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Installing XP on a new rig...

N

NathanBWF

Golden Member
The XP setup process goes through the first stage where it formats the hard drive, copies the files, the reboots for the first time. When it comes time to boot from the hard drive, the computer just stalls. The hard drive is recognized in the BIOS and I've set the BIOS to boot from the CD first, then the hard drive. I'm thinking that the hard drive is a lemon but I thought I would check to see if anyone else had any recommendations/suggestions before I go and pick up another drive and try again...
 
This can happen for a variety of reasons.

- Test your memory. #1 reason for failed XP installs is memory problems. Your memory might not be bad, but it might be the wrong memory for you mobo, or the wrong timing (one reason why I recommend you go to Crucial.com or Corsair.com and use their online database to lookup the EXACT memory designed to work with your mobo). Download MEMTEST86+ and run it ALL NIGHT (at least 10 hours) to see if your memory is stable.

- In BIOS, load the default "Safe" setting for the BIOS settings. Use the safe settings for now until you have Windows installed and running properly. You can load the "Optimized" settings later.

- Check the RAM manufacturer's web page for a FAQ with recommended timing settings for your mobo. Corsair, for instance, has one here for their XMS memory: http://www.houseofhelp.com/v2/showthread.php?t=38150

- DO NOT overclock or use custom RAM timing (unless recommended by the RAM manufacture for your mobo) until you install Windows and have a stable system.

- If you're using any XP Install CD that doesn't have SP2 slipstreamed on it (SP1 or worse, original XP) then you're more likely to have install problems. Ideally you should use an XP installer CD slipstreamed with SP2 or AT LEAST SP1.

- Sometimes it's just a misbehaved generic Windows driver causing the problem. Disconnect ALL USB devices and pull ALL cards except the video card. Go into BIOS and disable all onboard devices (NIC, Sound, Firewire). Then try rebooting or re-installing. Once you get to the desktop you can enable and install each device ONE BY ONE using the manufacturer's driver.

- Did your motherboard come with drivers for the hard drive controller? If so you MUST install these drivers during the install process. If you didn't, Windows probably used it's own generic driver and in the case of your mobo it may not work right. If you have drivers for your onboard HDD controller, they must be copied to a FLOPPY and when the XP installer first starts you'll see a prompt to "Press F6 to install SCSI or other controller drivers". Press F6 and wait while it loads some files for several minutes. It will then prompt you for the floppy with the drivers on it.

Hope this helps...
 
System specs, please.

I am assuming that the system in question is not the one in your sig. And are you installing it with SP1/SP2/Neither?

 
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