Is it the MB the culprit here? 5

[javierdl]

This is the taughest case I've had so far.
The 2 main problems are:

1. Many files cannot be copied during the copying-files part of the setup (right after running "winnt.exe" from the i386 folder (under DOS).

2. And when finally under a different attempt, it succeeds copying all files without a problem...it freezes right when it says: "Setup is starting Windows 2000" (really?!!!) -

The following URL will show you at what stage of the installation of XP and/or 2k the setup stalls/freezes:

http://webfolio.sunnylandbaja.com/temp/winstartup.jpg

At this point I suspect the problem is the mb, because by now I have already moved the HD into my own computer, and successfully installed XP there, but when moving the HD back to its original PC it wouldn't be able to load WinXP (the screen was solid black). I also moved this HD into a third pc, and it didn't work either.
I have also swapped its CDrom with mine, but it keeps giving the same results, so I know now the CDrom was not the problem.
Could it be really te MB the problem here?

Thanks in advance guys

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[javierdl]

cdlvj, although I have gotten the same results using both Win2k & WinXP CDs, I guess at this point it won't hurt trying Win98 too.

And the path is norrowing down...
These are the new changes:
- I have added some thermal grease on the cooler, it did look like it needed it.
- And I am presently using ram from other pc.

Yet it got stuck at the same point using XP.

Now I am about to try Win98 as cdlvj suggested....

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[javierdl]

Well, so far so good. I am almost done.
I hope I can upgrade Win98 to WinXP afterwards.

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[cdogg]

Just to double-check...

If you take a look at the last link I posted, usually the blue connector goes into the motherboard and the opposite black connector at the other end would go to the hard drive. Whichever end of course that has the middle connector close to it would be for your hard drive.

Looks like you're on a roll though, and may have just found your problem - a bad OS CD.

 

[javierdl]

Just when I thought things would be different!
I attempted to do an upgrade from Win98, and although it looked promissing on its first phase, once it rebooted and continued in DOS it ended up at the same blue screen saying you know what: "Setup is starting Windows"

This confirms that the problem hasn't been any of the CDs.

cdogg, yes I made sure the blue side went into the IDE controller on the side of the mb. And the HD is right at opposite end of the cable.

Any other ideas?

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[javierdl]

This confirms that the problem hasn't been any of the CDs."

Wait a sec... actually, the Win98 CD did work, is just any of the NT counterparts that haven't worked (2k nor XP)

What this means then?

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[javierdl]

While the XP setup was doing a scan to find non-compatible devices it found that a Communications controller & the video card were not compatible, do you guys think that any of these could actually be the reason for the freezings?

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[paparazi]

What this means is nothing!
W2K and XP are far more hardware demanding and will often make a system fall over when W98 installs without a problem.
In my opinion this just reinforces the possibility of a hardware problem.
I may I not read the thread properly but I havn't seen any mention of your system specs??
Is this an Athlon/Duron system? I don't see how we could have got so far without establishing exactly what hardware you have?
I mention Athlon/Duron because these symtoms are typical of an overheated/damaged CPU
But you still need to swop out your memory as well.
Martin

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Participate and help others.

 

[javierdl]

I am sorry, you are right Martin, it looks like everyone forgot to ask about the specs, here they are:
CPU: 933 megahertz Intel Pentium III
MB: Board: Intel Corporation D815EPEA2 AAA45154-201
BIOS: Intel Corp. EA81520A.86A.0034.P18.0205142057 05/14/2002
128 Megabytes Installed Memory (not his own)
As for the graphics card, I haven't been able to get any info on it, B. Advisor didn't pick up any info, and there is nothing printed physically on the card that would reveal manufacturer or model. But I have swapped it for a Hercules temporarily.

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[TekTippy4U]

You need to configure the BIOS properly - Load the Setup Defaults.
What's the BIOS date?
What's the Age of Mobo? around4-5yrs old?
Hows about a make/model

Other thoughts;
Disable any AntiVirus Boot Sector (Write) protection in the BIOS, -as PM needs to customize the MBR for use - then it makes/allows a Backup floppy during setup.
If the Mobo is OLD - 2k/XP won't be compatable and will failk on Hardware detection too.

