Hi, im new to forums but ill try my best...

here goes..

the last few days my Pc has been playing up.
when i boot it it displays the motherboard logo, then tries to search for a boot record which it has not done (to my knowledge) before.
i get these messaes as follows:
"Searching for Boot Record from CDROM..Not Found
Searching for Boot Record from IDE-0..Not Found
Searching for Boot Record from IDE-1..Not Found

Boot Failure
Reboot and select proper Boot Device
or insert boot media in selected boot device"

not too sure what has happened here but ive tried everything i know how to do, checked leads, switched HDDs, checked moterboard, changed boot prioritory, reinstalled windows xp, formatted disks, used recovery console on XP disk, checked power supply, etc...

also i can get as far as putting installation files onto hard drive when reinstalling XP and when it goes to restart to install XP it comes up with the message stated above, or restarts the installation process..

my PC isnt super new but this hasnt happened before.

any help will be much apreciated,

Thanks. :) :confused:

Please provide full system specs...

It could something as simple as the CMOS battery needing to be replaced.

Well its not a new PC at all neither custom PC, i dont use it alot so im too familiar with the hardware, from what i can gather i have:
(also im new to the pc forum thing so im not too sure what im supposed to tell you:confused: )

MB: Gigabyte GA-8SIML (no idea of the specs :( )
CPU: intel p4 2.4ghz
RAM: 768mb DDR-400
GFX: Radeon 9550
PSU: 450 watt

also in the BIOS the CMOS battery shows correct voltage, 3v? right?
if thats any help

thank you for the fast reply
much apreciated
Thanks.:)

The rated voltage is correct - assuming the BIOS reads it OK.

This could be a failed mobo or its ROM or it could be something simple. The last time I saw this it just needed a partition to be marked as active. Loose or faulty IDE cables/connections is another possibility. It obviously finds the CDROM when you boot to it so maybe just try swapping the cables to the two devices.

Would also suggest you reset the CMOS - either by a mobo jumper if there is one or by keeping all power to the PC from the mains off and then temporarily remove the battery for 15mins to let all power drain away from the board.

Also double check that the HDD is detected in the BIOS setup (not the text screens that show during startup). If not that problem needs attention such as by resetting the CMOS (as above) or by auto-detecting the HDD's geometry or by just setting the BIOS to the failsafe defaults.

BTW - Is this an IDE or SATA HDD?? (edit) It's IDE from the manual (http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=1335).

I have checked all the leads, swapped them, replaced them etc..
i have also connected only the master hard drive etc...

same thing comes up..

i have tried a know working hard drive in the pc and something completly different happens, it doesnt search for a boot record it skips to the 'safe mode selection screen' (or whatever its called), any selectionn i make results in a system restart and thus causing a never ending loop

hard drive is detected in BIOS setup with correct model number (or the number there was correct anyway)

Thank you very much for your help,
also what would i have to do if it was a failed mobo or its ROM?

Thanks again
Gizza

Failed mobo or ROM really means a replacement though flashing the BIOS could be worth a try as a last resort.

The reboot loop of the imported HDD with an existing operating system could be for a number of reasons but the fact that you get to see a safe mode option implies that the initital boot processes are functional.

I would go back to having just one HDD in the system the test it with its maker's diagnostics and then using the same utility completely zero the drive before trying one more clean installation of windows.

Have you tried clearing the CMOS by removing the battery?

OK what i DIDNT do was install a fresh version of Windows to a new hard drive.... seems obvious... it is installing XP as i expected and hoped and i will update the result when it is done

Thank you very much for your all your help and guidence

Gizza