Problem booting new computer

B

Boxed

Member
Well I just got my new rig from PCS and unpacked only to find I'd forgotten to add any optical drive to my order. Yeah, I'm an idiot. Anyway, I have a couple of spare computers around so I just took a drive out of one and hooked it up in my new PCS computer.

The computer recognizes it to a point, I can eject and insert a disc and the 'read' LED is flashing on my DVD drive if that counts for anything, but when I attempt to boot my windows XP install disc the computer seems to completely ignore it! Instead it seems to start running windows 7 system recovery console, and gives me a few options, none of which work (note: I did not ask for any OS with this order).


+I've tried changing the boot order in the BIOS
+I even tried booting with the HD unplugged, it still ignored the disc.
+I've tried installing Fedora and various other OS's so the disc isn't at fault.
+I've tried two different CD/DVD drives, I'm confident I have them properly plugged in.
+Both discs + drives work in my other computers perfectly.


I bet I'm doing something really stupid. Please help PCS :(


If you need any additional information/ specs, let me know. I'll edit this post if I successfully resolve it on my own.
 
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B

Boxed

Member
Thanks for the reply, Vanthus.

I entered SATA configuration and the options were: AHCI, RAID & IDE. No 'ATA'. I attempted booting with each option with no real success. It still ends up with 'Windows recovery'. If you have any other suggestions, I'd really appreciate it.
 
B

Boxed

Member
If you've never been able to boot from a CD or DVD with this computer consider checking to verify that the drive is the fist drive on the cable.
Click to expand...

Attempted that ^. Still no help.
 
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B

Boxed

Member
SATA configuration ACHI starts a process that appears to be trying and failing to boot. Sorry for poor explanations, I'm not exactly experienced.

DHCP.../
Realtek PCI family controler[...]
PXE-E35 - no boot file name received.
Reboot and select proper boot device
Or insert boot device and press any key.
Click to expand...


Doesn't work unfortunately. Suggestions pleeeease!
 
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vanthus

vanthus

Member Resting in Peace
Insert windows os disk,restart & tap f8 key.
This will bring up boot menu,choose optical drive as boot source,then press any key to boot from the windows disc.
I still think you may have to set to ATA(IDE) in bios.
 
B

Boxed

Member
Thanks for sticking around.

I selected ACHI in the BIOS, I then inserted the windows os disk. Restarted, tapped F8 and selected my LG-CD rom drive (only option available). It simply says "Reboot and select proper boot device."

I tried repeating the process but with IDE selected and it takes me back to the windows recovery thing, though tapping f8 gave me the option to boot from my HD or my Optical drive. I'm certain the drive/ disk is not the problem, but it's frustrating. So close, yet so far. Ugh.

I really appreciate your effort.
 
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vanthus

vanthus

Member Resting in Peace
Is your optical drive sata or IDE,If IDE, you may have to change jumper settings to Master or Cable Select.
 
vanthus

vanthus

Member Resting in Peace
It's just like a small 2 pin plug on the back of the drive,best use small or long nosed pliers to extract & insert.
 
B

Boxed

Member
I can see a 2 pin socket on the back of the drive. There doesn't seem to be a 2 pin plug to insert into it.

Reading up on IDE devices and then I'll tinker some more.
 
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B

Boxed

Member
The optical drive: HP DVD-Rom "GDR-8164B"

I checked in the BIOS and the MASTER IDE is the correct optical drive, with no slave. The HDD is sata 6.

I understand if you've had enough of my being a noob :p thanks for all your help
 
vanthus

vanthus

Member Resting in Peace
Not at all boxed.
To be honest I think you would be better getting a new sata optical drive,as we may be flogging a dead horse.
Only cost about £20.
 
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B

Boxed

Member
vanthus said:
Not at all boxed.
To be honest I think you would be better getting a new sata optical drive,as we may be flogging a dead horse.
Only cost about £20.
Click to expand...


Exactly what I was thinking. The horse is pulp at this stage. Thanks again.
 
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