Simviation Forums

Ol' "Build 1" seems to have freaked out, won't boot in any mode. Tried the CMOS jumper, even pulling the battery, etc... but no joy. Last time this happened I was a able to boot from the XP disc and do a repair install, but it's not working this time. I'm wondering if it's because I've been using an external drive that connects via USB...? I can try pulling the CD drive from Build 2, but trying to get more info first.
No floppy drive in this machine either, never did make a recovery floppy, so that's not an option. Any thoughts?

Have you changed the device in the BIOS so the first boot device is the USB one?

Have you changed the device in the BIOS so the first boot device is the USB one?

:-/
Um... selected "CD", but maybe that's causing it to look in the wrong place. I'll dig deeper, thanks.

I hadn't seen "USB CDROM" before, but alas, even that will not work. After loading a boatload of drivers, etc. the install program finally realizes there's a registry error and grinds to a halt. Can't boot in safe mode, can't run recovery console, can't do anything with it. Boat-anchor city.
I may be able to connect each HDD in turn to the other PC and at least try to pull off the few things I want to save. Damn good thing I recently put most of the photos and captured video onto CDs... also a good thing I have a second machine, or I wouldn't be able to whine about this on the Internet.

F-8 after system boot

LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION

if that dont do it.. and you cant get into safe mode,, you got big time corruption..

[quote]
F-8 after system boot

LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION

if that dont do it.. and you cant get into safe mode,, you got big time corruption..

Here's a chance to show how little I know

You CAN boot from USB on most modern computers. Of course the ZX-81 has issues

You CAN boot from USB on most modern computers. Of course the ZX-81 has issues

LOL.. I'll take your word for it. I was just thinking.. that of all the computers I've built, the USB needed driver installation  AFTER Windows was installed.. kinda like onboard Ethernet or onboard Sound.

Told ya I don't know much  :D

There is a rather handy bit of freeware (I think from HP but I'll have to check when I get home) that allows you to turn a USB stick into a boot device 8-)

Have a look here:
http://www.bootdisk.com/pendrive.htm

Has the links to the hp software and other ways to setup the boot from a usb drive.