XP install went boom

[Bookshelf]

So: My old, dearly beloved XP pro desktop computer needed a reinstall. I have two partitions on my harddrive - one for OS and programs, the other for data.

Now, XP didn't want to format the partition it was already on, so I got the bright idea of formatting and installing a new XP onto the D:/ drive, switch to that one, and then format and install on the C:/ drive before re-formatting the D:/ drive - leaving me with a brand new computer.

In the middle of installing on the D:/ drive, I get a power hiccup - just a momentary lapse in power that barely made my lamp blink, but enough to shut down the computer. As you can imagine, I am now stuck with a computer that has issues starting Windows.

It gets to the Windows OS selection screen just fine (having registered that it has two insallations of Windows), and I can access the boot menu just fine. However, once Windows itself attempts to run, the computer just goes into black, with no noises from the harddisk indicating that it's loading anything.

Here's the snitch, though: The USB ports stop working while under the OS selection screen and the Boot From CD screen, as does the PS/2 ports. Meaning that the computer defaults to the most recently installed, broken XP installation, and I have no current way of having my keyboard register as existing for it.

Double unfortunate is that the desktop itself is a 6 year old backyard build that I literally have no idea of what is in (old classmate built it, and since moved to the other end of the world)...

Can my dearly beloved desktop be salvaged in a way that won't involve a flamethrower?

[Der Cute]

Can you put the XP disk in and run Repair on it?

purchase a 2nd hard drive install there, pull data, use original as backup then?

Use linux based cd for rescuing the change? You'd need to get into the OS and change the boot.ini file.

You could also erase some sections of the os if you needed to.

That's all I can think of.

[Bookshelf]

The XP disc doesn't work - my keyboard doesn't work during that process, either, and I cannot force the computer to boot from the CD without my input (I've tried - no option to do so).

Best option is probably to get a second harddisk, although, as I stated, I'm a bit careful about tossing money after such ones (they are EXPENSIVE here) in case that it's an issue between software and my hardware - no sense in buying a new harddisc if I still can't install anything.

The main issue is that I have no way of entering the OS. There's no immediate DOS of any kind as far as I can see, and all attempts of entering it would mean I'd have to go through the OS selection screen - where my keyboard stops working and won't let me make any selection.

There isn't some easy, "insert paperclip here to reset" function on some harddiscs, are there...?

[Der Cute]

Ok, you said you can't get the thing to boot w/o your input.

Can you start the PC, hear the beep, then start whacking the key to get to bios/setup? it's on the bottom of the screen for a few seconds. F10, F8, possbily F2.
that's how you get to boot from a cd.

bu you were saying if you do boot with the cd, you get to the broken os.
hm.

Do you have a friend nearby who can help you do this?
http://Use linux based cd for rescui...boot.ini file.
otherwise I think you're hoseded.

[Bookshelf]

I might have been a bit poor in explaining (English isn't my first language, so I lack words every so often), and for that, I apologize.

When the computer boots, I am fully capable of entering the BIOS system to change the boot drive order, clock and such. However, it does not have an option for me to force-start the CD's setup; when starting from the CD, I get the usual "Press key to boot from CD" message that lasts for a few seconds.

The USB and PS/2 ports are deactivated during this time.

Then, due to not recieving said input, the computer then proceeds to the Windows XP OS selection screen, and gives me 30 seconds to select which of the two installed versions of Windows I want to run.

USB and PS/2 ports are deactivated during this time.

The computer then attempts to start Windows, goes into a black screen (where the Windows Logo and the little moving process-bar thing would appear), and... nothing happens. There's not even the usual ticks from the CPU that lets me know it's doing anything. Therein lies my problem.

I will have to try the Linux CD, thank you, and pray that the USB/PS2 port issue is due to Windows being peculilar.

[Der Cute]

Hm. I bet you have an old-ish machine you put XP on as the 2nd OS since the machine was built.
Reason I say that is usually BIOSes will let you in and configure, then after getting past end of BIOS they see the usb /ps2 ports.

