Boot failure: System halted

[SavageHoutkop]

if you're getting into BIOS the m/b is probably fine, probably the HDD. Unless you've broken the bit of the motherboard that links the HDD to the rest of the PC that is!

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks all. I'm going to see if I can get my sticky paws on a new cable, and see if that gets me anywhere. (Are they all the same? MB>HD cables? If I pull one out of an old PC, will it fit?)

 

[rh100]

Have a look at the existing disk. There are two common types, IDE/PATA is the older type which has a dual row of pins on the back which is connected to the motherboard with a wide ribbon cable, which itself is almost the width of the drive. The ribbon is normally keyed so it will only fit one way, but not always. IIRC the red stripe of the ribbon will be closest to the power connector, sometimes the ribbon cables are squashed up into a round sleeve but these are unreliable. These drives also have a jumper switch on them which signifies master or slave or cable select - this should not have changed unless you changed it and is not overly important unless another drive or the cdrom drive shares the same cable - the cable can connect two devices - so if you replace the drive make sure it is configured the same - if the bios can see all devices that are connected then windows should be ok with it.

In recent years the new connector type called SATA has become common - this is recognizable as have having a much smaller ribbon cable which does not use pins, instead has a slot in connector sort of like a small flat keyed usb connector which can only go in one way but easily comes loose. Only one drive per cable so no jumper settings to worry about (except the 1.5gb clip which is rarely used).

 

[rh100]

.... Listen out for the Hard drive spinning up to speed when you switch it back on, in case its a power problem...

+1 - if you hear a repetitive distinct click, sounding distinctly different to normal - you may well have a knackered drive, google 'click of death' for a sound clip from you tube or similar.

 

[fossyant]

If it's SATA it will be a narrow connector, 20mm or so wide. ATA are about 50mm wide and thick.

SATA cables have a habit of playing up - mine did, eventually got some good quality ones - no more issues

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks all. Well, first things first, it's definitely the old IDE/PATA style. Second, I can't hear the hard drive whizzing at all, even when I tried plugging in the CD power plug (on the basis that the CD's still working, so it must be getting power). Third, could it be the ribbon cable that's gone, rather than t'other?

 

[rh100]

Could be the ribbon - you could pinch temporarily the ribbon from the cd rom drive - just make sure all ends go in the right way around as i said earlier (make note of the red marker and what side its on). You could just transfer the end from the cd rom to the hard disk and leave the motherboard end where it is - just to check if the bios can see it. obviously power down before moving data connections then restart and check. If this works - dont leave the ribbon on the disk permanantly - as there are two ribbon types that work but the older cheaper ribbons are 40 strand rather than 80 (extra earthing I think) which can slow the data rate I beleive. the 40 strand ones are uncommon now but difficult to spot so best buying a new one if this is the problem.

As for the noise from the disk - some are quite quiet but can normally hear something. However, if you can, rest your hand on the top of the disk and see if you can feel any vibration - if not I'd guess it is duff.

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks again - stuff to try tomorrow! Needless to say if I do get it back up 'n running it'll be virtual ginger beers all round on me!

 

[swee'pea99]

Hmmm. Now I can't get into BIOS. Tried putting the CD ribbon into HD...getting different symptoms now. Power on, message on-screen for a couple of seconds:

RAGE 128 pro 2 GL p/n something or other, switches to

That basic bios-y type screen you get at startup on old machines, with 'Hit <f12> if you want to see a boot menu' at the bottom - but hitting f12 doesn't do anything. Meanwhile, it's counting RAM, with the figure going up by 4 Mb increments over the course of 90 seconds or so, till it reaches its full mighty 768, then a second's pause, then the old

Boot failure: System halted

appears at top of screen.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[twowheelsgood]

You could try resetting the BIOS.

Usually, you unplug the machine, remove the CMOS battery and move a jumper or shorting two pins on the mainboard (see manual) for about 10 seconds.

 

[rh100]

hmmm ok... the rage 128 is just the video bios - this always comes up first and can be ignored.

I sounds like the bios settings may be wrong - it wouldn't normally count through the ram that slowly, did you say you changed the cmos battery? that may have defaulted the settings - and hard to say what they should be set to.

is there no option to enter the bios menu - such as del/delete or f2 - you will need to press this immediately the bios screen comes on - once in you may be able to find a setting for optimal settings or somesuch - but from a distance i couldn't say if this will work right or not.

if the bios has been defaulted, then it may have disabled the hard disk somehow - won't know untill you get in, but if the drive appears lifeless - then it may need the attention of a shop who will have the spares to test it further.

Did you check there are no usb sticks plugged in?

 

[swee'pea99]

Definitely no usb sticks. Can't reach the bios menu. Current clutching at straws gameplan - remove CMOS battery, leave overnight, come back and try in the morning.

Thanks all.

Incidentally, can't see anything in the manual about shorting the motherboard - what should I look for in the index?

 

[rh100]

What make/model is it? A google search may throw up some answers. If it's a generic type PC - is there a make/model on the motherboard?

 

[swee'pea99]

It's a Dell Dimension 4600 (but I do slightly worry that shorting motherboards is way over my head)....http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260510640955&ssPageName=ADME:B:BCA:GB:1123

 

[rh100]

Don't short anything if not confident what to do

From Dell: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4600/en/4600i/sm/syssetup.htm#1139574

Viewing Settings

1. <LI value=1>Turn on (or restart) your computer.
   
2. When the blue DELL™ logo appears, press <F2> immediately.

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again