PC build help needed

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 5, 2006, 1:30 pm

I have been going all over trying to see what I have missed in this comp build, and it is driving me nuts. If I didn't shave my head, I think I would have pulled out about 3/4 of my hair by now.

The basics of the problem would be that my CD-ROM is not being recognized. When it is connected, the system hangs at "detecting array" even with Raid disabled. At first I thought the issue may have been the two IDE drives I was trying to move from my other comp, so I went out and got a new SATA one. Still having the same issues with only that drive connected. Not recognizing the CD-ROM which means I am unable to install Windows fresh on that HD. I even changed which dongle the CD-ROM was connected to from the Power Supply. No change. I reset the CMOS. No change.

I tried creating a boot disk, and that did not help. I have run a memtest and the memory is fine. All lights on the mobo indicating that it is fine are on (Abit K8N-SLI). I have tried changing which IDE slot the HD's were on and the CD-ROM. The closest I have come to anything working though (Boot choice screen, i.e. Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, etc.) was without the CD-ROM installed. I think that one of the old HD's may be corrupted though, so I even tried without that drive. The problem is that drive had the OS installed....so I need the CD-ROM. Trying not to pull more hair right now.

Components (will update from home when I have access to the comp again):
Raidmax Smilodon case with 500W Power Supply
ABit K8N-SLI mobo
AMD 64 3800+
2 Gig DDR 400 Ram (2x1g)
3D Fuzion GeForce 7600 GT PCI-e
New drive - WD 160g SATA drive
Old drives - WD 80g and 160g IDE drives (think those are correct)
3.5" drive
Will have to check on which cd-rom it is when I get home.

Recap of steps taken (off the top of my head)

Memory - Reseated, tested, removed one stick at a time - No changes

CD-ROM - Removed and system booted to safe-mode screen and then cycled through rebooting continuously. Changed it from IDE1 to IDE2 - No Changes. Changed power dongle - No changes. When connected, goes to "Detecting Array" screen and hangs. Also causes delay in system searching for IDE devices, but the search does end with it locating the HD's.

Video Card - working fine

HD - All drives are recognized through the BIOS detections and on booting the system up. Long hang-ups when CD-ROM is connected as mentioned above. Have removed slave drive, reset jumpers, using IDE1 and IDE2 slots on the mobo. Replaced IDE drives with a SATA drive. All with no changes.

Processor - working fine.

All-in-all, the only thing I have seen results with is the CD-ROM. Removing it seems to get everything working a little better, but I need it installed in order to do a fresh Windows install. I have tried creating a boot-disk on my second comp, but that was not being recognized (going to locate another disk to see if the old one was just screwed up). I have made sure to check BIOS settings after all changes (including CMOS resets).

Any ideas on where to look next?

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 5, 2006, 1:43 pm

How old is the CD-ROM drive?

Does the CD-ROM work in another system? (possibly defective?)

What is your CD-ROM set to? Master/Slave/Auto?

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 5, 2006, 1:52 pm

The CD-ROM worked fine in the system I removed, and it is not TOO old (2 years max). I plan on throwing it into the other system to check it tonight. I believe it was a Sony CD-RW/DVD drive, but I cannot locate the info from work. I have been trying to find the spare vanilla CD-ROM I keep handy (obviously not handy enough) for reasons like this, but I can't figure out what "logical" place I put it last time.

It is set to Master, and it is on it's own IDE cable. I have tried it in both the IDE1 and IDE2 slots on the mobo. I don't think I have tried setting it as a slave since it was on it's own cable. If I am able to do that tonight, would it need to be attached to the slave portion of the IDE cable instead of Master as well? That seems odd, but it could be the simple thing I think I am missing.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 5, 2006, 2:00 pm

Have you messed around in your BIOS screen to see what the boot order is for SATA/IDE and also just to make sure it all looks normal? Sometimes things need to be adjusted in there.

The problem with PCs is that every motherboard has their quirks like this so the next place you should look is Abit's message board (if you haven't already) under your exact motherboard's forum to look for possible issues.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head to try.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 5, 2006, 2:15 pm

Yeah, I have changed boot order to include/exclude each drive individually. None of those changes did anything different. I have been checking the ABit forums, and I have seen little that applied to my situation. I may create an account later to post there as well, but I didn't want to register for it from work. That's why I came here first!

One reference on those boards I saw was to a DVD-RW drive not being recognized, but a vanilla CD-ROM was. That's one reason I have been looking for mine. If all-else fails I can just go pick up a cheap one, but I would rather not add to my hardware stockpile if I don't have to.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 5, 2006, 5:10 pm

CD-ROM was set as Master. I switched that to slave and it did not get stuck as usual. I think that might be heading in the right direction. It is still not recognizing it though. I will try replacing the SATA with the IDE drives next to see if I really am heading in the right direction. Thanks.

