Fresh winxp install problems

[imported_quicksilver]

I'm having some trouble with my first build here. Here is the situation:

First off, system specs:
MSI K8n Neo2 plat
amd64 3500+ winchester core
Evga 6800gt (agp obviously)
1gb (512x2) Corsair XMS pc 3200
Seagate barricuda 200 gb sata hard drive
antec trueblue 480w psu
nec dual layer dvd-rw
Aopen cd-rw/dvd-rom

And here is the problem:
I pop in the windows xp pro w/sp2 boot disk to start install. load the sata drivers, go through the partition and format process (I've tried one big partition and dividing it in 2, and formating with both fat32 and NTFS). Windows runs its "pre-install" then reboots. System posts, then I get an "error loading operating system" message.

I've ran diagnostic on the hard drive using chdsk in dos, and seagate's diag tool. Bios is the most updated version (v1.4). checked the microsoft website found the error message, but it only talks about having that trouble with ibm hard drives. The only things I can think of being the problem are the sata drivers (I'm using the drivers MSI sent with their hard drive), faulty mobo (maybe the sata host?) All of my hardware is posting in the Bios, and I've checked all the settings in bios that I know to look for. I'm stumped. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[erifneerg]

hmmm, sound like you right about the sata problem

 

[ShadowBlade]

theres a chance the bios you flashed may be corrupted, but most likely sata drivers

 

[imported_quicksilver]

Windows detects my HD without installing the drivers, but I still get the same error message when I install without pressing f6 and installing the drivers.
I assume windows pro xp2 has sata drivers. Are the drivers that came with the mobo for the actual hd or for the sata controllers. Btw I've tried all 4 sata ports on my mobo.

 

[daniel49]

any chance of installing on ide channel for os then dealing with sata later or is that defeating your whole purpose

 

[imported_quicksilver]

What do you mean by installing it on an ide channel. Bios shows it on and ide channel, as it doesn't really have a sata channel. If you mean just letting windows auto-detect it, without installing the sata drivers, then I tried that. At this point I'd just like to get my system up, then worry about the rest later. I'm considering buying a WD raptor and trying that, and just using my seagate for media storage and whatnot.

 

[Slikkster]

I just looked at the manual, and there are several ways of configuring the SATA Device(s).

Which option did you choose? What number channel is it on? (SATA 1, 2, 3, 4?)

I'm specifically referring to the SATA Devices Configuration. There are two option fields to choose there. And what you choose dictates how the channels will be configured, obviously.

 

[imported_quicksilver]

Its on sata 1 currently, I'll have to take a look at the settings. I'll post with what i find out

 

[Slikkster]

Well, what did you find?

 

[imported_quicksilver]

The only settings for sata are enabled or disabled. they were all enabled. There are settings for the ide channels that the sata connectors are on, but the options are auto, and modes 0-5. I left it on auto.

 

[Slikkster]

From your manual:

The existing Windows IDE Parallel ATA driver (as well as the Serial ATA driver if SATA
is enabled) must be upgraded to use the NVIDIA IDE Parallel ATA driver (as well as the
NV Serial ATA driver if SATA is enabled).
Please refer Chapter 6 Installation of Driver and Utility, Driver Installation for detailed
installation description.

I'm wondering if that can be installed during XP's setup.

 

[imported_quicksilver]

Little update.....flashed my bios with the new v1.52 beta bios, it didn't help at all. Tried a regular maxtor ide HD, didnt help. Talked to MSI tech support, they seem to believe there is a problem with the ide chip on the mobo. Sent it back to Monarch computer.