Is it possible for motherboard to cause XP install problems? 3

[SteadySystems]

I have a 2 year old Pentiun PC that I wiped and attempted to install Windows XP from a bootable CD.

It hangs at some point during the blue setup process (in dos).

Is it possible for motherboard to cause XP/2000 install problems?

I took the hard drive out and put it in a completely different machine and it installed fine. Prior to this I made bios adjustments set to optimized or fail safe, removed all hardware (nic, audio, etc), re-seated memory, removed usb devices, all the little tweaks from this site.

I'd hate to think that the motherboard all of a sudden went bad. I have another machine from another client with the same exact issue.

hmmm..

 

[bcastner]

It is in all probability a BIOS issue on the motherboard, not necessarily the motherboard itself.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;815319

And ignore the title of this piece, it does apply in your case:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310064

 

[SteadySystems]

Hi bcast, good to hear from you. My issue is during the setup, before it reaches create partition, formatting, etc. Never even reaches GUI setup.

Daniel

 

[bcastner]

Is everything copacetic with the hard disk?
Can you boot into Windows98SE and pre-partition and format the hard disk prior to running XP setup?

http://www.bootdisk.com/

And disconnect any unecessary devices when running setup, particularly USB devices.

 

[SteadySystems]

The drive is fine. I understand this is against fundamentals but I after xp installed completely, I took the drive out and put it in the first computer and it worked fine. XP detected all the new hardware, etc.

We can rule out: bad xp cd, bad hard drive, bad memory

So something is happening during install only. And yes, I make it habit to remove most internal hardware and external devices during installation processes.

<shrug>

 

[bcastner]

Out-of-date BIOS.
Have you ruled that out yet?

 

[sab4you]

I dont understand how you ruled out memory?

Just because you re-seated it, doesnt mean it cannot be bad.

I would search the 'net for those free memory testers - its a boot disk and will scan your memory for errors.

Not saying thats it, just dont think you really can rule out your memory just from re-seating it. I also think you should check the BIOS for any updates.

 

[timroop]

Bad CDROM Drive? Or as previously stated Out of Date BIOS. That would be my guess.

Also remove any pci cards that aren't needed for installation (sound, network, etc). They can be added back one at a time after you get XP installed.

Tim Roop
"If you can do something about it, why waste time getting upset? If you can't do anything about it, why bother getting upset on top of it? -Shantideva

 

[SteadySystems]

- client already took the computer back, so in the future I will obtain make/model of MOBO and perform BIOS updates as a step towards resolution

This whole ordeal just seems a bit ambiguous with no real accurate resolution.

Thanks for the tips all!

 

[bcastner]

I am going to suggest you put the possibility of leaky capacitors in your mental checklist of things that can cause issues.

A Google search on "leaky capacitors" will return a large body of discussion about the issue.

It is a real issue.

Best wishes,
Bill Castner

 

[SteadySystems]

Added to my mental checklist, it's amazing what's out there, great post bcastner.

Daniel

 

[bcastner]

I had one box that it took a small dental mirror to see the leakage. It is not always evident from a simple visual inspection.

For the brave:

http://www.overclockers.com/tips1081/

 

[Sympology]

Can I add my humble advice.
Was AntiVirus protection turned OFF in the BIOS. Many MoBo's have it turned on as default and it will nail most O/S install's.
Turn it off, install O/S and then you can turn it back on.

Stu..

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[bcastner]

StuReeves,

An excellent reminder. Yes the BIOS protection on the boot sector and/or MBR record of the hard drive can be a problem.

A star for you sir for the reminder.

 

[SteadySystems]

I did not notice an anti virus protection in the BIOS but will keep that in mind.

 

[bcastner]

It is not a normal BIOS feature, but is available on certain BIOS implementations.

It certainly would screw up, if available, a new install of XP.

 

[LloydSev]

Most definately..

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[SteadySystems]

I'm sure it's written somewhere on the Windows Xp Retail box or in the manual heh!

 

[LloydSev]

No... it would be in the BIOS settings.. it is a BIOS (version) specific thing. Some newer BIOS's have it.. some older BIOS's have it..

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA