Computer hangs after XP install...

[vtjedi]

I just built this computer:

430W antec PS
512MB Kingston value pc2700
celeron D 2.4 533FSB
SOYO SY-P4RC350
80MB Western Digital cavier
Samsung 16X DVD-RW

I used the Western Digital program to write all 0's to the HD. Then I installed XP from CD. It gets to the point of restarting the computer after "Please wait while setup initializes your Windows XP Configuration", and it posts then the black windows pro screen comes up, then it says windows setup is restarting, then all I get is a blue screen(the default xp color screen) and a mouse cursor.

I have also tried using an old HD with 98 already on it and it boots up.

Another weird thing is that when I try to use a WIN98 boot disk(I have tried multiple ones) they all just hang on the cd-rom device driver screen.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[mechBgon]

If the Western Digital has its own IDE cable, then pull the jumper cap off of its jumper block. This sets it to Single Drive rather than Master or Slave, and corrects a lot of weird mystery hangs for people. Hope that's all it was

 

[skpeterson]

Did you ever get this figured out? I am having the identical problem, same hardware except P4 2.4 Prescott. I think it is a motherboard issue

 

[Cal166]

Took me a while to find this. hope this helps both of you.


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=885626

 

[Bolognious]

I am having the same problem as described above. Only difference is I am running a Maxtor 40gb hard drive. Maybe it has something to do with the value ram from Kingston? I have tried flashing the bios to no avail. Well I am going to go back to banging my head on the wall. Usually helps the thought process.

 

[Bolognious]

OK I just RMA'd the darn thing back to new egg. Stay away from this lame board. Still have a headache. Got a gigabyte board. MUCH more reliable.

 

[skpeterson]

I finally got XP to load. I had to write zero's to the full HDD. Did it with a Maxtor and a WD HDD. You can get the utility on their sites. Maxtor's is called Maxblast, WD is Data Lifeguard. Then let XP format it. I don't know why this worked, but it did on both drives.

But I do agree with Bolognious. I would stay away from this board. I RMA'ed it with Newegg and had the same problem with the second one. I only stuck with it because it was free after rebates. I tried to upgrade the BIOS on this Soyo to ward off problems with SP2 and it won't update! Anyone had that problem?

 

[skpeterson]

Bolognious


Were you successful in flashing the BIOS?

 

[Bolognious]

Yes I was successful. The command line given to you with the AMI Bios update program was confusing. Cant remember the exact steps involved, But I will get back to you on that.

 

[Bolognious]

I RMA'ed the board back to who I got it from. Not a big fan of onboard video myself. If you continue to have more problems, go with a Gigabyte board. Many people I know reccomend them, and also pay extra for boards if you can afford it. The extra price means extra security about 90% of the time. The Soyo board was supposed to be for a Christmas present build for my brother in law, but since I had to return the board and proccessor (had no way to test either, and didn't want to pay for it either) so I am waiting for the proccessor to come in. Good luck.