Windows 2000 boot error

[mcr525]

I have a problem which is driving me completely mad.

On many occasions just when Windows 2000 is about to load I get a blue screen with the following Stop Error - BOOT_DEVICE_UNAVAILABLE

When I reset the PC it will work and will continue to do so for a while but then on another occasion this error will rear its ugly head again.

I have tried everything imaginable to rectify the problem such as reformat about 6 times, tried 3 different hard drives, purchased new IDE cables, checked the BIOS, upgraded the BIOS...the list goes on.

The only thing I can think of is that it must be a faulty motherboard.

My spec is:-

ATHLON XP 1700+
ECS K7S5A Motherboard
Geforce 3 TI200
256Mb SDRAM

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Guest_imported]

Appreciate how maddening an intermittent fault of this type can be...

You don't say what other drives you have, but make sure the hard drive is jumpered as MASTER ONLY on the 1st IDE interface, i.e. no other device attached as slave. Try resetting BIOS to DEFAULT rather than OPTIMAL settings. Try reducing RAM speed setting in the BIOS to PC100.

What power rating (Watts) is your PSU? Anything less that 300W might be worth changing. Re-mount the motherboard, checking that you have no pillars shorting out tracks on the underside of the board. Whilst the board is out of the PC, minutely examine it for cracks or solder "whiskers" particularly around the IDE interfaces.

On the basis of what you've done, and changed already, I'd say chances are it's as you suggested, i.e. a mobo fault.

Good luck!


ROGER - GØAOZ.

 

[Guest_imported]

Appreciate how maddening an intermittent fault of this type can be...

You don't say what other drives you have, but make sure the hard drive is jumpered as MASTER ONLY on the 1st IDE interface, i.e. no other device attached as slave. Try resetting BIOS to DEFAULT rather than OPTIMAL settings. Try reducing RAM speed setting in the BIOS to PC100.

What power rating (Watts) is your PSU? Anything less that 300W might be worth changing. Re-mount the motherboard, checking that you have no pillars shorting out tracks on the underside of the board. Whilst the board is out of the PC, minutely examine it for cracks or solder "whiskers" particularly around the IDE interfaces.

On the basis of what you've done, and changed already, I'd say chances are it's as you suggested, i.e. a mobo fault.

Good luck!


ROGER - GØAOZ.

 

[access64]

Here is a link to help you trouble shoot your problem

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q324103

 

[SpecSys]

There is a thread relating to this in the Windows 2000 forum that has over 300 replies. I just ran into the problem on a work PC after having this same problem at home last year, using the EXACT same hardware you have listed. I eventually got it working (not sure how) at home, but have ordered a new HD for the work pc. I also have a new Mobo on order for the home machine.

Basically this is a Windows 2000 problem that has about 500 causes and 500 non-working fixes. It appears to be really hit and miss. Read through the thread in the Windows 2000 forum and make sure you have tried all of that stuff. I do wonder if it is K7S5A related though...