Dead Motherboard?

Danoff · Apr 23, 2004

So the other day I decided to format one of my old hard disks and put win2k on it. While win2k is installing I get several messages that say disk io error. After win2k is up (clean) it crashes a few times. It also displays disk io error on bootup even though it successfully boots.

So I switch the ribbon cable, but that doesnt solve the problem.

I switch hard disks but that doesnt solve the problem. At this point I figure its the motherboard.

So I go to put my hard disk on a different IDE channel and then the computer wont recognize the hard disk. Then I try to put things back

I reconnected the cdrom drives and the hard disk just the way I had them before, but now the motherboard comes back (without recognizing the hard disk) and claims that its not ATAPI compatible. It does this with 2 hard disks that I know work.

Any suggestions? Its acting sick and I think I need to buy a new mainboard.

emad · Apr 23, 2004

It probably is the mobo but just in case, check the jumpers on the drive. Try resetting the CMOS on the mobo as well. I had major problems with my processor when I first got this rig because of some screwy bios settings that shouldn't have been changed... Hopefully that helps else I really don't know

miata13B · Apr 23, 2004

Originally posted by danoff
So the other day I decided to format one of my old hard disks and put win2k on it. While win2k is installing I get several messages that say disk io error. After win2k is up (clean) it crashes a few times. It also displays disk io error on bootup even though it successfully boots.

So I switch the ribbon cable, but that doesnt solve the problem.

I switch hard disks but that doesnt solve the problem. At this point I figure its the motherboard.

So I go to put my hard disk on a different IDE channel and then the computer wont recognize the hard disk. Then I try to put things back

I reconnected the cdrom drives and the hard disk just the way I had them before, but now the motherboard comes back (without recognizing the hard disk) and claims that its not ATAPI compatible. It does this with 2 hard disks that I know work.

Any suggestions? Its acting sick and I think I need to buy a new mainboard.

Like Emad stated, CMOS or BIOS settings, when you swapped the IDE controllers you need to specify the IDE controller I believe for the most part. I also believe ATAPI compatible is in regards to a CD Drive versus a Hard Drive when it gave you that error message. Reset the Cmos via. jumpers on the motherboard to factory default and retry your steps. that doesn't work, you have yourself a new bread - board : (

miata13B · Apr 23, 2004

Sorry for the double post, but in case you don't re-check this thread. . . .

Also open up the side of your box and boot it up when troubleshooting, look for any LEDs on you motherboard. . . Depending on the Motherboard you can find light codes on the and what they mean. It would definately be a good resource for you : )

Danoff · Apr 24, 2004

It's alive!

I couldn't find the manual to figure out which jumper resets the bios, so I poked around a bit and guessed at one. I guessed correctly. The computer is back up. However, I'm still getting the errors I was before (even using the new IDE channel). At the moment I'm thinking that it's the DDR ram frequency. I've turned that down and things seem to be smooth at the moment.

Edit:
Boy that other IDE controller is hosed. I may need to pick up a new MOBO anyway.

Boost Lee · Apr 24, 2004

RTFAUP

Good idea

miata13B · Apr 24, 2004

Originally posted by Monster7
I have an almost new socket 478 Asus P4S8X Gold w/LAN/1394/SATA retail box w/all software & manuals For Sale!

Even though your cool Monster. . . RTFAUP : )

TurboSmoke · Apr 26, 2004

Originally posted by danoff
say disk io error. It also displays disk io error on bootup

i had a very similar problem to this, there is a thread about it here somewhere..

i had the same error message, disk i/o error, i changed everything from known good ram, cables, drives...

its was the motherboard that was faulty...

Danoff · Apr 26, 2004

its was the motherboard that was faulty...

Yea, that's what it came down to for me also. Except luckily it was just one of the IDE controllers on the motherboard that was faulty and I was able to get away with just using the other one.

miata13B · Apr 26, 2004

Originally posted by danoff
Yea, that's what it came down to for me also. Except luckily it was just one of the IDE controllers on the motherboard that was faulty and I was able to get away with just using the other one.

Well, it could have been worse. . . Just time to save a little cash and get a new motherboaord and put this one on the backburner as a "just in case" : )

A little off subject, but, "Motherboard" sounds like mother nature of the computer. . .