XP Pro won't finish installing...

[Drumstix61]

Hello,
callout for help with new build:help:

See this for intel and rig specs;
http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24103

no replies as yet...


Since Friday, I can't get XP Pro to get past "Setup is starting Windows" ,to allow me to format at least 1 drive.
At the "S" prompt for specify additional device, no luck.

Loads all drivers up to that point,then the error in above post.

Pressing F6 or F10 to install 3rd party(XFX MB drivers) has no effect,and Alt-F2 ultimately gives error also.

Tried F8 for Safe Boot and no joy.
Cleared CMOS several times.

All drives are there in CMOS.
All RAM (4 Gigs) is detected
I raised Memory voltage to 1.9 volts (standard for my ram),and raised FSB to 1600 Mhz from 1333 (standard).
Put timings to standard 7-7-7-24T
Tried Memory linked/unlinked/Auto
Tried only 1 drive,1 Gig of RAM
Enabled standard Windows RAID for each and every drive and ultimately disabled them cause I want the XFX motherboard RAID Drivers.

Matter of fact,I have tried everything possible that I have come across on these forums and on the web.

I even put the XP Pro and the XFX disc into both DVD drives at the same time.
no joy.

I got a wee bit further by adding an IDE hard drive,but that gave me a boot option choice,(I still chose "Boot from CD ROM),and overall had no effect.Just shows the drive in CMOS.

What am I missing?
Please tell me bad something or other...Bad Boot Disc,GPU,MB,RAM....
Please don't say I need a floppy drive.
I wish to fix this but am stuck and do not wish to call "Geek Squad"...

In my research on this I see many threads on this very subject.

I'm wondering if I can burn the XP Pro disc to an external Hard Drive,and then boot from there?
Problem with that is my laptops CD burner is fragged.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

MTIA! (my thanx in advance!)



Stix

[Victor]

try to install with 2 sticks only to see if it works.

[joz]

sounds like a bad disk.

how old is it and how much abuse has it been through (how many times has it been used? sat around, etc..)

[Drumstix61]

Hi guys,sorry for the delay and appreciate the responses!:icon_tiphat:

@victor,
I did mate.
Actually stripped er down to 1 of each,(1 dvd drive,1 HD,1 Gig.../ then 2 Gigs etc...)

@joz,
Kinda my suspicion too!
I Just bought it from the web (brand new)

I have an XP Home disc from my Pavillion laptop,should I give it a whirl and try to upgrade it with the XP Pro? If that's possible.

Friend said check the cables,which I did,but if any were bad 1 or more devices wouldn't show in CMOS/BIOS,and everything shows ready.

Since my laptops CD-RW drive is toast I can't try another OS.

What say you?

Thanx mates,Stix:smile:

[Limbo]

If you have access to another PC with a CD or DVD drive try installing this: CDCheck (http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,22892-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html) then check the XP install disk with it.

[Drumstix61]

Thanx for the link Limbo:icon_tiphat:

But after doing more research I think I have just stumbled upon why I'm having trouble, and may have the solution for it...

I believe the fault lies with my XP Pro Discs.

Notice I say discs, instead of a single boot disc.

Service pack 2 is a separate disc in my package,and therein I believe is the culprit.

It seems (and I'm still researching and will confirm at a later time),that any XP disc NOT containing Service Pack 2,

DOES NOT RECOGNIZE PCI - EXPRESS

Crikees!

Thus,the error and no installation.
Also no chance for F6 to install the MB Drivers.

One solution is to disable PCI-e in BIOS,
then obtain a plain PCI graphics card and install XP Pro then Service Pack 2,

OR,

Create a "Slipstreamed" Boot Disc from the 2 I have and use that.

Like I said before,with my laptops CD-RW out of commission,I can't attempt this yet,but I will post back and let you all know my results.

Appreciate the help all and here is some intel on the subject;

http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic16553.html

A small question to add,

Adjacent to the top left hand side of my BIOS chip is a 2 pin connector.
What is the function?

Cheers mates,and I'll post my findings.:smile:
Stix

[Limbo]

Interesting stuff there Drumstix61, thanks for sharing. I have the install disk with SP2 already there so never had that issue. Please do let us know how things go.

[Victor]

this is the first time that I heard that you cannot install Windows due to PCIE. It shouldn't be as I have Windows XP Pro in the past when I had my DFI board which is also PCIE. The Windows I use to install it does not have SP2 either so I don't think SP2 can really make that huge of a diff in terms of sp2 or not. It's possible due to the new chipset which maybe Windows is having issue.

Though, I would suggest you to slipstream sp2 or sp3 into the installation diesk as it's just easier to install Windows (save you a lot of trouble of downloading the SPs and install them.

it's possible that some older Windows disk does not have sp1 or sp2 so that's not surprising.

BTW, did you set your initial display as PCIe or PCI? I think sometimes you can actually set the initial display as PCI (rather than PCIe) and use that to install Windows. After Windows has finished installed, then go into the BIOS and set the initial display as PCIE.

