Hi guys, I have just taken stock of an Intel Pentium Desk top pc that won't boot correctly. when I first turn on the computer I get the screen option to enter the bios setup utility, if left for a few seconds it attempts to boot, but after displaying verifying pool data I get the following on screen: Safe Mode Safe Mode with Netowrking Safe Mode with Command Prompt Last Known working configuaration Start Windows Normally After selecting any of these options the pc just dies and then re attempts to boot again and again and again. I just don't have a clue on how to rectify this problem. The Bios utility is Phoenix-Award Bios V6.00PG. The Main Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.8GHZ (200x14.0, 2 CPUs) Installed Memory: 512M OK CPU Brand name: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz EM64T CPU IDE Channel 0 Master: None IDE Channel 0 Slave: None IDE Channel 1 Master:None IDE Channel 1 Slave: None IDE Channel 2 Master: WDC WD1600JS-00MHB1 10.02E01 IDE Channel 2 Slave: None CMOS Checksum error - Defaults Loaded 12/28/2005-Lakeport-6A79HFKAC-00 The Make and model of this pc is unknown as the labels on the rear have been removed. All I know is that there is a Foxconn Motherboard inside is a series- socket 775 model # 945G7MA-8KS2H and the HDD is a Western Digital WD1600 Serial ATA, I hope any of this helps???????

"...After selecting any of these options the pc just dies and then re attempts to boot again and again and again...." ... if you do "NOT" select one of these options will the pc stay "on"? ... can you enter the "bios"?... are the dates scrambled? ... when was the last time the cmos battery was changed? ... do you get a "beep" as it attempts to start? Grrrr "...pentathol makes you sing like a canary" http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/... ... got brain freeze

EM64T CPU IDE Channel 0 Master: None IDE Channel 0 Slave: None IDE Channel 1 Master:None IDE Channel 1 Slave: None IDE Channel 2 Master: WDC WD1600JS-00MHB1 10.02E01 IDE Channel 2 Slave: None From the looks of the above I am guessing you are trying to run the OS already installed. I see no cd rom or an A: drive. And you boot disk is on channel 2 ???? Next time go into setup. In the bios you should have a boot order option. Is the wdc wdc...... listed? If the computer has a A: drive and a CD rom I would also make sure they are installed. The previous owner may have turned them off. The option is in the bios. A good boot order is A: D: C: or D:A:C: I have a feeling the systems configuration was changed before it changed hands. When you opened the case does it look like another hard drive was installed and removed before you got it? You know, a clean install (if the hard drive is good) will fix all this. Or you could try inserting a xp cd and doing a repair. Hope this is of some help.

Thanks for your assistance with this matter I'll try checking the order A:C:D: D:A:C: etc as you've suggested. I have noticed that the ribbon cable has been completely removed from the cd/dvd drive. There doesn't appear to have been any additional HDD's added