first build problems

[kiran201]

I guess it's easy to say that I am not very experienced with building computers. This is my first build, and the error is probably really stupid. When I startup my computer with no OS installed yet, I get this message that says reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot drive. I tried installing XP, but nothing is happening when I put in the disc. Thanks for the help.

[georDIE]

First of all, welcome to the forums :)

Some hardware specs would be useful, in particular what type of hard drive are you using? Did you get into the windows installation screen at all? If not, I suggest changing a setting in your BIOS that will let you boot from your CD drive first. Make sure that the cables and jumpers are set correctly and that the drives are detected in the BIOS.

[anon1011]

firstly welcome to the board ... its good to see people signing up who dont want to use the for sale forum or get a gmail invite!

and dont worry im sure everyone had problems with their first build (i know i did)

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your problem seems simple to solve, it sounds like your hard drive isnt connected properly so you should :

- check both ends of your IDE cable to make sure there round the right way and are properly connected.

- make sure your molex power connector is connected properly

- check your BIOS and see if your computer recognises there is a HDD connected

... post back when you've done this and tested again :)

[edit] d'oh geordie you beat me to it :p
...forgot to ask if it was a SCSI or IDE HDD , good thinking!

[kiran201]

It is an IDE hard drive, and I am almost positive the cable is in correctly. The drive is conneted into the master part of the motherboard, and the two disc drives are the slaves. As for the BIOS, i have been reading that word a lot while going through manuals, if anyone feels like it could they explain what exactly the BIOS is, and what I should do to configure it.

Thanks again

[georDIE]

Edit: me too slow this time!

Please don't take offence, but I'm not convinced that you know how to install a HDD correctly. Take a look at this (http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1059) page, should hopefully explain how to set the jumpers correctly and put the cables on the right way around. If the cable you are using has 80 wires on it, I'd suggest putting both your HDD and CD drive on cable select, that way you can't really make any mistakes.

As for the BIOS, it's a small chip on your motherboard that controls how a lot of your hardware works. You often press the delete key to get into it (not the backspace key btw) and occaisonally you have to press F2. If in doubt, have a look in the motherboards manual, it will say in there. The very first page that appears commonly has the HDDs and CD drives listed. If not, try using the arrow keys to navigate your way around and see what other pages are there.

[kiran201]

It's and IDE hard drive, and I still basically have no idea of what the BIOS is.

[anon1011]

to be honest you really shouldnt have built a computer if you dont even know what the BIOS is

read these :

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/BIOS.html
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/bios.htm

...and this will be particulary useful

http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/step/22/

[kiran201]

Well, I got my computer to work. I had to properly configure the hard drive. I still think that I should have built the computer, because as you can see I learn fast. If I never tried then I never would have figured it out. Thanks for everything, I could not have done it without the help and lightning fast replies.

[georDIE]

No problem, you've got to start somewhere :)

[anon1011]

no problem, have you fixed your computer yet?

[DaveMark]

im a bit late to this thred :) and it looks like its all been cleared up . but dont worrie about not kowing what bios is .. i think we were all there at one point ... u just lean from mistakes/building them... i lurnt most what i new from my dad , and since joining this site back in 02 .. i know far far more .. than him :p :)_ .... anyway welcome to the forums .. and hope we can help you in the future :) im sure one of us nutcases will know the answer :)

regards

davemark