Hello Everyone,
I sincerely hope that someone has the right diagnosis & especially the solution to my problem. I have researched on the internet for many hours and have found next to little helpful information. I am fixing someone else's eMachine which is no longer under warranty.
I do not believe it ethically right to have to pay a company for a solution to a problem that should not exist. At a minimum, the answer should be easily available in their technical documentation.
I appreciate any time & help that you are able to provide!!
My Scenario:
My friend had a problem they couldn't figure out so they decided to use their "Recovery CD's" to do a complete overwrite of their system. During this process an error would occur preventing its completion. I figured out the 1st CD had a blemish and restored the CD. I also discovered that the HD had a fatal error that could only be corrected by doing an RMA back to the manufacturer. The HD was no longer under warrenty so it wasn't worth it. I bought an exact make/model of the original HD and installed that. The "Recovery" process now works without any problems.
My Problem:
After the "Recovery" process completes the system then reboots so that Windows XP can finish its "1st Run" Setup.
When I specifically get to the point of assigning a computer name the setup process freezes.
Please Note:
1. Skipping this point doesn't work.
2. Accepting the default computer name doesn't work.
3. Creating my own computer name doesn't work.
Also Note:
1. This HD was refurbished by the manufacturer.
2. The HD passed the manufactorer's own utility testing system run from DOS.
3. I did not FDISK or FORMAT the HD prior to running the Recovery CDs.
4. I did not have any attached Ethernet cables, USB devices, or internal PCI devices.
5. I used a PS/2 mouse & keyboard during the setup.
My Research:
I put in many keywords trying to figure out the cause of this situation. The closest probable cause I've determined is that these blasted corporations are creating a very small partition on the HD they send in a machine. This partition is hidden apparently from the normal viewing including possibly FDISK. This hidden partition contains proprietary information that the "Recovery" Process uses to verify it is ok to install. So now I do have a new HD that works but doesn't have the proprietary data to complete the "Recovery" process. To my knowledge I can't access the old HD even though the BIOS does recognize the old HD's existence. Other than paying outragious tech support fees (which doesn't mean a solution either), I just cannot figure out a solution to this problem.
Thanks again for your time & help in this matter!!
My Computer Specs:
Make/Model = eMachine T2895
CPU: Intel® Celeron® 2.80GHz Processor (28KB L2 cache & 400MHz FS)
Operating System: Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
Chipset: Intel® 845GV chipset
Memory: 512MB DDR (PC 2100)
Hard Drive: Maxtor 120GB HDD (5400 RPM, Model Type: 4R120L0
Optical Drive: 48x Max. CD-RW Drive; 16x Max. DVD Drive; 3.5" 1.44MB FDD
Video: Intel® Extreme Graphics 3D
64MB Shared memory
Sound: AC '97 Audio
Network: 10/100Mbps built-in Ethernet
Modem: 56K ITU v.92-ready Fax/Modem
Peripherals: Standard Multimedia Keyboard, 2-Button Wheel Mouse, Standard Stereo Speakers
Ports/Other: 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 on front), 1 Serial, 1 Parallel, 2 PS/2, Audio-In & Out
Dimensions: 7.25"W x 14.125"H x 16"D