Another 8880 boot problem

Boot Problem:
Won't boot XP-SP1 Pro from the HDD reliably. The error
message is "couldn't start because the following file is
missing or corrupt" system32\drivers\pci.sys
On occasion, the same msg/location ntfs.sys or isapnp.sys

When I try to use the install CD to try the "r" repair
option, I often get the error message
"an unexpected error (536869792) occured at line 1768 in
d:\xpsp1\base\boot\setup\arcdisp.c." press any key to
continue.

Note that the combo CD-ROM/DVD failed last November.
Windows XP sees the drive, but it can't be accessed.

I finally bit the bullet and fdisked the drive. When
I tried to install XP-SP1 as well as W2000, all the
same symptoms.

When I fdisked using the /mbr master boot record, XP
installed normally.

My 8880 worked fine for a few hours, then back to the
trouble mentioned above at the top.

What can be the problem, and what can be done?
CPU problem? HDD problem? MoBo problem? Controller/
MoBo problem?

I'm at a loss here. Any suggestions? Please email to
robtom1966@yahoo.com

Thanks
Rob

I've eliminated most possibilities related to the mobo using diag tools. I took the "fast-boot" off so the full mem would test at boot. Errors were reported and no boot past POST! I'll buy some new SODIMM mmem today. I think your suggestion is correct.

Rob

This problem jus' gittin' freek-ee-err....

Yesterday I bought and installed two Samsung 8-chip 256 MB SODIMM DDR266 chips. Not a crash or hiccup since.

But...

During disk partioning when I installed WinXP (with SP1 slip-streamed) two partitions or "disks" appeared. One was the normal "unallocated" ready for partioning and installation strangely labled [MBR]. The other was a 244 MB partition that mysteriously appeared on my Hitachi/Travelstar HDD! It was also labled [MBR], unallocated, and there is NOTHING I can do to eliminate it!

It appeard as though it is a separate drive, not part of the 40GB on the Travelstar. Also, it did NOT "borrow" space from the HDD. All of the 38154 MBs were available for use on the other unallocated drive/partition ready for partitioning and use.

Just for kicks to see what it was, I partitioned the 244 "drive" as well as the other normal unallocated space. Then I installed WinXP into a 6GB partition on the "other drive." Once I got XP installed, the 244 MB "mystery" did not appear in explorer or any WinXP disk utilities.

On my desktop I did a partial install to see if the same problem appeared. The 244 MB mystery partition DID NOT appear during the XP setup disk partitioning on my desktop.

I also tried the install on my Toshiba that came with the 8880. I've never seen the mystery 244 [MBR] "disk/partition" in many installs since I got the 8880 June 2002. But it was on my Toshiba now! Exactly the same!

I used several MBR editors, eg., ptedit, on the Hitachi, as well as reset all to zeros in the MBR. The 244 MB [MBR] partition was still there during XP install/partitioning! Once I completed the XP install, the partition does not appear in XP anywhere! It appears only during the drive partitioning and selection during install.

Even though the remainder of the XP install goes flawless, I'm nervous about this strange install partitioning. I depend very much on my computers.

Any ideas? Win98(4.10.2222) fdisk does not show this "mystery" partition. Is there any way I can flash/update the BIOS assuming there is a problem? I used to run Win2000 and never had this 244 mystery partition problem. I have not tried a Win2000 install since these problems began. Maybe I should try a Win2000 install just to get to the partitioning utility and see what appears.

Rob

P.S. I did a Win2k install. The set up's partitioning utlity DOES NOT show the myster 244 MD extra drive/partition. Hmm...

244 MBs of egg on my face...

The 244 MD "extra-drive" WAS an extra drive. I left my 256 MB flash card in when I installed. OOooppss... Seems like the only trouble with the 8880 was the memory. The bad memory was replaced and all is well.

End of story, thanks for the input.

Rob