Problematic IDE controller?

The_YongGrand · 27th Nov 2005, 10:50 AM

Someone dumped a P4 computer to my cousin, and I have to fix it to get it running properly.

The problem is, I couldn't even install WinXP or Win98 or whatever it is.

In WinXP CD boot install, after loading the loads of stuff, then enter the setup window which I can install WinXP, partition thing, I couldn't continue. It hangs there only.

And another one. I tried copying some stuff into the HDD. Still the same. When in the middle of copying from the CDROM to the HDD, it just stops there and the CDROM stops spinning. I have to press the reser button again.

Is this the symptom of a faulty IDE controller? I tried changing the cable and the HDD, but it's still the same. Please help.

Btw, the comp is P4 2.4GHz, ECS P4VMM2 02/12/2003 (I don't know the version-lah) and a 128 DDR 266 RAM...

Chai · 27th Nov 2005, 11:46 AM

Faulty CD? Faulty CD-ROM? RAM?

The_YongGrand · 27th Nov 2005, 12:44 PM

Faulty CD = nope.

Faulty CD-ROM = nope. THe thing stopped reading and the whole system hangs without any warnings/notices whatsoever.

Faulty RAM = let me check...

Adrian Wong · 27th Nov 2005, 11:56 PM

Yeah, try scanning with Memtest 86.

Have you tried switching the hard drive from the Primary IDE controller to the Secondary IDE controller?

Also, check your PSU's voltage ratings in the BIOS. See if everything is within parameters?

SilentBotts · 28th Nov 2005, 02:30 AM

Will XP even run on 128 Megs? I'm mostly sure it won't, and possibly the installation is killing itself because there is not enough.
I've never installed XP on anything with less than 512 though, so that’s just speculation.

The_YongGrand · 28th Nov 2005, 10:15 AM

I'll try using the HDD as a 2nd-ary IDE controller. But will it go through the 2nd-ary without going to primary? I mean, all HDDs are 'programmed' to go thru Primary-IDE controller no matter what.

There's tons of tests in Memtest86. Which one does actually detect most common errors?

I just don't know what's these PSU ratings in the comp. It's too confusing, and this P4 is an old one - with 400MHz FSB and 512KB cache. And the temps when starting the comp - 83 degrees celcius!

:wall

zachig · 28th Nov 2005, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentBotts

Will XP even run on 128 Megs? I'm mostly sure it won't, and possibly the installation is killing itself because there is not enough.
I've never installed XP on anything with less than 512 though, so that’s just speculation.

I'm not sure about 128MB, but I've once installed WinXP on a system with 256MB and it worked very slowly!!!

Regarding MemTest86, you should run ALL tests at least once to make sure you got no errors at all. But, the most accurate and 'heavy' test is TEST#5. But PAY ATTENTION, this test will heat up your RAMS and CPU. I've just noticed that your temps are already VERY HIGH (83C) so be careful. I would advice you to first check that the HSF is sitting properly on your CPU and that the Thermal Paste is still good (or you should clean it and apply a new layer of fresh thermalpaste.

GOOD LUCK.

NoFormz · 30th Nov 2005, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_YongGrand

I just don't know what's these PSU ratings in the comp. It's too confusing, and this P4 is an old one - with 400MHz FSB and 512KB cache. And the temps when starting the comp - 83 degrees celcius!

:wall

It may be the temps. I once had an Asus motherboard and it keeps hanging because of the hot temp. (during the windows installation screen too)

zachig · 1st Dec 2005, 05:07 PM

Yeah, it could be the High Temps. So I think that the first thing that shuold be handled are those High Temps.

crashagn · 1st Dec 2005, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentBotts

Will XP even run on 128 Megs? I'm mostly sure it won't, and possibly the installation is killing itself because there is not enough.
I've never installed XP on anything with less than 512 though, so that’s just speculation.

i installed win xp pro on a intell 633mhz with only 128meg ram.. works fine of you goin and shut down all them extra processes

27th Nov 2005, 10:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
The_YongGrand Hyperactive Join Date: 12 Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere in 甲洞... Posts: 2,880 Reputation: 1187 Rep Power: 19	Problematic IDE controller? Someone dumped a P4 computer to my cousin, and I have to fix it to get it running properly. The problem is, I couldn't even install WinXP or Win98 or whatever it is. In WinXP CD boot install, after loading the loads of stuff, then enter the setup window which I can install WinXP, partition thing, I couldn't continue. It hangs there only. And another one. I tried copying some stuff into the HDD. Still the same. When in the middle of copying from the CDROM to the HDD, it just stops there and the CDROM stops spinning. I have to press the reser button again. Is this the symptom of a faulty IDE controller? I tried changing the cable and the HDD, but it's still the same. Please help. Btw, the comp is P4 2.4GHz, ECS P4VMM2 02/12/2003 (I don't know the version-lah) and a 128 DDR 266 RAM...

27th Nov 2005, 11:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 28,128 Reputation: 4649 Rep Power: 82	Faulty CD? Faulty CD-ROM? RAM? __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

27th Nov 2005, 11:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my ASUS F8V notebook! Posts: 33,150 Reputation: 3730 Rep Power: 78	Yeah, try scanning with Memtest 86. Have you tried switching the hard drive from the Primary IDE controller to the Secondary IDE controller? Also, check your PSU's voltage ratings in the BIOS. See if everything is within parameters? __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

28th Nov 2005, 02:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
SilentBotts Just Started Join Date: 23 Aug 2005 Location: CT, USA Posts: 66 Reputation: 66 Rep Power: 0	Will XP even run on 128 Megs? I'm mostly sure it won't, and possibly the installation is killing itself because there is not enough. I've never installed XP on anything with less than 512 though, so that’s just speculation. __________________ Sheila: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (Venice Core) \| Asus A8N-SLI Premium \| 1024mb Corsair XMS (1 DIMM) \| 2x eVGA Geforce 7800GT COs @ stock (for now) \| Seagate Barracuda 80gb SATA \| Sony DVD-ROM \| Sony Dual Layer DVD-+R/-+RW \| Antec Neo HE550 PSU Video cards are like chicks, and chicks are like Voltron, the more you hook up the better it gets.

27th Nov 2005, 12:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
The_YongGrand Hyperactive Join Date: 12 Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere in 甲洞... Posts: 2,880 Reputation: 1187 Rep Power: 19	Faulty CD = nope. Faulty CD-ROM = nope. THe thing stopped reading and the whole system hangs without any warnings/notices whatsoever. Faulty RAM = let me check...

28th Nov 2005, 10:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
The_YongGrand Hyperactive Join Date: 12 Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere in 甲洞... Posts: 2,880 Reputation: 1187 Rep Power: 19	I'll try using the HDD as a 2nd-ary IDE controller. But will it go through the 2nd-ary without going to primary? I mean, all HDDs are 'programmed' to go thru Primary-IDE controller no matter what. There's tons of tests in Memtest86. Which one does actually detect most common errors? I just don't know what's these PSU ratings in the comp. It's too confusing, and this P4 is an old one - with 400MHz FSB and 512KB cache. And the temps when starting the comp - 83 degrees celcius! :wall

1st Dec 2005, 05:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
zachig Active Join Date: 9 Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere Posts: 782 Reputation: 232 Rep Power: 8	Yeah, it could be the High Temps. So I think that the first thing that shuold be handled are those High Temps.