Windows XP WILL NOT boot up.

[Computer_Commando]

... the motherboard has 6 (six) SATA ports.  The HD is connected to SATA 0, the CD/DVD drive is connected to SATA 1.  So, would 2 and 4 still be the slave ports?  So, do I plug the Hitachi drive into the slave port, and boot the WD as the main, and I should be able to access the files on the Hitachi?...

It really doesn't matter where the "slave drive" (Hitachi) is connected.  You have SATA 0,2,4 (Masters), 1,3,5 (Slaves).  Boot drive prefers to be on the lowest number SATA 0, but usually works on any of them.  Enter BIOS and see if both drives are on Main Page.  Make sure WD is the 1st Bootable Hard Drive in the BIOS on Boot page.
It's usually like this, but you'd have to consult manual or BIOS Main page:
1st Master - SATA 0
2nd Master - SATA 2
3rd Master - SATA 4
1st Slave - SATA 1
2nd Slave - SATA 3
3rd Slave - SATA 5

[durango992007]

I added this question at the end of my post not to long before you replied, but if I were to instal McAfee on to the HD (the new one/Master drive) and I hook up the old one (slave) could I use that to run a virus scan on the slave drive?

[durango992007]

Sorry for double post, but quick update:

Got the old HD in, BIOS recognized it, and Windows is currently performing a CHKDSK on E:, which is, I'm guessing is where the Hitachi (old) is located.

Still wondering if I am able to view all my files, I can just run a virus scan on the E drive and see if anything comes up, correct?

UPDATE:  I am able to view all my files, which is good.  Nothing seems to be missing, which is also good.  So, now my question still remains, since I am not able to connect to the inernet, should I install the reinstallation version of McAfee I recieved with my computer and scan the E Drive??  Also, if any viruses do come up, and I get them taken care off, should I transfer the files from the old drive (Hitachi), or just leave them be?

[dahlarbear]

1.  McAfee Software.  Is this a security suite or just the AntiVirus?  If you'll going to stay with McAfee, go ahead and install it; but the virus "definitions" will not be current.  Personally, I prefer to use other "free" alternatives for home use.

Yes, you may scan the "E:" drive with whatever security software you have.  You should also scan it using some AntiMalware products; e.g. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, SuperAntiSpyware.

Get the internet connection going so you may download, install, and run the quality "free" security software that's available.  This might include AntiVirus, AnitSpyware/AntiMalware, and/or Firewall software.

If you're behind a home router (using Network Address Translation software to hide your Local Area Network addresses), you should be OK long enough to download the needed software and install it (along with the Windows Updates from Microsoft).  Just don't go browsing the entire World Wide Web before you get your security setup.

2.  Motherboard Drivers.  Are you attempting to use a network adapter that is integrated "onboard" the motherboard?  If so, you need to install the driver for it.  For that matter, I think you need to load the "chipset" drivers and all other motherboard drivers for the onboard components.  Install chipset drivers first, reboot, then install the other drivers.  I'm not sure if order is significant.  For what it is worth, here is the order that Dell recommends: Installing Drivers in the Correct Order.

Device Manager should indicate whether you're missing device drivers.  To access:
     a.  Select "Start" menu button
     b.  Right-click "My Computer" - context menu appears
     c.  Select "Properties" - "System Properties" window appears
     d.  Select "Hardware" tab
     e.  Select "Device Manager" button

Look for and report any Exclamation Mark", Blue "i", Red X, or "Other Devices" category.

3.  Online Data Files.  You may store them on which ever drive you wish.  As I've mentioned previously, some people like to separate the operating system from the data (including "My Documents" folder) using different partitions/volumes or drives.  This permits them to blow away the operating system partition and reinstall without affecting the data.

4.  Backup Data.  You should always backup "data" files that you can't afford to lose (but not in the same computer).  This is a "chapter" all by itself and beyond the scope of this thread.

[durango992007]

Yes, the Ethernet port is located on the motherboard.  Does the Intel website have downloadable drivers that I can download, put on a CD, and install onto the computer?  Granted, making sure I get the correct ones, of course.  I think that is the only thing keeping me from accessing the internet because, while the ethernet cable is plugged in, even going into the Network Places, nothing is coming up, unless I'm wrong?

Also, should I be able to download all the other drivers?  It seems as though I can, but will I be able to put them on a CD(s) and install them on the computer?  I don't need the video card drivers, however.

Yes, I will be using a more up-to-date version of McAfee as soon as I have internet connection and am able to access the Comcast website to download, but I will also be using the ones provided on this site.  One thing though, could I possibly use the setups from the old HD and install them onto the new HD without problems?

[dahlarbear]

If it's a brand name computer, e.g. Dell, you should get your motherboard drivers from the Dell support page for your computer (not the Intel website).  You should be able to use a CD or floppy disk to transfer driver files to the target Dell computer.  Not positive, but I think you could also use null modem serial cable and IEEE 1284 parallel cable via Microsoft Windows Direct Connection (should be in Help/Support documentation).  Probably cannot use USB flash drive until motherboard "chipset" drivers are installed.

