Quantex Computer!!!

[M110A2]

I aquired a old Quantex computer, put in a new Hard Disc and a new optical drive. By accident I set the Auto Detection in the HDD setup from normal to auto and can't get it to go back to normal. I purchased a new OS (Win XP Pro), set the bios to boot from CD to install the OS and once it's done copying the needed files, I guess I need to change it from boot from CD to another boot config to install the OS, I've tried every config and still cant get to the setup to install the OS. I did format the drive C:/ to NTFS. I think when I accidently changed the setting in the HDD setup, I screwed something up. If I remove the CMOS battery for 5mins, will this fix my issue? Also, need to know what drive to boot from once the files copied are done and the system reboots to finish the OS install. Never had this problem before. PLEASE HELP!!!

[Tommy29]

Hi M110A2,

does your PC detect the HD at all when using Auto Detection? I guess so as you where able to format it and copy files to it.
Some HD's need to be set to Custom when the BIOS is too old to detect them properly and as Quantex took Chapter 11 in 2000 it will depend on your HD if the BIOS can detect it fine.

What I usually do is to look for the HD parameters and note them down or search for them in the web.
In case the drive is not detected I try to set them as Custom parameters and play a bit with the avail parameters.
I found a BIOS compendium on the web that helped a bit to decipher the settings on the BIOS as every manufacturer has it's own style a bit.

If the HD is clean and empty I usually leave the boot order to HD 1st and CD 2nd as the BIOS will switch over anyway to the CD in this case and I do not need to change boot order again.
In your case you should change the order as it will speed up the boot process.

If you could post your HD details and BIOS settings for the HD we can take a look and may help you.

Cheers
Thomas

[M110A2]

Out of town right now will post when I get back home, Thanks Tommy!!!

[Tommy29]

Hi M110A2,

take your time and don't rush it, we don't run and hide.

Cheers
Thomas

[M110A2]

The HD is a Maxtor 40GB at 7200 rpm, I may switch out the HD to a Western Digital 20 GB not sure of the speed on this HD. Or just find another computer to use them in from the recycle center here.

[Tommy29]

Hi M110A2,

the info you gave is unfortunately to brief to help you.
if you can post the full HD details like
"Maxtor Fireball 3 ATA133 D33019 IDE [4720]" I can take a look on the settings you will need to put into your BIOS to get it running.

The bits we need to look at are the cylinders, heads and sectors count.
The LBA mode can be of help too.

Let us know the full details and we try to help.

Cheers
Thomas

[M110A2]

Okay, I'll do my best to provide what info is labeled on the drive. Give me a few days to provide it. Thanks Tommy!!!