Hard drive problems on a X41 re-install

[Whiskydog]

Hi there, I wonder if any one can help me with the following problem. I bought a new X41 a few weeks ago and as is my wont with a new computer I formatted the hard drive and went for a clean reinstall (yep pretty silly I know but there you go) I do not have the ultrabase but use an IBM external USB CD/DVD.

Initially I tried to reinstall XP but I got a very strange error (white letters on a blue screen is always bad news) telling me that the install could not progress due to some fault on the hard drive...hmm took out the hard drive and slotted it into a 240X (yep it fits!) and tried it there with no problems.

Put it back into the X41 but it would not boot from it.

Back out again and reformatted with NTFS and back in again and tried again, same fault. I tried another hard drive, which I know works fine - same fault.

I re-formatted the original drive with FAT32 and tried that - it worked and I was able to complete the XP install albeit using FAT32, but this isn't right really it should have NTFS. (I have also tried BSD which up to now has installed on anything! - but no go)

Rang the support people, who were very friendly (if bemused) and they sent me the complete set of recovery disks and I tried them - but no go, same fault which is a stop in the basic install before you get to the recovery options.

I have tried just a normal format, leaving it 'unformatted', FAT32, NTFS all using Partition Magic, and apart from the FAT32, all no go. I have run the hard drive diagnostics program and it shows no fault. I have 'fixed' the MBR several times and wiped the MBR clean.

I do not think it is a problem with the hard drive as I have used it in another computer successfully. I have updated the BIOS with no effect on the problem. I am now completely out of ideas - I think it must be either a BIOS problem ( I have 'disabled' the pre-desktop area in the BIOS and tried 'normal') or software problem slightly further down the line, but what I have absolutely no idea. It is getting to the stage that I am going to have to send it back to get it fixed - but that seems like a cop out to me and anyway I may have to do it again, so I would really like to know how to sort it out.

Sorry about the long post, but I have really tried everything and looking at other posts I don't see this problem anywhere - do I need the ultrabase to reinstall? What I really don't understand is why it will work with FAT32 but not NTFS (all versions)

Thanks in advance for any help

[Whiskydog]

Hi there,

I thought I would just give an update on the problem. I rang the support people again and as before they were very friendly and helpful but just as stumped as me. The conclusion they have come to is that it must be a system board issue and the computer is now back with them for a replacement. I will let you know if it works!

Regards

[underclocker]

Very strange and unforturnate. A system board ought to do the trick since it's nearly the same as giving you a new computer!

Be thankful for IBM warranties and service!

[Whiskydog]

Hi There,

Finally got around to sorting the problem so I thought I would give you an update to finish the post.

Sent off the computer for a new system board got it back and….same problem. Rang up the tech people again and after much thought they said it must be the hard drive so they sent me a replacement one of those and……same problem. Rang up the tech people (now on first name terms) again and we were discussing potential memory problems etc when I thought I will just go and buy (ebay) an ultrabase and see what happens and….problem fixed!

There was nothing wrong with the computer or the hard drive (or the memory!) it just did not like my Portable Drive Bay 2000 (USB) and this is despite many assurances that this could not possibly be the problem.

Perhaps there is there some software protection embedded in the BIOS somewhere that prevents recovery using external USB (albeit IBM) CD-ROMs?

Anyway problem sorted, my advice to anyone buying a X41 is to buy the ultrabase!