Basically, was doing a few things, machine locked up so I used the reset button.
Machine starts to boot but give a "disk read error occurred".
I boot from the XP (Pro, SP2) disk and select to goto the recovery console. After a while it gives me the option 1 = C:\Windows. I select 1 and press enter but give up on this after 15 minutes or so because it never gets to the recovery console.
Firstly, how long can this process take and will it always succeed? What if the Windows install is too bad, can you run recovery console purely off the disc without any reference to an existing windows install?
Okay, try the boot disc again and select for a Windows installation (to try a repair install). This time it (currently) is hanging at the "Seaching for previous version of windows" screen before even getting to the repair or new installation option. Can this step take a long time? I have 2 500GB drives in there so I assume it's using a basic file system to search through everything?
Is there a change it could have just failed at this stage and not be doing anything? (the ide light is active so I assume it is reading something)
How long do I leave it at this step before assuming it's failed? What are my options then, install a clean, unformated HD and try a new install I guess...?
Any help, advice appreciated...
Machine starts to boot but give a "disk read error occurred".
I boot from the XP (Pro, SP2) disk and select to goto the recovery console. After a while it gives me the option 1 = C:\Windows. I select 1 and press enter but give up on this after 15 minutes or so because it never gets to the recovery console.
Firstly, how long can this process take and will it always succeed? What if the Windows install is too bad, can you run recovery console purely off the disc without any reference to an existing windows install?
Okay, try the boot disc again and select for a Windows installation (to try a repair install). This time it (currently) is hanging at the "Seaching for previous version of windows" screen before even getting to the repair or new installation option. Can this step take a long time? I have 2 500GB drives in there so I assume it's using a basic file system to search through everything?
Is there a change it could have just failed at this stage and not be doing anything? (the ide light is active so I assume it is reading something)
How long do I leave it at this step before assuming it's failed? What are my options then, install a clean, unformated HD and try a new install I guess...?
Any help, advice appreciated...