually all you need to use.
If you are booting from either of the two UBCDs and they are crashing on you then the problem is the hardware.
You could try removing all memory and then wiping the sticks clean and blowing out the memory slots. Replace only one stick and then try the UBCD again (this is to determine if the memory is at fault).
No problems try the other memory sticks, one at a time.
If you are booting from either of the two UBCDs and they are crashing on you then the problem is the hardware.
You could try removing all memory and then wiping the sticks clean and blowing out the memory slots. Replace only one stick and then try the UBCD again (this is to determine if the memory is at fault).
No problems try the other memory sticks, one at a time.
""" Windows home edition upgraded from windows 98SE """
I'm fairly sure FAT32 and XP compatibility is in this mix somewhere.
If you use this:
http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm
(Use the DOS "Bootable Disk Creator" and make a floppy.)
It will give you a bootable floppy the will "write zeros" to the drive.
(You have to follow the instructions but it's not too hard.)
That will wipe everything (partitions, boot records, everything) and give you a clean disk (like factory new) to start with.
MAKE SURE you only have the drive you want to wipe installed - avoids mistakes!
Then using the XP install CD do a normal install of XP from the CD.
It takes a little longer this way because you have more check boxes to deal with on the way but XP will take care of the partitions and formating and all of that for you.
.
I'm fairly sure FAT32 and XP compatibility is in this mix somewhere.
If you use this:
http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm
(Use the DOS "Bootable Disk Creator" and make a floppy.)
It will give you a bootable floppy the will "write zeros" to the drive.
(You have to follow the instructions but it's not too hard.)
That will wipe everything (partitions, boot records, everything) and give you a clean disk (like factory new) to start with.
MAKE SURE you only have the drive you want to wipe installed - avoids mistakes!
Then using the XP install CD do a normal install of XP from the CD.
It takes a little longer this way because you have more check boxes to deal with on the way but XP will take care of the partitions and formating and all of that for you.
.
Oh,
The motherboard's memory test will run once for each bank of memory.
That's normal.
The motherboard's memory test will run once for each bank of memory.
That's normal.
ASKER
dbrunton: Did as you suggested with the memory stick (I just have one by the way only 128). Tried the memory test and got a 'Unexpected Interrupt - Halting' message. At the time the follow testing information was on the screen
Pass 7%
Test 31%
Test #4 [Moving inversions, random pattern]
Testing 128k - 128m 128m
Pattern 6277f6b
Below the message it gave me several 'codes'/stack???
You said the problem could be hardware. By that do you mean motherboard? Is there any sort of motherboard diagnostic program out there?
Pass 7%
Test 31%
Test #4 [Moving inversions, random pattern]
Testing 128k - 128m 128m
Pattern 6277f6b
Below the message it gave me several 'codes'/stack???
You said the problem could be hardware. By that do you mean motherboard? Is there any sort of motherboard diagnostic program out there?
If you haven't done so along the way then remove and reinstall the memory module about three times. Over time the connections in the socket will oxidize (yes even gold) and that is usually enough to restore a good connection by rubbing off the minute amounts of oxidation.
-
Then run the memory test again.
-
Then run the memory test again.
There's no real motherboard diagnostic program out there. It's more of a matter of process of elimination. The memory testing util is to eliminate the memory as the cause of the problem.
Note PCBONEZ's comments on the memory stick.
If you had another memory stick you could try that but at this stage from your results I'd say either motherboard or CPU failure.
Check your heatsink is not full of dust and that the fan is spinning easily. Get a desktop fan to blow onto the motherboard while the computer is running.
Note PCBONEZ's comments on the memory stick.
If you had another memory stick you could try that but at this stage from your results I'd say either motherboard or CPU failure.
Check your heatsink is not full of dust and that the fan is spinning easily. Get a desktop fan to blow onto the motherboard while the computer is running.
ASKER
My cpu fan was not working so I ordered a replacement...should arrive tomorrow. If it is a motherboard or cpu failure what course of action do either of you recommend.
Most everything is SATA but I still want to use my trusty old hard-drives, floppy, & cd roms (IDE Connections)
I have searched tigerdirect for motherboard/cpu combos but it is like looking for a needle in a haystack to find a board with 2 IDE headers..
Oh! is the FDD header for the floppy drive?
Do you also have any tips for me in looking for a new motherboard/cpu?
Thanks
Most everything is SATA but I still want to use my trusty old hard-drives, floppy, & cd roms (IDE Connections)
I have searched tigerdirect for motherboard/cpu combos but it is like looking for a needle in a haystack to find a board with 2 IDE headers..
Oh! is the FDD header for the floppy drive?
Do you also have any tips for me in looking for a new motherboard/cpu?
Thanks
FDD header is for the floppy drive. Note you can get away with one IDE header. That'll mean 2 devices on the same cable. If you have to have more than 2 IDE devices look at a Promise PCI card to add the extra IDE connections.
For motherboard get a Core 2 CPU and motherboard.
For motherboard get a Core 2 CPU and motherboard.
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ASKER
I have ordered a new power supply from tigerdirect....more wattage than my current. If that doesn't take care of my problems I am going to get a new motherboard/cpu combo, that will go with the new power supply, and memory. I may go with the new motherboard anyway because my current only takes ddram with 128pin (can't find any of those). From what I have priced on tiger that will be cheaper than a new system. I did find one (once I learned the terms of what the spec's mean) that has 1 FDD header, and 2 IDE, as well as an SATA for if/when I decide to go that route . I will also look into a barebone kit if the mother board doesn't fit my current tower.
Thank you so much to both of you for your GREAT help!!!! I truly think i can actually build a system now. I am still abit afraid of software stuff though, but the hardware is a sinch for me.
Thanks sooo much,
Lauren
Thank you so much to both of you for your GREAT help!!!! I truly think i can actually build a system now. I am still abit afraid of software stuff though, but the hardware is a sinch for me.
Thanks sooo much,
Lauren
If it's not then manually select it.
-
You will have to wipe and reformat the drive for LBA mode so if there is anything you can't lose on it then save it to another drive first.
.