I recently reformatted my PC so I could sell it. I was informed by a friend that I hadn't installed the drivers yet. It sounded like an easy task, so I stopped by the manufacturer's site and downloaded a whole list of drivers they had posted for my computer model.
Unfortunately, after installing the drivers and restarting my computer, I can no longer get it actually running. It reports an error and then restarts again.
I tried entering in safe mode. Same thing happens.
I am trying to boot from a CD and just reformat it again, but I even get an error message after I get to the 'Partitions' section of the installation. As seen in this image here –> http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/TheAlmightyKat/Picture3.png
Any solution would be great. I don't have any information on the computer that I need to save, I just need the computer running so I can sell it.
It currently has Windows XP professional installed. (also what I am trying to reformat with)
It's an HP m7360y
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2 responses so far ↓
1 Hash // May 24, 2009
Remove the hard drive and have a friend format it using their PC.
2 bilou5404 // May 24, 2009
Weird. You fixed a computer that worked. Now it doesn't work at all. Mmmmm. Here goes:
Did you make any mechanical changes inside the PC? Like changing RAM sticks, vid card, or drives?
The reason I ask is that you say you can't boot from the install CD. So the problem has nothing whatsoever to do with the OS.
It can only be Firmware, BIOS, or mechanical changes or some horrible combination of all of them ( I hope not, those are the hardest to find)
Try the following:
1.Reset the BIOS to defaults
Disconnect everything from the computer you don't need. Unplug an printer, external USB stuff, game stuff, camera cards, EVERYTHING!
Follow the instructions to reset the BIOS here:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07173&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=hk&lang=en&rule=13845&product=1130813
Now try to boot on the CD.
That might just fix it. if so then you are lucky person
2.If that didn't work then disconnect the hard disk inside (pull out carefully both plugs, power and data. Try to boot on the CD now.
If neither work then I am beginning to wonder if you didn't try and update the BIOS and maybe it went wrong. or it could be something silly like a badly scratched Install CD (You did look at that i hope?).
There is only one BIOS update for the board, that is sp35100.exe. Dis you install that update?? Do you have a list of the updates you installed (always best to make a log as you do it in case something goes wrong.) Did you update the CD-ROM firmware? You have to pick the correct one from the list here:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=228&lc=en&dlc=en&lang=en&product=1130813
3.Plug the hard disc back in.While you are inside the case carefully remove and put back the RAM sticks. Clean the contacts with rubbing alcohol especially if they appear to be corroded. Do not hurry, a broken stick or connector may be at best a pain, at worst irreparable.
Then try to boot from the install CD again.
If that fails, then:
4.Try the entire sequence given here for troubleshooting. Look at the board or computer manual if there is anything that is not clear. It is well written though a bit general.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07173&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=hk&lang=en&rule=13845&product=1130813
If it is still not fixed then come back and ask another question. Give the make and model, OS, any spec details you learned since like the board RAM HD details. List of all updates and changes you made.
If you are in a hurry then weigh up the cost of getting a tech to look at it. Sometimes silly things are so obvious when you look inside the case but are difficult to imagine if you are just staring at a screen.
Good luck, and tell us what happens, please.
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