New PC set-up problem loading Win XP

[Fez57]

The new build set-up is:-

Asus A7n8X Deluxe Rev. 2
XP3000+ Athlon
Connect 3D Radeon 9800 pro 256meg
Sound blaster Audigy 2 (removed from case to eliminate from problem)
WD Raptor 36.7GB SATA (currently has a disk read error atm)
Baracuda 120GB SATA
Corsair pc3200 2 x 512 sticks.
Windows XP Pro

I have the Asus SATA drivers from the website and pressed F6 to let windows recognise the hard drive. It will start to load up windows and generally get to the blue screen with the five installation stages.

From here the problem starts. Most of the problems occur when it is still intalling windows, it crashes out to a blue screen with IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, and text about checking hardware and drivers and contacting your admin etc. Sometimes it will get to the final stage and then crash out and even to registering components.

A few time I have got past that stage and actually seen the windows desktop. I have manage to partially load the Mobo drivers and software loaded ok a few times, but also crashed out at that stage. It has asked me to load up the SP1 for windows and crashed out at that stage too, and twice got through that.

After getting through all that, I have restarted the PC and when the pc turns on it seems to boot fine. however when my desktop/background picture appears there are no icons or a start menu! if i press control+alt+delete then it shows that no programs are running, not even explorer.

After a few restarts the machine stops at the welcome page and goes nowhere. Time for another reboot and format. I have tried the windows repair, but even that crashed out.

I am in real need for some answers as the window is open and there is a nice drop to the concrete below!!

Cheers for anything useful

Fez


__________________

[Mollie]

Try starting *completely* from scratch, doing the following in the order listed:

Take your time. Be methodical. Have everything you need before you start, including a notepad and pen to write down any error messages you may receive during the installation process. Be sure to write down the error messages exactly as they appear, word for word, letter for letter - knowing the exact error message will help tremendously in solving any problems you may encounter.

(1) Get updated drivers for *all* of your hardware, if possible.
(2) Disconnect all non-essential hardware, i.e., hardware that your computer doesn't rely on to operate, such as scanners, zip drives, printers, etc.
(3) Reformat the hard drive.
(4) Reinstall XP.
(5) After reinstalling XP, before installing *anything* else, install all of the drivers for your motherboard - BUT instead of using any updated drivers, use the original drivers that came packaged with your motherboard. (If you've gotten this far, I wouldn't worry too much about installing drivers for your hard drive, as Windows has obviously recognized it.)
(6) Install any hardware drivers that are essential, and/or that Windows recognizes as needing to be installed. Do not connect or install any non-essential hardware yet.
(7) Install any other software you consider essential for the operation of your computer.
(8) Install SP1.
(9) Install the updated drivers for your motherboard.
(10) Connect the rest of your hardware and install the drivers.
(11) Install any remaining software you want on your computer.

This may or may not help, but at this point, it sure can't hurt to try.

Good luck!

Mollie

[MoMan]

I have almost an identical system to yours. Except that I run the onboard sound. Which is extremely good.

Now, your problems sound suspiciously like a memory timing problem or a heat problem. Make sure you have one memory module in slot 3 and one in either slot 1 or 2. Set your memory timing to normal. Yep, performance mode/dual channel is quiet the kick, but let's get things working first. Just go with conservative memory settings. Make sure the Bios is set to Plug and Play OS "Yes". Make sure the Sound options are disabled. Make sure your rear case fan or fans are blowing outward and front ones are blowing inward.

Mollie is right on. Think methotically. Your correct in removing the sound card. Go a step further though:

As far as drivers go, yep have the SATA basic drivers on a floppy for the XP install. Use the all-in-one driver set from ASUS on the motherboard CD. There are some individual ones from nVidia that are later versions, but I haven't seen any real improvement.
Don't install the 2.0 USB drivers until after you installed XP SP1. They won't work til afterwards, anyway.
The 3Com NIC will be installed by XP. The nVidia NIC will be installed as part of the all in one driver set.

You didn't say which drive you were installing Windows on, but the WD Raptor (I run the same drive) is second only to running a high-speed SCSI drive. That's what I would have running Windows and programs. So (given that), I would unplug the IDE hard drive. If you don't, XP installation will want a partition on the IDE drive and put the system boot files on it. Even though your installing on the SATA drive. (I have a question to ASUS about that right now, the SATA drive is suppose to appear to Windows as the First drive, but No) During the install, make sure you select "Format NTFS" not a quick format. Do not use Partition Magic. Once you have XP installed, then shutdown and plug in the other drive. Within Windows, partition the drive. I would set a small 3 gig partition as the first partition to set XP to run the pagefile on and remove the paging from the system drive. Partition the rest as you like. I would make the IDE drive partitions logical so as not to confuse Windows and have it end up jumbling your drive letters.

If the install will not work on the SATA drive, do the opposite. Plug in the IDE and unplug the SATA.

If all else fails, try a different installion CD. I've seen corrupted or problematic factory CD's. My coffee cup is sitting on one.

Since I have the same hardware, send me a private note if you have any questions. I've learned some hard lessons with this board, but fella it screams. It's the fastest thing I've ever seen in a conventional desktop. The WD drive makes HUGE difference.

[drakon]

This may or may not come across completely stupid, but I had the same problem. After all was said and done, I found out that the problem was the processor socket. If you have a really big heatsink then it might have pulled the processor slightly loose. First, take out your cpu and then put it back in Firmly, and then re-install Windows. To make sure you get all of the way through the installation you might want to keep your tower on it's side.