So if those 2 are not working, you SHOULD get that repair disk if you can find anyone to burn one for you.
The keyboard *should* work for that, and if not, you might do this:
If anyone has a SPARE hard drive, empty - borrow that, install XP on borrowed drive.
Then put old hosed drive as slave/2ndary.

Use the new drive to pull your important data off your hosed drive. Then what to do is get a cd called BOOT NUKE (have friend build it)

Pull new filled working drive from box. OUT.

Put old drive in old spot

Load Bootnuke from CD/Floppy. Nuke that old nasty drive.

once it's verified the old drive is clean, install xp.

XP installed. Put the borrowed drive in the bottom, transfer important data back.

[barcode]

As for your keyboard/mouse problem (which may help with the other)...

Check the motherboard manual (do you know what you have, there? If so, post it...) for the jumper settings over by the keyboard/mouse connectors. I'm betting they're set to "System Power" instead of "+5VSB". This would explain your startup problems.

When set to "+5VSB", there is power going to the keyboard/mouse as long as the computer is plugged in. This feature allows manufacturers (like Compaq) to add a power on/off button to the keyboard, so their lazy-assed customers don't have to lean over and hit that button on the case. To do this, they need to supply the 5 volts to the keyboard for it to function. For it to work with the rest of the system off, you need to supply it from the 5 volt stand by (+5VSB) line on the PSU.

When set to system power, it will power up only when that part of the boot.ini gets to turning on the things listed in the power profile. That is, when the OS boots. Which - and this is the problem - it hasn't done yet if you're trying to get into the BIOS.

So, by setting the jumper(s) to +5VSB, it should enable the keyboard/mouse to work as expected.

NOTE: Before setting the jumper, look at the sticker on the PSU to make sure it can provide at least 1Amp of current to run the keyboard, mouse, and motherboard features. A typical mobo uses about 500mA, a mouse about 100mA, and a keyboard up to 250mA. So, 800mA to 1A should be enough, 2A would be awesome.

As always, UNPLUG the computer when doing this, as there is 5V on those jumper pins!

barcode

[Salesmonkey]

Since your keyboard works during the BIOS access, you probably do not have a hardware issue.

If you have a friend who will let you touch the innards of their computer, maybe you could install your disk in their machine as a slave drive. You could then copy your irreplaceable files to their disk, then repartition and reformat your drive, and copy your files back to the non-system partition. Take your disk home, reinstall in your machine, and put Windows in the system partition.

Even if your system is truly fried from this, at least you may be able to burn your data from your friend's computer to CD.

Good luck.

[Dreamstalker]

As always, UNPLUG the computer when doing this, as there is 5V on those jumper pins

I´ve gotten zorched by 5V before...not lethal, but not fun either.

[roothorick]

I really should read the whole thread before I reply.

Here's the snitch, though: The USB ports stop working while under the OS selection screen and the Boot From CD screen, as does the PS/2 ports. Meaning that the computer defaults to the most recently installed, broken XP installation, and I have no current way of having my keyboard register as existing for it.

And BIOS works?

You have, in fact, tried a PS/2 keyboard, correct? It's very very strange to lose PS/2 keyboard input after BIOS...

Another thing you could try is enabling "USB Legacy Support" (or similar) in the BIOS options, and trying again with a USB keyboard and mouse. That's the whole point of this option; to use USB peripherals with OSes and installers that don't speak USB.

If you just want to boot the installer, you could use a USB drive enclosure to wipe the partition table and MBR -- this will make the Windows install CD skip the "press a key to boot from CD" prompt and go straight to "Let's install Windows!" But I think you're going to run into the same issue, sitting at the welcome screen and not able to get it to do anything.

If you have a friend who will let you touch the innards of their computer, maybe you could install your disk in their machine as a slave drive. You could then copy your irreplaceable files to their disk, then repartition and reformat your drive, and copy your files back to the non-system partition. Take your disk home, reinstall in your machine, and put Windows in the system partition.

You really should use a USB drive enclosure for this, instead of popping open another computer. Much less work, and less risk.