Having some major issues! A few questions.

[Goanna]

Okay, well a few months back I posted about how I was getting constant BSOD's on my (at the time) main box, running XP Pro.

Here are its specs.

Lanparty NF2 Mobo (w/ IDE Raid)
Athlon 2200+
1 Gig PC 3200 Ram
2x 120GB Hard Drives in Raid 0
1x 250GB HD
1x 80GB HD
2x DVD-RW's

The system is watercooled, using a swiftech block.

Well, anyway, I sort of gave up on the BSOD issue, as I was given a 2 GHz dell, and as much as I dispise them, I started using it more and more, and this PC less and less. I wound up basically using this box as a file and print server, and only accessing it over the network, as that seemed to work pretty good, and often would not result in a BSOD.

Finally though, I decided its time to fix the thing. I figured reformat C: and go with a clean install. (C: is a 30gb partition of the RAID 0 drive).

So, I start the install, but I forget to load the raid drivers, so windows cant see the raid drive, only my 250GB drive on primary IDE. So, I restart and pop in the RAID disk, but it tells me I have no disk drive!

So, now I start double checking the connections to the floppy, and all looks well, but as doing so, I move the water line going to the block, and water start pouring out all over the Mobo!

I wipe it all up as best I can, and make sure the block isnt going to leak anymore, but I already feared the worst. I let it air dry for several hours as well, even though I saw no traces of water (plus, my mobo is sprayed with silicon conformal coating).

I finally give it a go again, and the machine starts. I still had the floppy problem though, so I tried a new drive, and still doesnt sense it. I booted into Bart PE, and in the explorer, no floppy drive shows up.

And then, after exiting bart PE and restarting the machine, all of a sudden, it dies as soon as it tries to boot something. I cant boot into anything, windows, bart pe, or the windows install disk. It just shuts down.


So, I basically think I am up a creek without a paddle here. I have been considering putting together an AMD 64 bit system recently, so I might just go ahead and do that.

Here is my main concern, the data on my RAID 0 array, how can I back that up? The mobos I am looking at have sata raid, so would I be able to use an SATA to IDE adaptor and re-form the array on a new machine?

Also, since my worst watercooling fear has happened, I am considering not going with watercooling on a new A64 system. So, what is a good air cooler for the Athlon 64 line?

Sorry this is kind of long, but I figured I would go through what happened before asking the questions. Thanks!

[phaseuk066]

It depoens which A64 you get. I have a 3200 clawhammer, and i use a 64 Freezer by arctic cooling... thats pretty good. I have no idea how you can back up that drive. But if you do have the cash, and depoending on the chip and how much you OC it, then id go for something other than air or water.Or do spend a load on Air, there are so many air Sinks you can get now..

[Blazenblue]

I belive the SLID-DR is capable of IDE Raid Sata Raid and cross controller Raid, if i'm remembering right (its very late) this would allow you to put in your IDE drives and stright copy them onto either a sinlge other drive or to a Sata Raid or whatever.

[Goanna]

I am looking at the Athlon 64 3000+ Venice from NewEgg. No way I could afford a dual core right now, lol.

This is what I was thinking of, however I most likely will just be getting the basics, CPU, Mobo, New Ram, HD's, the rest has to wait probably.

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/...itle=New%20Rig

[Goanna]

Originally Posted by Blazenblue

I belive the SLID-DR is capable of IDE Raid Sata Raid and cross controller Raid, if i'm remembering right (its very late) this would allow you to put in your IDE drives and stright copy them onto either a sinlge other drive or to a Sata Raid or whatever.

hmm, what is the SLID-DR? I hit up google, not getting much in return.

[Goanna]

Well, I made some progress actually. I took a break for a while, caught up on some stargate, lol .

But, anyway, I tried 3 floppy drives and not one worked. So, I downloaded nlite and slipstreamed my RAID drivers into a new windows install CD, and now I am able to continue the install afterall. And, so far, the PC hasnt just shut down unexpectedly, so heres hoping all will go well .

[Phixation]

I almost bought the Seagate harddrive you have listed in your wish list but a bunch of guys talked me into this one http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822144701 . It is supposed to be much faster because of the 16mb cache and is the same price and size as the Seagate. Just do a search for my name and you will find a post about my new system build that I just ordered and the info is in there. Just a heads up as I was about to buy the Seagate as well.

[Goanna]

Thanks for the heads up. Ill go make an adjustment to my list .

[Goanna]

Okay, well I hope I dont jinx myself but all seems to have gone well! In fact, I got away with an upgrade, instead of reformatting and reinstalling completly! I do still plan on a clean install, but now I can back up some items that were on C:/ (ie, alot of web design files, my local server was at c:/wm/www/).

So, not only is it working again, but I got to install another stick of PC3200 512mb so I now have 1.5 GB ram in this system (I previously couldnt install the ram, it seemed to make the system even more unstable and go into a BSOD), and I also finally installed my 16x Dual Format Dual Layer DVD burner that I bought on Black Friday last year, lol. Its been sitting under my desk in a sealed box all this time, as I knew I wouldnt be burning DVD's any time soon with the constant BSOD onsault.

Anyway, heres hoping to a little stability until I can get some dvd archives made. After that, its time for a nice clean up .