I am Pulling my Freaking Hair Out.

**Hitman** · August 5th, 2006

Ok you guys that know me know I never ask for help, there have been very few issues in the past that I couldn’t figure out. This one has had me stumped for the past 2 weeks.

The problem started out as random BSODS and Reboots while running WinXP. So I decided to reinstall WinXP. Everything went fairly smooth. I got all my programs installed and it was running great, then I started to get the BSODS again. Went to reformat again cause I thought it might be a bogus driver, so I decided to start from scratch.

Here is where the nightmare begins. While installing WinXP it does one of three things, BSODS somewhere in the initial install or it can’t copy all the files needed for setup. This is what I have tried all resulting in the same problem. I have tried several different copies of WinXP, 3 different CD Roms, 2 different HDs, 2 Different MoBos and 4 Different IDE/SATA cables. I get the same problem, no matter what combo I use. The only common denominator here is my RAM, VC, and CPU. I have swapped out everything else. Does anyone have any ideas WTF is going on here. Cause I am stumped.

**gvblake22** · August 5th, 2006

Are you installing the OS with only one HDD installed?
I got this problem a few times in the past. Windows would never install and would always BSOD right after it reformatted the drive and I couldn't figure it out for the life of me. However, my problem went away when I switched motherboards. And when I finally went back to the board that was giving me problems I tried having only one HDD connected during the install and it went smoothly.
It's crazy though, I agree, good luck with that!

**Hitman** · August 5th, 2006

Yes I have tried it with only one HD connected. I have tried it with IDE, and SATA.

polobunny · August 5th, 2006

Tried to scan memory with memtest86+?
Also delete the partitions in the Windows install, if there's more than one on your HDD. I once got caught in the same problem, removing my backup "D:" partition helped.

Lead Head · August 5th, 2006

I had a similar problem on an older mobo, i think the IDE controller was shot. Any large IDE transfers 100MB+ cause the system to hard lock

**Hitman** · August 5th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by polobunny

Tried to scan memory with memtest86+?
Also delete the partitions in the Windows install, if there's more than one on your HDD. I once got caught in the same problem, removing my backup "D:" partition helped.

Nothing wrong with the memory, it tested fine, I already did that. I repartition every time I install. I use a separate drive for my OS. I get the same problem on both an IDE and a SATA drive. So it’s defiantly not a HD problem.

Lead Head · August 5th, 2006

What does the BSOD say?

**Capper** · August 5th, 2006

post the BSOD, but I'm wondering, are you using the same PSU? Have you tested it? Have you had any problems with malware/viruses? Maybe something infected the boot sector.

**Hitman** · August 5th, 2006

Yes I have had virus/Malware issues. I did a Fdisk MBR. also I was using all different Hardware. Anyways, it ended up being a Memory issue. After PBs post I decided to swap memory, after doing that it went right through the initial setup, its now at the GUI. I will finish this install make sure it works, and then put my computer back in its original configuration. Then install windows again.

I put an RMA in for the ram, so hopefully that was my only issue.

**Capper** · August 5th, 2006

My first guess would have been memory as well, but after you said you had tested it, that removed it from the equation....regardless, glad you got it solved

August 5th, 2006	#1
Hitman Functional Alcoholic Join Date: May 2006 Location: 14S E:561116 N:3830189 Posts: 4,387 Blog Entries: 2	I am Pulling my Freaking Hair Out. Ok you guys that know me know I never ask for help, there have been very few issues in the past that I couldn’t figure out. This one has had me stumped for the past 2 weeks. The problem started out as random BSODS and Reboots while running WinXP. So I decided to reinstall WinXP. Everything went fairly smooth. I got all my programs installed and it was running great, then I started to get the BSODS again. Went to reformat again cause I thought it might be a bogus driver, so I decided to start from scratch. Here is where the nightmare begins. While installing WinXP it does one of three things, BSODS somewhere in the initial install or it can’t copy all the files needed for setup. This is what I have tried all resulting in the same problem. I have tried several different copies of WinXP, 3 different CD Roms, 2 different HDs, 2 Different MoBos and 4 Different IDE/SATA cables. I get the same problem, no matter what combo I use. The only common denominator here is my RAM, VC, and CPU. I have swapped out everything else. Does anyone have any ideas WTF is going on here. Cause I am stumped.

August 5th, 2006	#5
Lead Head Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rhode Island USA Posts: 1,716	I had a similar problem on an older mobo, i think the IDE controller was shot. Any large IDE transfers 100MB+ cause the system to hard lock Opteron 64 165--1.5GB DDR--ECS KA1 MVP(thanks HL!)--x1800GTO 256MB--Seagate 320GB SATA--Antec 550 Watt--Antec P180

August 5th, 2006	#7
Lead Head Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rhode Island USA Posts: 1,716	What does the BSOD say? Opteron 64 165--1.5GB DDR--ECS KA1 MVP(thanks HL!)--x1800GTO 256MB--Seagate 320GB SATA--Antec 550 Watt--Antec P180

August 5th, 2006	#8
Capper We take both criticism and positive comments very positively Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 5,854 Blog Entries: 6	post the BSOD, but I'm wondering, are you using the same PSU? Have you tested it? Have you had any problems with malware/viruses? Maybe something infected the boot sector. INTEL E8400 // Gigabyte EP45 Extreme // 4GB DDR3-1600 // Palit HD 4870 // Antec 1200 // Seagate 750GB HDD // Zalman CNPS9700 // BFG ES 800W PSU

August 5th, 2006	#10
Capper We take both criticism and positive comments very positively Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 5,854 Blog Entries: 6	My first guess would have been memory as well, but after you said you had tested it, that removed it from the equation....regardless, glad you got it solved INTEL E8400 // Gigabyte EP45 Extreme // 4GB DDR3-1600 // Palit HD 4870 // Antec 1200 // Seagate 750GB HDD // Zalman CNPS9700 // BFG ES 800W PSU

August 5th, 2006	#2
gvblake22 Modder-ator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tempe Desert Posts: 6,411 Blog Entries: 1	Are you installing the OS with only one HDD installed? I got this problem a few times in the past. Windows would never install and would always BSOD right after it reformatted the drive and I couldn't figure it out for the life of me. However, my problem went away when I switched motherboards. And when I finally went back to the board that was giving me problems I tried having only one HDD connected during the install and it went smoothly. It's crazy though, I agree, good luck with that!

August 5th, 2006	#4
polobunny T-Rex Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,818 Blog Entries: 6	Tried to scan memory with memtest86+? Also delete the partitions in the Windows install, if there's more than one on your HDD. I once got caught in the same problem, removing my backup "D:" partition helped.

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