Windows installed, but still have problem

[Gig-O-Ram]

This will add to the last thread about a problem with Windows.

I did this install last night with a new OEM disc without removing a RAM stick or any cards (didn't have time). The install seemed to work okay, and I actually got through the entire install process this time, but I'm still having an issue.

During the part of the install where setup is installing devices, I got an error message that said "Windows could not load the installer for disk drive". I click OK, just to see what would happen, and a few seconds later, I got the same message. Click OK again, and the message came on again, but this time it said the same thing, but with CDROM. I got it again and it said Battery. So..."Windows could not load the installer for Disk Drive/CD ROM/Battery" So I click OK, and the setup continued on for a while.

A while later, I got another error message that stated:
"Found New Hardware Wizard - cannot install this hardware - there was a problem installing this Hardware - SYSTEM - an error occured during the installation of this device - the data is invalid"

??????????

So here's where I'm at right now - I'm pretty sure Windows is installed now, but it won't boot up. All that happens when I try to boot the system is the POST/boot screen comes on, the drive sounds like it will start to boot up Windows, and then it goes into another restart. And when I got to this point, the text on the monitor went from it's usual bright bluish white to a dimmer, almost greenish color. Even BIOS is dimmer for some reason. So, I haven't gotten to install any board drivers or anything else, because Windows isn't booting.

Should I reformat the drive and begin again with a fresh install - maybe with one less memory stick and no unecessary cards? Should I reset CMOS again? Should I RMA the drive and just plain start over? Should I get a new board? I think I've got 30 days to RMA the drive, but I don't want to wait too long or I'm out the $$.

[jph1589]

I would almost bet that is an OEM Dell Windows CD???

About 2 years ago I went looking for the best deal on an oem windows install cd. I found it at chief value at the time and have used it many times on many machines.

About a year ago i needed another license and bought the cheapest I could find again (thinking they were all the same). I don't remember where it came from but the disk that they sent me was actually a Dell OEM windows install. According to their license with microsoft, they are not allowed to remove anything from the original install, they are just allowed to copy it. This wasn't a dell recovery cd either, it was supposed to be a full Windows XP SP2 install cd. Well I am here to tell you, they remove all kinds of stuff. I tried to use that install on a normal intel setup and and got the same kind of error you got. I tried it a bunch of times. Then I put in my trusty oem copy from chief value and it worked fine.

So then I started comparing the disks and the Dell one have about 200 fewer files on it. So if they do it, I am sure lots of companies do it. I'm not sure how to tell you to get one that is complete, but if it were me, I'd buy it from newegg and make sure it wasn't from a specific hardware vendor.

Just my gut feeling ....... that is your problem.

[Panda Man]

If it is a Dell OEM, toss it, they're trash. If it a true OEM M$ windoze CD, then something is wrong with the hard disk. Low level format it and see if it helps. Also grab a copy of this:

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview

and run "Salvation HDD Scan and Repair" or any other appropriate diagnostic tool for your hard disk and see if it picks up anything. How old is this disk anyways?

[Quakindude]

Can't recall from your last thread, but are you undoing your over clocks while installing Windows?

[Gig-O-Ram]

I don't know about vendors, but I bought the disc from Newegg...

I don't think they'll like it, but if Windows won't work, I'm gonna ask them to take the disc back. Windows won't boot, I can't use it, so it's no good to me.
I'm gonna format the HDD again, and give it another try and see what happens.

And the computer I'm working on was never oc'd.

[jph1589]

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

I don't know about vendors, but I bought the disc from Newegg...

I don't think they'll like it, but if Windows won't work, I'm gonna ask them to take the disc back. Windows won't boot, I can't use it, so it's no good to me.
I'm gonna format the HDD again, and give it another try and see what happens.

And the computer I'm working on was never oc'd.

You don't have another Windows install cd you can try? If you do, you could use/try it and use the product code from the one you bought from newegg. That will tell you if it is the install cd or not that is causing the problem.


EDIT!! never mind, i just read your other thread.

[Blondie]

I'm pretty sure I suggested it in the other post, but here goes.

Disconnect everything. I mean all power from the power supply, all IDE cables. I wouldn't redo the front panel connector. I'd pull out any cards, and IIRC, you have 2 1 gig sticks of ram - take 1 out. You also have a sound card IIRC, take it out. Use 1 CD or DVD drive. There was question of whether the drive was good, use the one from your other computer - it won't matter if you take it out, you're just swapping the part for this install. Once you're done you can put it back. I'd have to say that since you're now having issues with 2 disks, it is the drive.

Reconnect everything. Make sure when you connect the HD and CD drive you use the correct one on the mobo and also use 2 cables. Set each as master making sure you're using the master connector on the IDE cable.

Go into the bios, put everything on default. Then go in and turn things off - 1394, integrated sound. Make sure the ram speed is right, if it isn't and you have no clue what it should be, setting it lower is fine for now. I had one mobo that would give me errors when I used the correct ram speed until windows was installed, then patched. Once I did that, I was able to correct the ram.

Try to load the windows CD, using the quick format. If you get an error, please post the error. I've had weird issues where on 2 the mobo was bad.

[Blondie]

Here are the specs from the other post if anyone needs them:

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)

[Gig-O-Ram]

^^^ Thanks, Blondie! That was industrious of you.

OK, update...

Since work and late holiday prep have me very busy, I haven't had time since my last post to actually do what you suggested (unhooking everything), but last night I had a few minutes to reformat that drive and I did another install of Windows.

The install worked as it should this time with no errors at all during the setup, and I actually saw it run through a few processes it didn't do the first time, which I thought was weird. Anyway, I got it setup and then changed bios to boot the hdd, and now I get as far as the Windows boot screen, but the little blue loading bar stops with two or three dots showing, and then just stops. I restarted a few times and saw this same thing. I went into safe mode, and I can actually get into windows that way. I tried installing the chipset drivers, and got a message that basically says that the software I'm trying to install is not compatible with SP2. I knew in the past I'd have to update the chipset to get SP2, but I never did. I'm thinking now about getting a new board and trying it again.

[Blondie]

I wonder if another part went bad? I built a computer for my daughters friend, it was doing the same thing. I shut it down and for some reason touched the vid card. The HSF was loose. I changed out the vid card, presto - everything was fine. Do you have another vid card to swap out temporarily? This will at least tell you if it's bad.