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Help please!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tim
  • Start date Start date
T

Tim

Hello,

I wanted to reformat my computer running vista 64bit, so I started the process.

(For relevent information on my system specs, see the RIG link in my sig please)

I have the Upgrade version of Vista Ultimate 64-bit, so I was first forced to install XP Pro, which I did, and XP pro installed and booted to desktop fine.

I then popped in the vista 64 bit DVD, and it starts the install process.
I make it through choosing partition and reformatting it.
I then make it through the copy/unpacking of the files...
Then on the black screen with the green loading bar, I get a quick blue screen of death that doesn't stay up long enough for me to see what it reads, then the system reboots itself and just goes to that black screen with the green loading bar and does the same thing, and the problem just loops, occasionally going to the "windows failed to start properly, please choose: safe boot, last known good config" etc. If I choose one of those options, a new window pops up telling me that I have to restart the Vista installation from the bootable media. (which means I have to install XP, then vista... which I have done 3 times now with different hardware circumstances as you'll see next)
I started unplugging things from my computer to see if I could remedy this problem to no avail... took out the second video card, only had keyboard mouse and monitor plugged in, etc etc. No matter what I try I get the same results. XP Pro installs fine, and vista doesn't.

Any ideas as to the cause of this problem?

Help! 🙁


P.S. I decided to reformat because I installed SP1 and it seemed to trash my system.
*sigh*
 
Next time, you'll save time by not pre-installing XP before Vista. Do a Web search and you'll find the technique. Basically, you install Vista without a Key onto a bare hard drive, and then do an "Update" of Vista while it's running, installing Vista a second time using your Update Key.

No, that won't fix your problem.
 
Originally posted by: RebateMonger
No, that won't fix your problem.
Click to expand...

Then why post? J/K 🙂 Thanks for the tip. I know that will save me some time for the next time I want to reformat (after this original problem is solved at least)
 
1. Are you installing onto discs that are controlled by a raid controller or sata adapter not on the MB?
2. In your boot order, is a USB device ahead of the hard disc?

And like rebate monger said. You can get around that annoying XP install by installing Vista without a key. Then rerunning the installer from within Vista.
 
Originally posted by: Genx87
1. Are you installing onto discs that are controlled by a raid controller or sata adapter not on the MB?
Click to expand...

I have them all plugged into the MB's raid controller, which is currently seeing everything as RAID devices.... Should I turn the raid off on the Optical drive?

In your boot order, is a USB device ahead of the hard disc?
Click to expand...

No sir.
 
Yup, same problem as me. I get a quick blue screen and then the computer reboots. XP Pro installed fine but vista crashes.
 
Originally posted by: zylander
Yup, same problem as me. I get a quick blue screen and then the computer reboots. XP Pro installed fine but vista crashes.
Click to expand...

Check the link for My Rig in my sig below, lets see what hardware we have in common and maybe we can figure this out.

Do you think that it's our SATA Optical drives? I have a spare IDE drive or two laying around. I won't be able to try the re-install until next week sometime, and I'll let you know then how it turns out with an IDE optical drive.
 
Vista is more memory sensitive than xp was so if you've got a bad stick or are undervolted vista will not behave properly. Before you try to reinstall run memtest and see if you get any errors. Also unplug all hd's except for the one you're installing to.

I would even go as far to suggest that you wipe the master boot record off the drive you are installing to. I had to do this yesterday on my own system as it had become corrupted and was causing strangeness on my hd and everything on it. By doing so I was able to install sp1 right after I reinstalled ultimate x64 with no issues.
 
I had similar problems on the same Chipset with an OC'd system... I have the MSI 680i.

You may already be doing this but, try setting everything to stock speeds for the install process, but make sure you set the ram timings and voltages manually to what your Ram manufacturer (your case patriot) recommends. I went back and did this it installed in less then 25 mins loaded to desktop. No more BSOD's.

I was able to get it to work the first time despite similar BSOD's during install, but the system is so so much more stable after reinstalling. I have now OC'd everything and it works awsome. Vista is very picky about hardware settings in particular memory settings.
 
I also read that cutting back from 4gb of memory down to 2gb during install might help solve the issue. I will make everything as "vanilla" as possible when I try this again.

At this point I'm just very relieved and happy that it's more likley a Vista quirk than a hardware issue... I'd hate to be spending money on replacing hardware right now during a case build project. I'll update this post with the results when I get to try it again.
 
I have a BFG 680i, a BFG 8800gts 512mb and 4gb (2x 2gb) corsair ballistix.

I noticed ther other day that my memory timings were not being set to the proper defaults. Im going to set them manually and cut down to 2gb for the install. Ill try all this now and let you know what happens. Ill also try installing with an IDE optical drive later tonight.
 
Originally posted by: zylander
I noticed ther other day that my memory timings were not being set to the proper defaults. Im going to set them manually and cut down to 2gb for the install.
Click to expand...

Once you fix those things, check your memory voltages and make sure the dimm's aren't getting undervolted like mine were.
 
I kind of fixed the problem now. I pulled out one stick of ram and installed using 2gb of ram. I also manually set the timings to the proper factory deffaults. The board had the ram at 5-5-5-18 when it should be at 4-4-4-12. I got everything installed and its running perfectly fine now on just 2gb of ram. When I plug the other 2gb stick back in I start getting blue screens again. Im going to swap out the sticks and try running memtest, Ill also check the voltages too.
 
Originally posted by: zylander
I have a BFG 680i, a BFG 8800gts 512mb and 4gb (2x 2gb) corsair ballistix.

I noticed ther other day that my memory timings were not being set to the proper defaults. Im going to set them manually and cut down to 2gb for the install. Ill try all this now and let you know what happens. Ill also try installing with an IDE optical drive later tonight.
Click to expand...

Our hardware is somewhat similar. I am on an evga 680i, e8400, 2 evga 8800gts 512 and 4gb (4x1) patriot, and of course the SATA Lite-on optical. I'll be eagerly awaiting your test 🙂 And come to think about it, I only had 2GB the last time I reformatted my vista install, and I had no issues then.
 
Well I installed that patch and Vista is running fine now. Im In Vista right now with 4gb of ram and all of my hardware plugged in. Everything seems stable, I have to go to work now but Ill leave it on and see if it holds up while Im gone.

Check your timings, try this patch and see where you get. Good luck!
 
After reading that, I'm willing to bet that the 4gb is our culprit.

However, I must say... I installed with 2gb a few months back, and later on put in the 2gb more. I never had any blue screens until I went to reinstall vista. We'll see.
 
I've clean installed vista on 3 machines with 4gb of ram and none of them had an issue with it. I just did mine again yesterday to repair the mbr and install sp1 on a fresh install.
 
Sorry to bring this one back, just wanted to post that the issue has been resolved thanks to all of the information above... specifically installing with only 2gb of memory installed, then running the vista MS hotfix patch, and putting the last 2gb in. Thanks for all of your help everyone 🙂
 
Wasn't it found that the initial Vista 64bit release didn't support 4GB (or maybe a bit less) of ram properly? It would crash or BSOD if it saw that much. You have to get that patch that zylander is linking to.

You don't have to physically pull the ram out, you can go into the BIOS screen and turn off "memory hole mapping" or something to that effect, then install Vista, apply the patch, then go back into the BIOS and re-enable the setting.

At least, this is how I fixed my BSOD problem on Vista Ultimate 64bit. 32bit does not have this issue at all, because it can't address more than 4GB of ram total, anyway.. 😛
 
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