You cannot use the network adapter port until its driver is installed.  Once you get the network adapter driver installed, you should be able to get internet access.  But it would probably be best to install the "chipset" drivers first.

Yes, you can transfer the "setup/installation files" from the old hard drive to the new hard drive or even execute them at their current location to install to the new hard drive.

[durango992007]

OK, I got the chipset drivers installed, the SATA driver installed (going off of the correct order to install them), the audio drivers (I have audio now), the video drivers still are not installing.  It goes to a black screen with a little flashing underscore like you are typing ( _ ), and also the network drivers.  I am currently using my computer that all this is happening to to send this.

There are only 2 things now in the device manager that have a yellow exclamation point next to them, and those are the Display Adapters - Video Controller (VGA Compatible), and the Other Devices - PCI Simple Communications Controller.

For the Video adapter, should I try using my driver CD from NVidia to install them, or should I try to get those off the NVidia website?

Also, what is the PCI Simple Communications Controller, and is it something important?

UPDATE: I did try the CD using the same file thats on the CD that is also on the other HD, and it still went to that black screen.  IS there a way I can just make a copy of the drivers that are installed on the other HD, and put them on the new HD?

[patio]

2 pages ago it was suggested you re-installl your MBoard drivers...
Have you tried that yet ? ?

[durango992007]

The chipset drivers off the Dell website that dahler... (can't remember your screenname sry) suggested?  If so, then yes I did.  If not, are there other drivers for my motherboard that I need.

Also, one of the updates Windows has for me is SP3.  Should I go ahead and let it update?

EDIT:  One thing I forgot to mention.  When its supposed to be installing the NVidia drivers, it unzips the files no problem, the NVidia logo appears, and it comes to the wizard, then it gets halfway through the first installation procees (I'm guessing) when it is installing the component drivers.

[durango992007]

Sorry for double post, again, but I ran a dxdiag, and the graphics card does not come up.  Could that be because the drivers are not installing, the fact that the PCI Simple Communication Controller still has a Yellow exclamation point next to it, or something else?

Also, when looking on the Drivers & Downloads page on the Dell website for, it has a BIOS update that they say is URGENT, and it was released in December of '07, and I got my computer in August of '07, should I got ahead and download that also?

[Computer_Commando]

1.  If not, are there other drivers for my motherboard that I need.
2.  Also, one of the updates Windows has for me is SP3.  Should I go ahead and let it update?
3.  When its supposed to be installing the NVidia drivers, it unzips the files no problem, the NVidia logo appears, and it comes to the wizard, then it gets halfway through the first installation procees (I'm guessing) when it is installing the component drivers.

1.  Service Tag points to the correct ones.  Can't tell you without the Service Tag.
2.  Yes.
3.  That's how nVidia does it's install.

4.  ...but I ran a dxdiag, and the graphics card does not come up.  Could that be because the drivers are not installing, the fact that the PCI Simple Communication Controller still has a Yellow exclamation point next to it, or something else?
5.  ...when looking on the Drivers & Downloads page on the Dell website for, it has a BIOS update that they say is URGENT, and it was released in December of '07, and I got my computer in August of '07, should I got ahead and download that also?

4.  Yes, one or both.  You must be installing the wrong one.
5.  They also list exactly what it corrects.  See if your BIOS number already matches (i.e. A08, A09, or something like that).

[durango992007]

I let my computer sit on the black screen, and it rebooted when trying to install the NVidia Drivers.  I'm pretty sure they are the right ones, the CD has them for Windows Vista 64, XP 64, and regular XP (which I have).  That's the only thing I have done so far.  I will do the other ones a little later, but that's all I have tried right now.

[dahlarbear]

I'd suggest you get the computer setup and working properly with the approved drivers from Dell support site before trying to customize it.

To do that, you must get the correct drivers for your machine.  Apparently, best way to do that on Dell website is by "Service Tag" number.  Can you provide it?  I'm not sure what to do with "Dell DXP061".

From your previous posts, I assume you have Dell Desktop XPS 410.

[durango992007]

The DXP061 was the model number, DHB0JD1 is the Service Tag.  I have already gone and looked up the serivce tag on the Dell support website, and some of them were new drivers, but the video driver still would not install.

I'm not trying to customize my computer yet.  I understand I need to get ALL the necessary drivers installed first before I go about doing any type of customizing.

[durango992007]

I'm guessing this is not good.  Started up my computer in Safe Mode to see if the video drivers would install there.  They did, but when I went to restart my computer, when it was starting to boot up, same thing happened that started this thread.  It froze on the Windows bootup screen.  Could it be a hardware problem now?  Or is there something else that could be going wrong with my computer?