Errors in the IDE controller section of DM

[CEDAR]

Picked up my aunt's P233 last weekend when she said it wouldn't boot into Windows. First look appeared to be a dead hard drive. Picked up another drive, fdisked and formatted and it appeared to install Windows 98SEjust fine. Then I go to Device Manager, see exclamation marks in front of the IDE controllers and there is no CDRom listed there or under My Computer. Rebooting never finds the CDROM. Tested the old drive and it appeared OK so I have put it back in with a format and reinstall of Windows and the same thing happens. This is an AOpen AP5VM (I think ....will have to go downstairs to get exact model number). I'm thinking the IDE controller(s) on the board have gone bad.....or is there something else I'm overlooking.

[Platypus]

There shouldn't be any problems installing a VX motherboard under 98SE, so it may be the controller is having problems, or the IDE data cable may be faulty.

However something definitely worth checking for these symptoms is a Boot Sector virus. I guess you've been transferring from old drive to new, maybe using a boot floppy made on that system. Maybe you're just transferring the virus each time. Scan the system if you can, or try running FDISK /MBR from a known virus free DOS7 floppy disk. This may only work if it is a fairly benign virus, a good virus checker run over the system is best.

Hope this helps.

[CEDAR]

Thanks for the suggestions. After a good night's sleep, it occurred to me that the on-board controller is most likely not the problem. The bios sees the IDE devices and CDROM drivers install just fine for Windows setup. First thing I'm going to check is for a boot sector virus....I think that's the culprit.

[confus-ed]

While you are at it check for CMOS/BIOS type viruses.

Your IDE controller might be in conflict with something else though....but you don't give a full system spec, so its hard to say...

[Ruslan]

Besides mentioned above suggestions, I'd recommend You also to check registry for "noide" keyword. If You found that word - delete it.
You can also delete whole ENUM key in hkey_local_mashine ,and then force Windows to redetect and reinstall all drivers for hardware.

By the way, this problem isn't new - using seach option You could find a lot of suggestions how to fix it.

[confus-ed]

[quote]Originally posted by Ruslan:
<strong>Besides mentioned above suggestions, I'd recommend You also to check registry for "noide" keyword. If You found that word - delete it.
You can also delete whole ENUM key in hkey_local_mashine ,and then force Windows to redetect and reinstall all drivers for hardware.

By the way, this problem isn't new - using seach option You could find a lot of suggestions how to fix it. </strong><hr></blockquote>

But so Slooooooooooooooooooow!

Unfortunatleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!

Especially when you have two lots of symptoms, and as you and I know Ruslan posts can go missing!

[CEDAR]

Found and destroyed Stealth Boot Virus C. All is working now....
and all my boot disks have been checked, repaired or redone on a clean computer.
Thanks for the help.

[DSTech]

[quote]Originally posted by Platypus:
<strong>However something definitely worth checking for these symptoms is a Boot Sector virus. I guess you've been transferring from old drive to new, maybe using a boot floppy made on that system. Maybe you're just transferring the virus each time. Scan the system if you can, or try running FDISK /MBR from a known virus free DOS7 floppy disk. This may only work if it is a fairly benign virus, a good virus checker run over the system is best.

Hope this helps.</strong><hr></blockquote>

WOOT! Good call Platypus!

Glad you got it working CEDAR

[Platypus]

It's nice when it works out.

And thanks to Cedar for letting us know the result, often you post and never know if it helped, or if the person needed more help but gave up.