I install a new 40gb hdd on a friends PC, but I had to alter the jumpers and set it to the 32gb limit as the mobo wouldn't boot with it set as a 40gb.

Would this be causing it continually give this message at boot of choosing to boot to safe mode, last good config etc...

Not had chance to go and have a look at it yet, but I feel this might have something to do with it.

The PC was fine when the OS was on the 20gb hdd which I ghosted across to the 32gb drive, the 20gb is still installed for data.

Anyone any thoughts on the matter.

It's a old Packard Bell, 350mhz Intel with 296mb memory. Can't give exact model number as I don't know it.

That's what I would guess the problem is. The mobo can't handle the HD or you just need a BIOS update to get it to work. What HD is it? You may be able to get around that barrier using certain software or something. I know there's a way with Maxtor using their drive utilities, but I can't remember offhand.

It's an Excelstor, I've bought several of these for work and seem OK.

I'll check there website.

If not as they want to flog the PC I may swap it for my spare 20gb.

Thanks for the info.

An Excelstor??? What the heck is that? I've never even heard of that. I have always gone with either Maxtor, Western Digital, Seagate, or Hitachi and have never gone wrong or had any problems. And at my work, we usually have all WDs. But I don't know. That just sounds suspicious to me, LOL.

It's supposedly a clone of IBM/Hitachi.

http://www.excelstor.com/

See link.