Poroblems installing W2K Professional 1

[jscottd]

I'm attempting to install W2K on a Dell Dimesion L866r(P3 866/256 RAM /20G Maxtor).

It had Windows Me on it. I fdisked/formatted with a W98 boot disk and tried to boot from CD. I got through the beginning part of the installation up to the point where it says to hit enter to install W2K. I hit enter and the screen goes black for a couple of seconds and then I get the blue screen with the gray bar across the bottom with no text or anything on it. This screen looks like the rest of the installation screens(NOT the BSOD) sans text.And here she stays.

Next I think, maybe there is a compatibility issue and so I update the BIOS with no problems(to version A14).

Try again booting from W2K CDROM and get the exact same results. Also notice sticker on the front stating it is 'designed for W2K', so I don't think it is a compat. issue.

Next I get out the trusty W2K boot disks(floppies) and try from there. Same exact results.

I've loaded W2K an hundred times using the same procedure and never experienced a problem, so I'm kinda stumped.

The machine was doing strange things with Me on it - virus-like behavior. Would reboot spontaneously while scanning with AdAware or Norton AV CE. I figured formatting would get rid of any of those problems.

Any ideas on what is going on here?

 

[wolluf]

Bad hardware.

I'd look at RAM first (if > 1 stick use each on its own, if not, get a known good stick from elsewhere).

If no good, try disconnecting everything you can (or disabling in bios). Swap out graphics card for another if possible.

(also check cpu fan ok - no overheating).

 

[jscottd]

Ding ding ding! Wolluf gets a star.

I pulled one of the sticks of RAM out and it seems to be working now.

Thanks for the tip.