So I bought My friends old PC off him as it has a decent Processor and Ram and the likes and only thing missing was a HDD. I bought a 500gb Western Digital Hard drive and tried to install windows xp Pro only to get an error message prior to install (the blue screen with yellow load bar shows up, with to set up raid divers press this button and such.  then it goes black and winxp logo shows up then an error stating to check Hard disc for virus' and such. The Computer and board is Acer (Aspire e700 to be exact...)


Is there a way to get around this? I'm not wanting to have to spend another $150+ on a mobo to run the new computer..


Thanks in advanced.


ps: I tried a corporate xp install, a Media center install (what was on the original Hard drive) and was going to try the Iso of XP off Acer's site (an Oem disc) but was told it didn't work.

It's probably not the motherboard, it sounds like it's a hard drive problem

It's probably not the motherboard, it sounds like it's a hard drive problem

Tried it with The HD in this and a spare 80 my uncle let me borrow, None would install and it will always give the error. Even stuck the 500gig I bought in my friends rig and it worked perfect

Did your friend have any issues like this? Make sure the drives are jumpered correctly and the cables are securely in. May want to check the ports on the mobo for dust since you don't know how clean he kept it. You could also try clearing the cmos and seeing if that helps.

then it goes black and winxp logo shows up then an error stating to check Hard disc for virus' and such.

What error does it tell you? I would say to format your drive if you hadn't already. Was it the same error on every xp install?

He never had any issues with this machine, and when he bought the parts for his new current one he took the Harddrive out.
I cleaned all the cables, there is one that doesn't fit anywhere though and it perplexes me. Its a small plastic cap with 3 flat-ish points, and 3 holes adjacent to them above. but there are no 3 pronged places in the board for it to go :/ 

How do I clear a Cmos exactly?

And the error is like x7p00000000 or something (thats not it but thats similar.) And yes It's the same error every time I tried to install windows.



And that extra wire? Its from the front and I THINK it may be for the LEDs in front, but not certain

You can clear the CMOS by moving the jumper closest to the battery. The battery is the large silver cylindrical thing, about the size of a quarter. Move the jumper closest to it, one pin over. Then hit the power button on the front (nothing may happen, this is normal), then turn off the system (if it came on), and switch it back. The three prong cord sounds completely optional since it comes from the front. Probably for a light, fan, or the connections on the front.
The reason I ask the error is because if you jot down the specific error message/number, you can plug it into google and find SOME other person who had this issue, or something very similar. This is definitely a very rare problem that a system will not work with several HDDs, although the rest of the components seem to work fine when running an OS booted from CD.

Hurr! I don't know what a battery is! [/sarcasm]

So I found the CLR Cmos prongs but there where 3 and a 2 piece joiner. So I took the easier way and removed the battery overnight.
little busy today but I'll be sure to get back to you guys with info. Hopefully I don't have to burn another $150+ on a mobo (as if I was to buy a mobo might as well buy something worthy...)

Update:

So I tried both Cmos CLr Prong and battery removal for a few days, and Still no sign.

This is the Error I get though.




Says like boot virus or something? On XP pro (corporate)  and Media center discs....