If you load the BIOS Setup defaults, whatever o/cing you did will go away (another known cause of failure, thiugh I don't think you o/ced)

Could Pull the CMOS battery for 5-10min

Could try a BIOS update for Win2K/XP

Disable ALL unnecessary Onboard BIOS crud

Got a PCI/AGP video card installed?
Disable Onboard Video

Got a Sound Card in
Disable Onboard Sound

The CDROM goes on Sec Master
HDD on Primary Master - Triple check the BIOS's IDE Parameters - set to AUTO for those 2 only -- OFF for the others, make sure "Use Both Channels" is enabled in the BIOS

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
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[TekTippy4U]

we must've been posting close to the same time (as I was writing ) concerning some of my questions - so ignore them

Heck - run an FDISK /mbr (98) or a FIXMBR (2K/XP) before beginning.

That mobo (if good) should take 2K/XP
BIOS is recent enough

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

 

[cdogg]

I have the same motherboard in one of my systems which is running XP and had Win2K on it at one point.

Just out of curiosity, how long have you waited at the "Setup is starting Windows 2000"?

It is starting to sound like a CD-ROM problem. Have you tried copying the setup files to the hard drive and running it from there? Definitely try wiping all partitions and rebuilding the primary as TT4U suggested...


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[paparazi]

Just a side note* and nothing to do with your problem.
128mb is woefully inadequate for Windows XP, if eventually you manage to install this OS is will run very poorly.
It really needs a minimum of 256 but runs better at 384 or above.
I'm still giving your main problem thoughts.
Martin

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Participate and help others.

 

[javierdl]

New info:

Now we can add WinME to the list of OSs that froze while installing although further in the installation

A few differences to consider this time around (for the above attempt):
- Done not with its own ram, but mine (128sdram)
- Done with my IDE cables too
- Done with a PCI graphics card (Hercules 3D Prophet 4000XT)
- I did run the FDISK /mbr command as TT4U suggested (prior to installation attempt).

However, since none of the above seem to have made any difference, I placed its own parts back. Including its AGP no-name graphics card, and 256 SDRAM chip.

Moreover, here you can see some of the BIOS screens:

http://webfolio.sunnylandbaja.com/temp/bios/

I'll see ya later over the afternoon...

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[paparazi]

Given the age of the motherboard (I'm presuming it must be 4/5years old with the Intel 815 chipset) I would take a close look at the caps to see if you can see any bulging/corrosion.
The caps should be perfectly flat on top without any tarnishing, the tale tale marks are a slight distortion in the top of the cap and often the presence of yellow/brown staining (corrosion)
These caps can be changed very easily and only cost a few pence/cents each although you often have to buy them in packets of 5/10, observe polarity.
Martin


We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[cdlvj]

I believe also it is the CD_ROM Disk. Is it possible to swap the CD Rom Drive? Can you ftp or copy as cdogg has suggested?

 

[cdogg]

Repeat:
[blue]Have you tried copying the setup files to the hard drive and running it from there? Definitely try wiping all partitions and rebuilding the primary as TT4U suggested...[/blue]

FDISK /mbr is not enough sometimes. Deleting all partitions and recreating a primary logical partition should fully correct it.

 

[norty303]

I had a similar problem with a P3 a whle ago and it was due to the mobo not liking the CD-rom as a slave on the primary IDE channel. Have you tried moving the CD-rom to different locations e.g. Primary slave, Secondary master, secondary slave and seen if you get different results. Also I had a 2nd HD connected and this seemed to make a difference whether it would find the CD-rom regardless of how i set the boot sequence. All were jumpered correctly for their position at the time.

 

[cdogg]

norty, yeah it's a long thread . . . but JDL has already tried separating the devices.

He found for some reason that the hard drive would not work on the Primary IDE controller, but worked fine on the Secondary.

 

[norty303]

Sorry, I've read it all, just not today ;-) and it all came flooding back.... (who said tormented soul...?)

 

[javierdl]

Martin, I closely and carefully checked the mb and didn't see any signs of corrosion or similar. But I took a photo you can see here (620k)

http://webfolio.sunnylandbaja.com/temp/D815EPEA2.jpg

cdlvj, I just changed the CDrom for another one now.
cdogg suggested to use "xcopy" to copy the CD into the HD. This is what I am intending to attempt now. However, I guess my Win98 Startup floppy doesn't include such command
because when I typed "xcopy g:\*.* /h /a /e /k" while being in D:, it replies: Bad command or file name.
Oh nevermind! I found Rxcopy from:

http://chefax.fe.up.pt/mirrors/freedos/files/dos/xcopy/rxcopy/

Which is supposed to be more recent.
The only problem is my syntax
I tried "xcopy g:\*.* /h /a /e" and it only copied directories (no files). I also tried: "xcopy g:\ /h /a /e" with the same results
Can anyone tell me the magic syntax please?!

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com