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    Freezes at HP screen, can't boot from CD

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by espy, Dec 1, 2008.

  1. espy

    espy Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm not sure where to put this question.

    I was attempting to dual boot XP with a pre-installed Vista on my new HP dv5t (so I could use Avid Media Composer on XP). I followed a guide, and realized from some threads here and elsewhere that I needed to slipstream SATA drivers into the XP disc for it to work. Once I did that, I installed XP on a partition. When starting up the computer, it always said "error loading operating system."

    I decided to try it again, just in case there was an error during installation, so I formatted the partition using the Windows XP disc and installed Windows XP again. Now, my computer boots up to the HP screen and then freezes. Pressing ESC or any of the f# keys doesn't do anything.

    I reseated my RAM, and it didn't make a difference. I took out the hard drive, and it then booted up to the Windows CD and I could also go into the BIOS, but obviously I can't format or test the drive without it being in the laptop. So it seems to be a problem with the hard drive and partitions.

    I don't have an external enclosure, but my question is this: if I buy an external enclosure, format the drive via my other computer, and put it back in to the laptop, would that work and let me install Vista with the recovery discs I have? Or could it be that I messed up the hard drive already? I'm not sure how I could have done that as I followed this guide (and this guide). If I can fix this, I will definitely forget about dual booting and just stick with what it came with.

    I called HP and they said it would not be covered under warranty to fix this problem, if it was user caused.
     
    espy, Dec 1, 2008
    #1
  2. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    I would certainly try that (drop drive in an enclosure and remove the existing partitions completely, then reinsert and reinstall)
     
    gerryf19, Dec 2, 2008
    #2