Having a problem installing Windows

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by polobunny

It's a good idea to reset the bios, especially if you're replacing your CPU for a different speed on. The 3.2ghz and 2.8ghz don't have the same multiplier and it might not detect it automaticly when you put it in.

Well, it seems my assumption was right, at least. I wasn't thinking of the multiplier or anything like that when I tried the change. I assumed that both cpu's were basically the same, with the exception of the core speeds. But what you say makes sense when I think about it, since a chip built for 2.8 isn't necessarily built the same way the 3.2 is. I may wait to try the cpu thing again after I hopefully resolve the OS issue.


Edit= Well, I got impatient and I tried the CPU thing already, and though I cleared cmos first, the 3.2Ghz chip did not work. I thought it would, because the system powered on, and it looked like it was going through the POST process. But I didn't let it finish, because I wanted to check bios and see if the 3.2 would show. I suppose I should've completed POST first. I restarted, and I saw the word "invalid" flash on the screen really fast, and then the system powered off. So I put the 2.8 back in, and when the system posted, I got a message about "the cpu or speed was changed - reset in bios before proceeding" (something like that) I went into setup and loaded optimized defaults, and now at least I'm back where I started. Did I do anything wrong here?

[Blondie]

Please post some specs.

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

The jumper is the first thing I'll address, since that's easy. If I get Lifegaurd tools, and put it on a CD, will I still be able to run it, even though the drive is having a problem?

You don't know that it's the drive. You can take a drive out of another computer to rule it out. I usually just put a drive on top of the case, pull the IDE and power from the questionable drive and hook it to the temporary drive. This is the easiest way to rule out a bad drive

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

The system has 1GB of RAM (2x512MB PC3200 I believe)

I would try using 1 stick. I had a computer that would only install windows using 512 of ram.

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

I tried running the Windows setup again, and I got as far as I did the first time, and got a BSOD and a message in the boot log about the Windows signature being invalid, which leads me to believe that the CD key is no longer viable.

Exactly what was the message displayed?

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

I have a Windows XP Pro install CD that I've had for a long time, and have in fact used it on my own computer and one other I put together. So, I'm not exactly installing genuine Windows as far anyone would be concerned. The setup started and I thought it would run to completion, but I got a blue screen message that said something about setup not being able to finish due to an error. The first one I got said "Page_Fault_In_Nonpaged_Area". I've seen the screen a few times and have gotten different error messages, and it shows a physical memory dump.

Few thoughts here.
Windows: Are you using the same key for multiple computers?

Install: Go and reset the bios, then turn off things that aren't needed, say the 1394, integrated sound. I also would check your components - unplug your USB wires - any cards that are installed, say sound, pull them out. Memory, as I mentioned, pull 1 stick out. pull out anything from the USB ports, as well as the printer.

Components- Looking at Microsoft, it says the error can be related to a USB Universal Reader from Lexar Media

Keyboard & mouse - are the PS/2 or USB?

You may also think about getting a 40 gig drive to use as master, with the larger for storage.

NVIDIA video adapter - Page_Fault_In_Nonpaged_Area error

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

It has been stable until recently when it seemed like some kind of spyware got into the system with the original hdd, and the drive started having issues with failing all together or the system would fail and would need to be restarted.

Altho I've never been infected, nor have I run across a boot sector virus, looking up the error on Microsoft, it mentions various spyware/virii that give this error. Maybe someone else can jump in about a boot sector virus.

HaxDoor virus may cause error

infected with a variant of the Sdbot virus

[Gig-O-Ram]

Please be patient...I'm going to be kinda busy today, but I will do my best to answer your questions as soon as possible. Just so you know I'm not ignoring you.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by Blondie

Please post some specs.

You don't know that it's the drive. You can take a drive out of another computer to rule it out. I usually just put a drive on top of the case, pull the IDE and power from the questionable drive and hook it to the temporary drive. This is the easiest way to rule out a bad drive

I would try using 1 stick. I had a computer that would only install windows using 512 of ram.

Exactly what was the message displayed?

Okay, I will try to answer your questions as best I can:
First, won't hooking a drive from another computer cause problems anyway, since mobo drivers and such won't match? Or are you just looking for the drive to boot up?

As far as RAM, I had 1x1GB in my computer when I installed my OS and had no issues. I then went to 2x1GB.

The message that was displayed...I should have written it down, but as I said, I have seen several different ones on the BSOD, and in the boot log, like the one that said the signature was invalid. I don't remember exactly what the message said as far as specific codes or errors.

Originally Posted by Blondie

Few thoughts here.
Windows: Are you using the same key for multiple computers?

Install: Go and reset the bios, then turn off things that aren't needed, say the 1394, integrated sound. I also would check your components - unplug your USB wires - any cards that are installed, say sound, pull them out. Memory, as I mentioned, pull 1 stick out. pull out anything from the USB ports, as well as the printer.

Components- Looking at Microsoft, it says the error can be related to a USB Universal Reader from Lexar Media

Keyboard & mouse - are the PS/2 or USB?

You may also think about getting a 40 gig drive to use as master, with the larger for storage.

NVIDIA video adapter - Page_Fault_In_Nonpaged_Area error

I have used the same key on two other computers (mine, and another I put together) with no issues. This is the first time I've had issues with it.
I have a couple of cards installed, but at the moment most of the peripherals are unhooked. USB is onboard, no card (like in mine, though I have onboard as well). KB and mouse are PS/2.

Originally Posted by Blondie

Altho I've never been infected, nor have I run across a boot sector virus, looking up the error on Microsoft, it mentions various spyware/virii that give this error. Maybe someone else can jump in about a boot sector virus.

HaxDoor virus may cause error

infected with a variant of the Sdbot virus

We think that spyware may have caused the original drive to begin to fail, but I don't see why it would make installing a new drive a problem, unless spyware can get onto the mainboard or into BIOS.

Main Specs off the top of my head:

ECS VIA board w/Phoenix Award BIOS (don't know the model off hand, but could find out)
P4 2.8Ghz 133Mhz FSB
1GB RAM (2x512MB A-DATA PC3200)
GF 5700FX AGP
Ethernet card
On board sound/USB
80GB IDE HDD (original drive w XP Pro SP1- the one being replaced)
DVD ROM
DVD Writer
450W OCZ Modstream (which I just installed to replace the generic 350W)