Serious Problem With HP Pavilion ze5000 Boot

[GoldenScimitar]

Hello all, this is my first post.

I received this rather older HP Pavilion ze5000 in hopes to fix it because the laptop would boot fine until one day it would not boot to the operating system or boot to to the XP setup after copying files at all. The friend of mine who gave me this laptop told me that he had added a new Seagate Ultra-ATA 60 GB hard drive because the older one failed, so I knew that this new hard disk was fresh and didn't have any damage after testing it with other systems.

Well, here' the problem. I boot to the WinXP install disk as normal, and after it formats and copies the files, it asks to reboot, and so I do. BIOS acknowledges the presence of the hard drive, but setting the Hard Drive to Auto and rebooting just leaves a blinking white cursor on the top left corner of the screen, as well as setting the hard drive to "IDE Removable" (in which it is), then the words "Operating System not Found" show on the screen. Changing any of the boot priorities in the BIOS to anything other than:

Removable Devices
Hard Disk
CD-ROM
Built-In LAN

...just simply posts the words "Error loading Operating System" on the screen. I have read on the internet that if times like these come to be, then my BIOS may need to be flashed. Well, my PhoenixBIOS version KD.M1.02, has no updates online or any other updates even on the Hewlett Packard website, so I feel I'm SOL.

I think the Hard Disk Controller may be fried or the IDE cable might be corroded, but I still believe the problem can be fixed. But I have no way of checking, because removing the screws on the back of the laptop gives me no accessibility to the inside of the laptop, the motherboard, processor, etcetera. For now, here are the specifications for this Hewlett Packard Pavilion ze5000 notebook PC:

Intel P4 @ 2.00 GHz
Mobo Unknown
PhoenixBIOS KD.M1.02
Seagate 60 GB 16 Sector Ultra-ATA
512 mb RAM

If I could get some help off you all, then that would be great. I see a lot of similar threads over the world wide web, but almost all of the threads about the "Hard Drive" issues are resolved within the threads, but this laptop has been giving me *censored* for a while now, and I'd rather get it fixed without spending a dime on it rather than see it collect dust in the garage.

Thanks and cheers,
GoldenScimitar

[Dusty]

Welcome to the CH forums.

Run the Seagate diagnostics (Seatools) available for free here...  A clean test will at least indicate that your hdd is performing within specs..

Also run Memtest86 from this site to confirm your ram is error free.

Ensure the bios boot sequence is first cdrom, second hdd and that the hdd is set to auto select in bios.

Flashing the bios should be the last option considered.

[GoldenScimitar]

Thanks for the help.  Here's what's going on.

I ran the Seatools Diagnostics, and the Hard Disk "PASSED" the tests that were initiated.  That eliminates any problems with the Seagate hard disk.

I also ran Memtest86, and afterwards, it said "Pass complete, no errors, press Esc to exit".  So that eliminates any problems with the RAM.

I have re-done the Boot List to your specified order, but now, when I start the laptop up, it boots to a blank screen with a flashing white underscore in the top left hand corner. 

Can we take this to the next step?  Thanks, GS.

[GoldenScimitar]

UPDATE:

I finally got the thing to boot properly, after waiting for the underscore to disappear 10 or 15 minutes, it went to the WinXP setup.  Setup completed successfully, but now every time I turn on the laptop, it takes 10 or 15 minutes to go into the Operating System.  Also note that the Hard Drive Light is solid throughout this time.  Any ideas?

[Dusty]

When the system has booted do:

Start>Run and in the dialog box enter SFC /SCANNOW (note the space between sfc and /) and click OK.  Have your XP install disk handy, the system may ask for it.

Upper case is for emphasis only, lower case acceptable..

[GoldenScimitar]

Is your method suppose to fix the 10~15 minute wait until the OS boots up?  Because I did that, and I'm back to waiting 10 minutes for Windows to boot up.  Could you lend me a hand?  Thanks for your help.

Cheers, GS.

[patio]

Size of the drive ? ?
Amount of free space ? ?

Have you defragged recently ?

[GoldenScimitar]

Seagate 60 GB Ultra-ATA, defragged after installation of Windows.  CheckDisk and Seagate Diagnostics show no sign of HDD corruption or problems.  The laptop seems to start up normal for a day or so, and then starts hanging for 10 minutes with a white underscore on the top left hand corner for almost exactly 10 minutes until the log-in screen for Windows shows up.  It's been going back and forth, back and forth, some days it'll start up fine, some days it'll sit there with a blank screen for 10 minutes until Windows comes up.  Also note that during this 10 minute wait the Hard Drive Indication Light is solid.  Is there a definite fix for this?  Thanks a lot for your help. 

