I ran a PC with dual boot (Win 2k pro & linux) without a problem for two years. Recently I attemoted to mount hda & hdb from within linux w/o success (linux was on hdc). I used the mount command for the first time and probaly wrong syntax, nothing happened. I had three linux systems on hdc, and I attmpted the mount in Turbo linux and RedHat linux.

Later I rebooted and was unable to get into Windows 2000. The windows 2000 pro screen (just right before log in screen) hanged. I removed linux & formated hdc, and installed win 2k feesh on it. when the installation was complete, It still took over an hour to log in to windows 2000. Now I have only windows 2000 pro on the master primary IDE, it takes over 3 hours to log into windows 2000 (unbleivable, but true, I timed it several times). I took my motherboard apart and reinstalled windows 2000 again, the problem is still there. Did linux damage or reset the HD's or the motherboard when I tried the mount commands, or is it a hardware problem. My PC was working fine prior to this. Help Please.Thank you.

P41TA Mainboard with 423 socket, Pentium 4, 1400 MHz, Intel 850 chipset AGP 2x/4x
512 Rambus Dram, hda 60 GB, hdb 8 GB, hdc 10 GB
Nivida graphic card with 32 meg

Emad

I think next I would try running fdisk on the W2K partions, including fdisk /mbr to write a new master boot record. You probably already know this, but use NTFS partions for your W2K machine for best performance. Also you might look for something silly like a missplaced jumper on the master/slave settings.

cheers.

Thank you everyone. I finally fixed it. It wasn't the MBR or the need to low level partition. The problem persisted even after I have done both and reinstalled win2k.

It turned out to be an IRQ conflict. An ESS sound card was hugging IRQ 9 and delaying the graphic card and the two USB ports. I have no idea why something like this popped up out of the blue without warning. I had this PC for over 3 years and all the hardware coexisted and worked fine.

The only thing I can think of is Linux again. I remember trying to setup the ESS audio card in Linux a day or two prior to the problem. Linux might have reset something on the card and forced it to call and hug IRQ 9. Anyway the problem is solved and thanks again to you all.

Emad