Can't get OS to install on new computer

[Ballistic223]

I have been trying to get everything from win 95 to win XP on the computer that I just built and none of them will make it as far as to boot the OS. Win95 will give me protection error (something about while initializing IOS) Win98 wont even make it to installing the files. WinXP will install the files and on the reboot it says something about detecting a problem and shutting down so that the computer is not damaged. It also says something about Harddrives and doing chkdsk /f. At first I thought it was the RAM bad (It also didnt work in my brothers computer either) I RMA the ram and they sent me new RAM.
Installed that and still have the same problem.


Does anyone have any ideas????

Here is the parts
Biostar m7ncg 400
Athlon XP 2000+ Retail with HSF
256 megs Kreton PC2700
40 gig Seagate
Phillips CD-RW
Sony floppy
Powmax case with 450W PS


This is getting very frustrating

Thanks for the

 

[PeteRoy]

I suggest you just do a format.

Clean operating system installations have less problems on formatted hard drives.

 

[Ballistic223]

I have formatted it MANY times. That is not the problem. I am thinking that the Mobo is bad.
I hope not the RMA people at newegg are not gonna be liking me

Well gotta go to work.

Could flashing the BIOS possibly help?

 

[FlameDeer]

Are you overclocking? Check in BIOS what is your FSB speed and your CPU temp.
Your FSB should be 133 MHz and CPU temp <60C if you not overclocking.
IF everything normal then possible your mobo is bad.

 

[Oyeve]

Disconnect all unnecessary parts from pc, just leave cd, HD and video and try installing. If it works, piece the rest back together one at a time. Also, set all bios settings to default before you start.

 

[Ballistic223]

Well here is a little update.

I have reset the BIOS to defaults ---- Didnt help

I have unhooked everything but the HD and CD --- Same

I have tried 2 different HD's (the Seagate and a 16 gig maxtor) ---- same prob with both

The CPU is running at 34-36 C (according to the BIOS) the fsb is set at 133 so it is not OC'd

I have noticed that when I am trying to install an OS the CDRom spins up and down
repeatedly. With it doing this and the message that XP gave me about unhooking any new
HD controllers or HD's and rebooting to see if that fixes it I am thinking that the onboard IDE contoller is flaky.

I am going to be RMAing the Motherboard I believe.


What should the CPU Vcore voltage be?? mine is running at 1.60-1.61V

 

[stevty2889]

You also might want to try another power supply, Powmax is pretty genaric and can cause all kinds of trouble.

 

[Oyeve]

Try, if you can, another cdrom drive, also check to make sure your cd is clean and not scratched.

 

[Lioconvoy]

Also check to make sure everything is seated properly... Might be a confict on the IDE chain. Try using 2 different IDE cables - or make sure you're not using the older style IDE cables, they don't have enough bandwidth. I had that problem before, swapping out to the newer IDE cables solved my issue.

 

[capricorn]

The memory and the power supply would be my first guesses. I had a problem with one system in that the memory appeared to be fine (even passed memtest86 tests), but would lock up whenever I tried to copy a large amount of small files, which happens during a system install. I was trying to make it a dual-boot system and Win98 installed fine, but Windows 2000 would not. It was driving me nuts. I removed one of the two memory DIMMs and the problem went away. Swapped that for a new DIMM and never had the problem since.

 

[Fern]

I suspect the powmax psu. I just got one about a week and it was faulty, drove me nuts trying to pinpoit the problem. Wouldn't hurt to run memtest86 though. I'd unhook everything that was unneccessary to cut back on power draw. If the ram passes, I'd try to find another psu to swap in.

 

[Ballistic223]

I have used 2 different DIMM's had the same problem. (Both were new Kreton PC2700)
I dont have another computer to run memtest86 on.
I tried different IDE cables and still had the same problem.
I also tried 2 different CDRoms still did the same thing.

With the error that WinXP gave me trying to install it. (Something about windows detecting a problem
and shutting down to avoid damage to the computer and stating that if I have installed any new hard controllers or hard disks to uninstall them and restart the computer) I am thinking that the onboard IDE controller was flaky.

I sent the motherboard back to have it checked and replaced if it is defective.
If they say that the mobo is good I guess that I will have to get another powersupply and try that.

 

[amdskip]

I would get a different power supply no matter what the outcome is. I don't understand why people run $10.00 power supplies hooked up to hundreds of dollars in equipment only to get pissed when the pos frys the hardware.

 

[Ballistic223]

What is a good powersupply that is not overly expensive?

 

[Fern]

Fortron and Sparkle are two I hear a lot peeps recommending. I'm looking at one of the Fortron 350watt to replace the powmax. It was about $30 at newegg

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Ballistic223
What is a good powersupply that is not overly expensive?

I'd highly recommend an Antec. A 350w Antec will do the job, unles you are getting a very expensive video card (I didn't see a video card listed in your specs.)

 

[Ballistic223]

For right now I am going to be using the integrated video (GeForce4 MX) But I will be upgrading the video card in the not to distant future. So how many watts would you all recommend? I am very limited in the amount of money that I can spend right now on stuff for the computer

Thanks for the help and input

 

[bamacre]

Antec 350w will be fine for any Geforce FX series or Radeon 9xxx series. Considering your specs, I assumed you weren't going to buy one of the newest cards (ATI x800 series or Nvidia 6800 series).

PSU's can be misleading. Off brands can be built cheaply and mistate their wattage. I know it would feel weird buying a 350w when you already have a 450w. I'd make sure your problem is the PSU before you go out and spend more money on one.

 

[Fern]

Hey Ballistic,

Here's link to a site that has a psu wattage calculator. Check off on ur components, and it'll tell u what you need.

link

 

[Ballistic223]

Thanks for the info guys. I am waiting on the mobo to be sent back or replace right now. If I have the same problem I will be buying a new PSU.