Leonaerd · Post by **Leonaerd** » September 5, 2006, 5:14 pm

I always like to set the rom drive as slave. Are you sure it's plugged in nicely? I thought I had a hard drive malfunction one time and went through great lengths of hair pulling (and I'm not bald oh noz) before I realized that the cord had simply fallen out. Avoid purchasing another drive until you've tested it in another computer and know for sure it's faulty.

Then, sell it on Ebay to some poor dude who doesn't know any better!

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 5, 2006, 5:20 pm

Ok, have all three hooked up again (IDE drives + CD-ROM drive). I am getting past the "Detecting Array" which I was stuck at before. Now I am getting to the screen to choose Safe Mode/Start Windows Normally/etc. No matter which choice I make, it flashes what appears to be an error screen and reboots. I have tried to read what the screen that flashes up for less than a second says, but no luck. I am guessing it is a problem with the old HD, but I am not able to put it back into the old case/mobo to check it (long story).

but it does feel like a step forward!

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 5, 2006, 6:12 pm

Ok, I need to get the CD-ROM working with no access to Windows currently.

Booting from the old OS drive first = Safe Mode/Start Windows Normally/etc. + reboot loop

Booting from either the new SATA drive or the secondary drive I had in the old computer = OS not found.

The good news is that I remember seeing some other people with the reboot loop mentioned on the ABit forums. The bad news is that I don't think it had anything to do with an inability to access the CD-ROM drive.

I was able to find a better 3.5" disk to make a working boot disk over my lunch break, so I might be able to get this taken care of tonight. might...

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 5, 2006, 9:22 pm

Found my older CD-RW drive, and it was recognized right away. I may try to replace it later on. I have a funny feeling that I might have left a disk in the old drive when I took it out of the old case. I can't find a damn paperclip to eject the tray though.

Anyhow, I am doing a "repair" of XP now. Hopefully I can get it all up and running tonight.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 6, 2006, 11:42 am

I ended up doing a fresh install of XP Pro last night, and everything is working great...except it still won't see my DVD drive which is making reinstalling some of my things more difficult. I needed to upgrade it anyhow, so another trip to the store may be in order this weekend.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 6, 2006, 1:16 pm

Unless it's a nice DVD Drive, you can get really nice ones for 40.00 these days. Get a Pioneer DVR-111. It's the DVD burner of choice for heavy users.

$31.82 at Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827129001

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 6, 2006, 1:42 pm

I was thinking about getting another of the drives I have on my second comps now. I think it's this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827140014

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 6, 2006, 1:55 pm

Boogahz wrote:I was thinking about getting another of the drives I have on my second comps now. I think it's this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827140014

Do you like the lightscribe? I prefer using the Epson r200 and printing nice color labels directly onto the CD (printable DVD/CDs which don't cost more than normal DVD/CDs). (if I'm not just using a Sharpie pen to scribble a title)

http://www.amazon.com/Epson-Stylus-R200 ... 28?ie=UTF8

I know for compatibility with various media, the Pioneer is highly regarded. I love my older 109 model.

I checked out the lightscribe but it seemed slow and black and white.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 6, 2006, 2:20 pm

I have not really needed color labels for anything I have been using Lightscribe for. I will look into the drive that will print straight onto the disks though. I might just pick up a cheap dvd-rom to use for installs/movies until I pick up something else. I actually think I have one sitting around somewhere now that I think about it.

*edit* just noticed you were referring to the printer itself! That reminds me that I need to check out the one an ex gave me not too long ago. It's sitting in my closet now, and I have no clue what it's capable of.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 6, 2006, 2:42 pm

Boogahz wrote: *edit* just noticed you were referring to the printer itself! That reminds me that I need to check out the one an ex gave me not too long ago. It's sitting in my closet now, and I have no clue what it's capable of.

Epson has a patent on its direct DVD/CD printing method so you won't see any U.S. released printers besides Epson with it. Canon has one but it's only sold overseas. I don't print many color labels but the Epson 200 is capable of professional labels and it's extremely hassle free compared to stickers, etc. Ink cartridges are expensive though.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 6, 2006, 3:40 pm

Yeah, I wasn't implying that the printer might be capable, just that I forgot I had it. I rarely need to print anything at home as it is. I am happy with Lightscribe for now. It doesn't take too long for me, even though it might be slower than your printer. Also, most of the labels I need do not need to be in color.