Asus A7N266-VM Problem

[ravana]

Ok this is the setup:

From Newegg:
AMD Athlon XP processor
A7N266-VM AA mobo
Kingston PC 2100 RAM
350W Allied power supply

Compgeeks:
WD 80 GB HDD (refurb)

Now this is what happens, whenever I try to install windows 2000, the memory dumps a few times, but in the end the installation is complete. So now I want to use the XP upgrade that I got from school to get XP on this machine.
First:
1. when the XP setup screen comes up in windows 2000, it has lines running through it, kinda looks like how it does on a laptop when the LCD goes bad.

From this I kinda figured, it's either the Motherboard or the RAM. Problem is I dont know which one it is exactly cuz I dont have an extra stick of PC 2100 RAM to use in this PC.

Is there a way for me to tell whether its a problem with the motherboard or the RAM?

Thanks in advance,
Ravana.

*EDIT*

I forgot to add this, I tried installing Red Hat & SuSe to make sure it wasnt stupid windows.

Red Hat 8.0:
Once you get past the test the CDs and its gonna load the anaconda (??) installer, it just hangs there

SuSe LiveEval 7.3:
kinda the same thing with SuSe, it hangs about the same spot.

 

[mechBgon]

Could be the (ahem) refurb hard drive too. For starters, download Data Lifeguard 10 from WD and do a full diagnostic on the drive.

Could be the CPU's running hot too. What's your cooling consist of? What temperature does the CPU report in the BIOS (should be low-40C area for that board)?

What is the rest of the system like, are you just using the onboard LAN, video and sound or do you have some other parts?The Allied (Deer) PSU's don't have a great reputation, and with just 190W of combined 3.3V + 5V power, it's got less useable power than many 300W units do, so if you have some extra drives and cards, it might not be enough, or it might not be regulating its output so great. As another information-gathering step, look in the BIOS and see what voltages you're getting.

I would also take the board out of the case to eliminate any possible variables there.

 

[ravana]

Error Code 01013 on the hard drive....Write Fault Error

 

[mechBgon]

Hmm, I can't find it on their list so I don't know. Sounds like RMA time. Sorry to hear you got a bum drive!

 

[pcmax]

A bad part from compgeeks, NEVER. Actually they are the devil. Good luck on the RMA.

 

[ravana]

Ok, I got another drive in the PC now and the same friggin problem with redhat!

So what is it now, RAM or Mobo or me!

Any clues anyone?

 

[mechBgon]

Try a different ATA cable, preferably an 80-pin flat one. Put the drive on one end, put the motherboard on the other, and leave the middle connector vacant.

 

[ravana]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Try a different ATA cable, preferably an 80-pin flat one. Put the drive on one end, put the motherboard on the other, and leave the middle connector vacant.

Did that, same thing happens

I think X crashes right about when it is ready to load! (when installation is starting up) :disgust:

 

[mechBgon]

Dasm, that's got to be frustrating You could try running Memtest86 and see how it likes your RAM.

 

[ravana]

runs fine on that too, 7 passes all fine!

 

[mechBgon]

How about running that WD utility on this other hard drive too (assuming it's a WD, otherwise use the equivalent utility from whatever manufacturer). Are you leaving the RAM at SPD timings? That would be a good idea. If you have any good name-brand PSUs you could try, you might as well try that too.