Also, make sure you have the latest BIOS installed. Also, XP cannot read other Disk during installation, in order for you to install 3rd party drive,r you would have ot use a floppy.

As for your question on using HP disk to install Windows. Usuaully manufactures will include a "restoration disk" which has an image of the HD for that system only, you cannot usually use that to install on another system.

oh, also, you can try to maybe download Windows XP with sp2/sp3 from any of the bit-torrent sites to see if you can install that way. Since you have already got hte s/n for your own disk, I don't see that would be any kind of piracy.

[MtDew]

Victor - look up slipstreaming XP install disk. I did this a while back when SP2 came out and are planning on doing one with SP3 when I get a chance. You will have to do this on another machine though. Give it a try.

[Drumstix61]

Dudes,

So I call a couple of local computer companies today...

All I need is a goshdarn comp with a hard drive and a working dvd burner with a burner program to do this.

First one said it would be REALLY labor intensive and time consuming...
yeah...right.
No smiley for this.
douchebags

Second company said ,"sure,no worries,bring your discs in and we'll get you sorted!"

So I get there with my discs,and even brought my own dvd discs to burn it to,
and the guy goes......

"Now,just to let you know,I could get in a LOT of trouble with Micro$oft,and I can't really make you a boot CD.
If they ever found out I did this ,it could cost me $150,000 dollars in fines".

Guess he ain't heard of "Bittorent",eh.

I am like "WTF"? "You said you could"???

He says,

"However, I can put this on your Rig if you bring it here..."

I think,"well,it's heavy as a B**ch but I can do this!"
(wish he would have mentioned this BEFORE I got there...GGGRRRR!!!")

Then he says;

"Now here's the bad part....This is considered a "fresh install" and it will cost you $185 dollars!!!"

That's what I paid for my 8800GT!!!!!!!

You can get an XP Pro disc with SP2 for $59 dollars US online...........

He had them in his "Shop" for $180 US

Loser.

@ Victor;

Yes.You are one of the "Lucky" ones.;-)

Yes,I have tried PCI only.

My BIOS was originally set for PCI and made no difference in the ability of XP Pro to get past the hang point,
Let alone the chance to hit F6 to install 3rd party drivers.(Motherboard)

Also,I CAN'T install the latest BIOS Flash without an Operating System installed first.Or,at least another working DVD drive to burn it to CD.

Also,I do NOT need a Floppy drive mate.They are Dinosaurs...

But you do make one shining good point,and that basically mirrors what the shop owner said,

If I had a friend with a CD of XP Pro,I could use it to boot with and then key in my serial number.

And I can do as you say,the "Bittorentz", then type in my Security Code.But that is illegal.

Cheers,Stix:grin:

[Limbo]

Is it possible to slip stream it with the necessary drivers and make an ISO which you could mount and run from within windows? Perhaps with the ISO on a spare HDD and fresh install to another HDD? Never tried this myself so I may be way out there, just a thought anyways...

[Drumstix61]

Is it possible to slip stream it with the necessary drivers and make an ISO which you could mount and run from within windows?
NO..sorry.When there is no OS installed this is not an option.

Perhaps with the ISO on a spare HDD and fresh install to another HDD? Never tried this myself so I may be way out there, just a thought anyways...


YES! umm, NO! maybe,haven't tested yet.

It is "1" way to do it.

@Limbo;

Your not getting it.
For a BRAND NEW BUILD, You need to follow these steps.

1.Make sure you have a "1 Disc install"

It ensures compatability with PCI-e and SATA.

See here:
Slipstreamed Windows XP CD Using SP2 (http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm)




THANX,STIX.:-D

[Drumstix61]

Update for you nice folks that gave advice;:icon_tiphat:
I am typing this on my new build and.....System is up and running!

I stuck my HP disc of XP Home with SP2 in and it booted!
Still have to slipstream XP Pro...with SP2 .
I ran Memtest to 75% with zero errors.

Couple small things of concern,but nice to be up and running with the new gear.

1st is my cpu temp in nvidia system monitor.It reads WAY high @ 60 celcius!
I have 7 case fans and the case blows cool air out and cpu temps read 40 to 50 celcius in BIOS.
Motherboard is 32 celsius. GPU is 42 celsius.
Anyone know a good temp monitor program?
Perhaps an additional application of thermal paste is warranted?

My thanks for the suggestions and help!

One would think enabling RAID 0 would be a bit more uncomplicated.:wink:
my F6 prompt didn't work...:frown:

No worries,cheers mates and thanx,Drumstix!

[Goliath182]

1st is my cpu temp in nvidia system monitor.It reads WAY high @ 60 celcius!
A lot of time programs in windows reads the temp wrong. With they cooling you have id say your fine, the program is just reading it wrong.

[Victor]

i read that using real temp is the best way to get the temp info for the latest intel cpu.

[Goliath182]

It still doesn't always work.

[SonicWRX]

Sorry i missed all this excitement. I have run into two things that may be related to this in some way. When installing from a SATA DVD/CD XP Pro discs will fail at random during install on some chipsets and drives. If you have access to an older IDE drive it will work Fine. I have never found any real reason for it to fail it just does.