Cheers, GS.

[patio]

Any Norton or Symantec products on this machine ? ?

[GoldenScimitar]

Nothing, it's a fresh install.  I think it's fatal, but I'm trying to download a bios flash file for the laptop because DriverDetective says that it is "bad", but for some reason I can't find any PhoenixBIOS files for free anywhere!  If you could give me some information about this, that would be greatly appreciated.  Cheers, GS.

[patio]

1) DO NOT flash a BIOS for a hardware/software issue...

2) DO NOT trust anything Driver Detective tells you to do.

You could wind up with an expensive doorstop as a result...

[GoldenScimitar]

Umm...could you point me towards the right direction in fixing this bogus 10-minute boot up issue?  I really need this squared away, and I appreciate all of your help.  Cheers, GS.

[GoldenScimitar]

Gurus, please take a look at this, and please give me some help to fix this 10-minute boot problem.

Here is a boot log for a typical 10-minute hang Windows boot:

 Service Pack 210  6 2008 19:19:58.500
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\system32\hal.dll
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\system32\KDCOM.DLL
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\system32\BOOTVID.dll
Loaded driver ACPI.sys
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\WMILIB.SYS
Loaded driver pci.sys
Loaded driver isapnp.sys
Loaded driver ohci1394.sys
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\1394BUS.SYS
Loaded driver compbatt.sys
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\BATTC.SYS
Loaded driver aliide.sys
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\PCIIDEX.SYS
Loaded driver pcmcia.sys
Loaded driver MountMgr.sys
Loaded driver ftdisk.sys
Loaded driver ACPIEC.sys
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\OPRGHDLR.SYS
Loaded driver PartMgr.sys
Loaded driver VolSnap.sys
Loaded driver atapi.sys
Loaded driver disk.sys
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\CLASSPNP.SYS
Loaded driver fltmgr.sys
Loaded driver sr.sys
Loaded driver KSecDD.sys
Loaded driver Ntfs.sys
Loaded driver NDIS.sys
Loaded driver srescan.sys
Loaded driver Mup.sys
Loaded driver alim1541.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\nic1394.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\intelppm.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\ati2mtag.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\usbohci.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\ac97ali.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\i8042prt.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\kbdclass.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\mouclass.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\fdc.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\parport.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\alifir.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\irenum.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Imapi.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\cdrom.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\redbook.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\FA312nd5.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\CmBatt.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\audstub.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\rasirda.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\rasl2tp.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ndistapi.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ndiswan.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\raspppoe.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\raspptp.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\msgpc.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\psched.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ptilink.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\raspti.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\termdd.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\swenum.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\update.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\mssmbios.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\NDProxy.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\NDProxy.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\NDProxy.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\usbhub.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\flpydisk.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\lbrtfdc.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Sfloppy.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\i2omgmt.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\klif.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Changer.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Cdaudio.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Fs_Rec.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Null.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Beep.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\drivers\vga.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\mnmdd.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\RDPCDD.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Msfs.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Npfs.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\rasacd.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ipsec.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\tcpip.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\netbt.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\drivers\afd.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\netbios.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\processr.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\PCIDump.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\rdbss.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\mrxsmb.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Fips.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ipnat.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\wanarp.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\avgmfx86.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\arp1394.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\avgldx86.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\USBSTOR.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Cdfs.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Fastfat.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\irda.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ndisuio.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\rdbss.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\mrxsmb.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\wdmaud.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\sysaudio.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\splitter.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\aec.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\swmidi.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\DMusic.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\kmixer.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\drmkaud.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\mrxdav.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\ParVdm.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Serial.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\avgtdix.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\secdrv.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\srv.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ipnat.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\HTTP.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\kmixer.sys

[patio]

Have you tried re-installing the MBoard drivers ? ?
Chipset drivers go FIRST...

[GoldenScimitar]

This is an old Hewlett Packard laptop, there aren't any motherboard drivers out there, because HP is too selfish not to give me anything except for some software updates on their Driver Downloads section of their site.  Device manager shows everything working fine, so I think everything is up to date.  Cheers, GS.