Windows Xp won't load - missing file (and won't recognise XP disc)
 

A friends PC has stopped loading windows with the missing file error :(

I have been appointed IT engineer (again) - I need one of them T shirts that states I WILL NOT HELP you fix your PC again !!

It has 3 CD/DVD drive and one HDD - that I set up ..... and it all worked fine before... and I've reinstalled XP on it in the past.. :Suspiciou perhaps the Gremlins have been playing around :confused:

I am trying to load the XP disc and use the repair centre....... but for the life of me it will NOT recognise the CD.....
I've changed the boot sequence....
I've reset the Bios (pulled the battery and reset with the pins)

I've disconnected the HDD and it will then recognise the XP disc :luxhello:

My next attempts are going to be around how the drives are set... i.e. Master/slave/cable select........which I think is gonna have something to do with it.....

I'll just conenct one CD/dvd drive and the HDD and see what happens, while playing with the pins on the back of each drive...

Do you think that is a sensible approach ?

I've not butchered a PC for a while, so here goes !

Cheers

Phil

yep -- sound like the CD is set to use the same "resourses" as the HDD

i would have thought it was a master slave issue

does the motherboard have dual IDE channels?

Yes, it does have duel IDE channels...

The HHD and 1 CD is on the primary and 2 x Cd on Secondary.....

Phil :thumb:

WELL............. I tried every conceivable combination of Channel 1 / Channel 2 - Primary/secondary - Master/Slave/CS and no pin....

NOWT... Absolutley NOWT

I could get it to recognise the XP disc in the CD drive if I disconnected the HDD.... but other than that.... NOWT

Did I say NOWT....

I handed it back and suggested a pro should take on the challenge from here as apparently they haven't backed up their precious PICS for a few years :cuckoo:

:sleep:
Phil

Did you unplug it from the wall for over 1 minute before restarting! :D I'm assuming your using a copied windows disk??? Have you tried an original disk??

I'm sure I have had a similar problem? and the pc would only boot if the windows disk was in the drive?

Why not just pull the drive and copy any relavent info to another pc and then replace and format ??? I'm sure it would save loads and loads of time :D

Yup, I disconnected and reset Bios......

Disk is the original XP disk...........

Yes, that is the way to go, but I don't have a spare caddy for it......

I was glad to be shot of it tbh..... I need to get me one of them tshirts that reads I will not fix your PC.... nor can't LOL

Thanks

Phil

Get them to buy another HDD and do a fresh install on that then install the old hdd as a slave to recover pics etc

Lol :)

I just tell people I look after servers that are the size of their house and it is totally different to their pc inside :)

Windows? What is Windows ;)