I could use some help if anyone knows what I can do in this situation.

I'm putting together a new computer. After installing all the hardware I begin to boot the computer for the first time. The following message appears.

SYSTEM HALT
PARTITION FAILURE

(At least I believe thats what it says, it was late ) I don't ever get the Dos prompt, so I can't even begin to FDISK/Format. It's a brand new system.

Win 98se (not installed yet)
P4 1.8
512 PC 133

I'm probably going to head home for lunch to write down the exact error. But if anyone here knows a good forum for tech tips I'd appreciate it. Or if you know how to fix this problem I'd appreciate any help or advice. Thanks.

Jaykkub

 

Website wise try www.expertsexchange.co.uk english I know but it should help.

Also a question, are you using a boot disk, if so from where, ie the MS Win98 original or one generated elsewhere. If you go to www.bootdisk.com they have numerous bootdisk images you can download the correct one and then format the disk using the bootdisk and once you have formatted it, the bootdisk will allow CD-ROM support, it will probably be Drive letter E:, which will then allow you to run setup from there.

Oh, and if you can be bothered, you can copy the WIN98 cab files to the hard drive and the setup file and run setup from there, this means it won't prompt you for the Win98 CD at later dates if you make changes to the config.

Hope that helps

 

Thanks for the advice. I posted on a few other forums too and I was informed to try BootDisk.com also, so hopefully that works out. I'm going to head home during lunch to see what I can get accomplished. Thanks again.

Jaykkub

 

I would try booting to the CD first. With new enough equipment you shouldn't even need a floppy disk.

If all else fails, PM me and I'll mail you a boot disk.

 

The main problem with that is I can't get to the Bios. I don't get that option. I get a splash screen saying Intel P4 (the motherboard) and it gives me that error. Not sure what my options are really at this point...

Jaykkub

 

The most standard way is the "del" key. Try hitting it somewhere before you get the error. It may take a few tries. You also might want to see if you can get the manual for the system board. It should have the command in the book.

 

Ok, I just got back from my lunch break and here is what I found out. The message is as follows...(sorry for the mix up)

NO ACTIVE PARTITION
BOOT FAILURE: SYSTEM HALTED

I tried this with and without a boot disk (Windows Start Up Disk). The jumpers are set correctly on the Hard drive (master) and the CD ROM (master). Any suggestions?

Jaykkub

 

Try resetting the CMOS to see if that helps any.

I'm assuming that the hard drive is new?

If you have another system you can slave that drive and format it.

Double check and triple check the settings on the hard drive (i.e. Jumpers set to master, slave, etc.) Also make sure that pin 1 is matched with the ribbon. (i know, i know...basic but sometimes overlooked).

 

The message is basically telling you that you have a brand new HD with no partitions on it. At least it's seeing it. That means you have your jumpers set right.

You can use whatever computer you are posting from to make a boot disk. Go to a DOS prompt and type "format a: /s". Then copy fdisk.exe and format.com onto the disk. They will be in the win98 folder on the CD. You should then be able to use the disk to create the partition and format the drive.

You will still either need to boot to the CD or get a boot disk with CDROM drivers to continue. The easiest by far would be the bootable CD. If CD boot is turned off you will have to get into setup to do it. I suggest you call tech support for the system board if you can't figure it out. Getting into setup is something you should know how to do anyway.

BTW - If you boot off the CD you must have the partition formated first. Windows needs a formatted partition to even get the install started.

 

You can also use WinNT or Win2K install disks to create a partition and mark it active, and format if you like. Other keys to try (in addition to Del) F1, or any F-key, or Esc, or Esc+F1. Since you have no partition, your CD Drive can't be bootable as you have no drivers loaded. However, if it's a newer BIOS, you can probably set the CD to bootable, but my experience is that they are NOT set to bootable from the factory.

At any rate, you should be able to access the bios without the harddrive formatted. The bios is stored on the motherboard, not on the harddrive. Just keep trying different keys. If you can't get in, the bois my need to be reloaded. that's another problem, tho...