computer won't boot at all...please help

[shawn_selig291]

when i put hard drive in..it goes back to black screen with flashing "_" ..the only time computer works is when hard drive is disconnected...i also tried switching cables (ide)...and jumper settings..and had no luck..

 

[borat_sagdiyev]

ok, you need to get a new hard drive

 

[shawn_selig291]

could i try..disconnecting hard drive...booting up computer via xp cd...then plugging power cord back into hard drive?without restarting?

 

[borat_sagdiyev]

nope

 

[borat_sagdiyev]

you will probably fry something plugging it in while running

 

[shawn_selig291]

could it be mbr?

 

[shawn_selig291]

or could i try it in a new computer ..and see if i can format it there?

 

[borat_sagdiyev]

i sorry for asking this, but what is mbr? lol...not so computer nerdy afterall

 

[shawn_selig291]

master boot record

 

[shawn_selig291]

it is the hard drive for sure...i disconnected hard drive..and works okay, except no OS installed..lol... i guess i can run Linux such as ubuntu live CD..hopefully i can find a cheap hard drive no smaller then 20gb...the hard drive was only 6 years old... .....it would be awesome if someone was able to give so more ideas to try.... i still think something with master boot record...someday when i get time, I'll hook it up to another computer as slave.