Hi all,
Here's the succinct series of events:
1) I decide to upgrade my computer, and replace most parts, though not the HDD.
2) This goes well, and the computer runs perfectly for around a month.
3) The computer suddenly starts crashing, and all the indicators suggest the HDD is failing.
4) I buy a new HDD, and use it to replace the old one.
5) I try to install Windows XP from a CD, but it fails to copy from the CD at a later stage of the installation process. I assume the CD has broken.
6) Since I don't have access to a CD writer, I next try to install Windows XP from a USB pen, but the computer fails to load from the USB pen at all - I just get a blinking cursor. I once get it to load, but then it reports being unable to find the EULA.
7) I try to install Linux Mint from a USB pen, but the computer reports an Input/Output error partway through the installation, and suggests a broken installation source or destination.
8) I check the HDD for errors using software that I can run from Linux Mint running straight from the USB, and it passes.
9) I download Linux Mint from another source, write to the USB again, and try to install again, and it still fails.
10) When installing Linux Mint, I now partition the HDD so that Mint (and the swap space) are both destined for the end of the disk. It still fails.
Can anyone help me? I feel like I'm beginning to run out of ideas about what to try. Off the top of my head, I can only think of trying to replace the SATA cable or returning the harddisk, but neither of these seem like obviously sensible options.
Some more details:
I initially upgraded to a Biostar B75MU3b motherbord, Crucial 4GB DDR3 1866Mhz Ballistix RAM, and an Intel G540 processor, keeping my old Geforce 8600GT and Maxtor Diamondmax 6L200P0 HDD. I then replaced the HDD with a Seagate 1TB Barracuda. The only CD drive I have is USB, and read only. The old HDD was plugged in using an IDE-SATA converter.
A variety of other things I've tried along the way:
Buying a new USB pen.
Plugging the HDD into another SATA slot on the motherboard.
Changing the HDD from ACPI to IDE mode.
Trying different USB ports.
Unplugging other USB devices.
I can explain some of the things above - exact pieces of software etc. - in more detail if necessary. Just let me know which things are most in need of clarification.
Thanks!
Alex
*Update*
I tried switching to another SATA cable, but no luck.
I'd forgotten a couple of things that might be important:
(a) When windows failed to install from the CD, it failed on some files, then passed others, then failed some, etc. So that makes me think that the CD was indeed faulty (it's very old).
(b) WindowsXP is apparently not designed to load from USB, so there are a variety of explanations as to why I couldn't get that to work.
Those two point to the thought that I have a series of independent issues here. But the other possibility that I can think of is that either the HDD is broken or else the SATA controller on the motherboard is. I'm not sure how to discriminate between those possibilities without getting hold of a second machine and swapping parts, which I can't do.
Here's the succinct series of events:
1) I decide to upgrade my computer, and replace most parts, though not the HDD.
2) This goes well, and the computer runs perfectly for around a month.
3) The computer suddenly starts crashing, and all the indicators suggest the HDD is failing.
4) I buy a new HDD, and use it to replace the old one.
5) I try to install Windows XP from a CD, but it fails to copy from the CD at a later stage of the installation process. I assume the CD has broken.
6) Since I don't have access to a CD writer, I next try to install Windows XP from a USB pen, but the computer fails to load from the USB pen at all - I just get a blinking cursor. I once get it to load, but then it reports being unable to find the EULA.
7) I try to install Linux Mint from a USB pen, but the computer reports an Input/Output error partway through the installation, and suggests a broken installation source or destination.
8) I check the HDD for errors using software that I can run from Linux Mint running straight from the USB, and it passes.
9) I download Linux Mint from another source, write to the USB again, and try to install again, and it still fails.
10) When installing Linux Mint, I now partition the HDD so that Mint (and the swap space) are both destined for the end of the disk. It still fails.
Can anyone help me? I feel like I'm beginning to run out of ideas about what to try. Off the top of my head, I can only think of trying to replace the SATA cable or returning the harddisk, but neither of these seem like obviously sensible options.
Some more details:
I initially upgraded to a Biostar B75MU3b motherbord, Crucial 4GB DDR3 1866Mhz Ballistix RAM, and an Intel G540 processor, keeping my old Geforce 8600GT and Maxtor Diamondmax 6L200P0 HDD. I then replaced the HDD with a Seagate 1TB Barracuda. The only CD drive I have is USB, and read only. The old HDD was plugged in using an IDE-SATA converter.
A variety of other things I've tried along the way:
Buying a new USB pen.
Plugging the HDD into another SATA slot on the motherboard.
Changing the HDD from ACPI to IDE mode.
Trying different USB ports.
Unplugging other USB devices.
I can explain some of the things above - exact pieces of software etc. - in more detail if necessary. Just let me know which things are most in need of clarification.
Thanks!
Alex
*Update*
I tried switching to another SATA cable, but no luck.
I'd forgotten a couple of things that might be important:
(a) When windows failed to install from the CD, it failed on some files, then passed others, then failed some, etc. So that makes me think that the CD was indeed faulty (it's very old).
(b) WindowsXP is apparently not designed to load from USB, so there are a variety of explanations as to why I couldn't get that to work.
Those two point to the thought that I have a series of independent issues here. But the other possibility that I can think of is that either the HDD is broken or else the SATA controller on the motherboard is. I'm not sure how to discriminate between those possibilities without getting hold of a second machine and swapping parts, which I can't do.