older computer, error on bootup...

[vipercrazed]

i have a gateway pretty decent specs so its worth keeping

the gateway logo boots up then a black screen and cursor, then the cursor is replaced by NTDETECT failed...(the words are only visible for like .001 second)

anyone can tell whats wrong? the harddrive isnt making any screeching so i dont think thats the problem

 

[Jorsoft]

NTDETECT sounds like Windows is trying to boot but fails. The Gateway logo just conceals the regular post cycle so it doesn't seem that any hardware is to blame. Try testing the HD in another PC if you can, otherwise copy all of the data you need off of it and reinstall Windows.

 

[vipercrazed]

yea, a boot from the windows disk is one thing i forgot to try, the hardrive is sata and my other an older ide cable, so i need to switch some stuff to test a different hdd, thanks for the ideas