cpu not recognizing hard drive?

[jeffv0802]

yesterday I used a program called KILLDISK to erase my hard drive (which I have done 2 times before) The program writes the hard drive over with zeros as I understand. After it was done put my XP disk in and went to reload XP. The system loads all the drivers for about 30 seconds and then at the bottom of the screen it says "starting windows". I hear the cd rom speed up, and then the whole computer just shuts off completely?
What is going on and how do I fix it. I looked in the CMOS and everything looks normal. I dont really know that much about BIOS. I looked there and I cant do anything in it. There is a message saying "the number of disks is not adequate to create a RAID". I know that has something to do with the hard drive. Is this the problem? How do I fix it?
I am not really a computer tech, but I am trying to learn. Any instructions you can give would be appreciated, but please say them in english so that someone who is computer illiterate like myself can understand.-lol
thanks
jeff

[patio]

Sure.

Just tell us what type of HDD this is and what the complete error message is.

[jeffv0802]

i am not sure what kind of hard drive i have but does this help?
LBA,ATA 100, 160 GB
That is what I am seeing on my screen by the hard drive before I put the windows disk in

[jeffv0802]

there really is no error message--
when the computer says "starting windows"---The whole machine literally just shuts off like there was a power outage or something

[patio]

What happened prior to this that led you to run Killdisk on that system ? ?

Too much info is nothing to be afraid of.

[dl65]

jeffv0802....... You made mention of "Raid" .......... Is this really the case or did you perhaps click on something wrong ?

Are you able to enter bios ?

dl65  

[jeffv0802]

Honestly--there was nothing wrong with the hard drive.  I jsut wanted to wipe it clean and start over because I had a bunch of programs cluttering it up and when I went to erase them it would give some message like-- erasing this program may affect other programs-- or something like that so I just wanted to start over ----

I have done it 2-3 times in the past with no problems

[jeffv0802]

I did not enter the bios until the hard drive was erased so I did not click on anything.  After the computer was erased I pressed tab because I noticed that it said it on the screen.  It took me into the BIOS, but I could not do anything in it.  (not that I know what to do anyway--I dont even know what BIOS means)  That is where I saw the message  "the number of disks is not adequate to create a RAID"

[dl65]

jeffv0802.....  When in the bios ....can you click on restore defaults ?

dl65  

[jeffv0802]

I can not do anything in the bios except hit escape and come out of it.  It is wierd too -- because on the side of the screen is instructions like + or - to change stuff and other things, but when I hit those keys nothing happens.  I dont see an option to restore defaults.
there is also what seems like a list at the bottom of the screen with two listings, but no stats for those listings.  I wish I could remember them but I am at work on my cpu and the cpu I am having problems with is at my house

[street1 (RIP)]

Your first lesson is to quit calling your whole computer system a CPU.

Are you now using a USB Keyboard?

Do you have a plug-in on your computer for a PS/2 keyboard?

If you know how to work inside your computer you can use jumpers,
or remove a CMOS battery to reset defaults.

Also,excuse me for not saying...Welcome to Computerhope. [smiley=smiley.gif]


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