Cheers bud, had no idea that might help. Right I'm off to attack it now before feeding the cats and off to bed. I'll post again tomorrow.

Your welcome,flashing BIOS via removal of battery can help but you may have to reset some of the settings afterwoods.

Yes lets us know how it goes.

Thanks buddy, computer is live again. Now I've just got to figure out how to install Windows onto my blank hard drive since my computer is still trying to finish installing windows again on the old drive. Every time it switches on it is at the fourth stage of installing windows. Can I just swap hard drive after booting up before it gets to this stage (only have the provision for one at a time) or will this cause big problems?
Sorry I'm a bit of a moron when it comes to software and programming and stuff

Sad really, cause I used to make a lot of money selling Spectrum games I'd written as a kid, but then my folks bought me an MGT Sam Coupe (A WHAT I hear you say????) and that kind've ended my relationship with computers, having been given an ultra 8-bit machine just as 8-bit died a death.

Hello glad the pc is back up and running.

Ok you only need to format(install)windows on one drive,that would be the new one.
It is diffrent princible to fomat a slave drive.
I have IDE slaves and once windows is installed on the main drive I boot up computer,logon and open my computer and right click on slave drive and click format,so it is an empty drive for storage.A warning will popup saying you will loose data etc just click ok to continue.

I will post you a few links on SATA drives and how to format.

I hope you get it all sorted,let me know how it goes.

You need to readup on RAIDs and switches also.


Seagate Technology - How To Install and Troubleshoot Serial ATA (SATA) Hard Drives

Seagate Technology - Serial ATA Jumpers and Cabling

Seagate Technology - Serial ATA (SATA) Troubleshooter


Seagate Technology - Downloads

How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP

How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or Repartition a Hard Disk

Hmm, well since being up and running, it succesfully finished the windows re-install on the old Maxtor drive. Not sure whether it has any faults or not now (although I'll admit I'm currently running it on top of the PC enclosure and upside down).
So might just sell the Seagate on, as I don't have the provision to fit it on my board anyway.
Anybody got any advice as to a suitable power supply upgrade as well? (or should I start a new thread?)
Cheers again jellybean, you de man! (and my three year old is very impressed by the eeyore avatar as well! And the shouty smilie.)

Ahhh god PC is up and running.

Ahhh 3 yearold a good age.I am a mummy not a daddy lol.I am MISS.He he.