New PC - XP install keeps on cycling through setup

jerseybrewing

Junior Member
Dec 7, 2008
1
0
0
Hi all,
I never had an issue in the past with PC builds, but... this is my first build using PCI express/SATA and have spent 2 days trying to work this out. Read forums, tried different settings. When did building a PC revert back to more difficult! :)

Anyway, I am hoping someone can help me on this before I throw the PC out the window.

My new rig has the following, not sure what could be the issue so I will list it all:

- PSU Coolmax 700w
- CPU - Intel dual core 3.0
- DVD burner - HP SATA
- HDD - WD caviar SATA 320gb
- MB - Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
- Video card - Radeon 4850HD
- Ram- corsair xms2 ddr2 2x2gb 6400
- OS - Windows XP - slipstreamed with sp2 (after many trys with my original disc, found out about slipstreaming)
- I do not have a floppy drive, need a solution without one if possible

I have the components plugged in and in the following slots, not sure if it matters with SATA since my board has 6 SATA connectors in one area, 2 in the other. I am not sure what the distinction is between the 6 yellow and 2 purple ones are or if it matters.
- HDD SATA2_0
- DVD burner SATA2_1
They both show up in bios as "master" is that ok?


My issue is that I inserted the Windows XP slipstreamed disc I made and it went through setup, the hard drive shows up (although only shows 305gb free, not 320???).
It asks about how I want to partition, went with 1 partition, did not do the quick format, went the long route.

-XP examined discs (the first time, went through this several times deleting prior installs), installed files and got to the first reboot.

-WHen it rebooted, it used my cd as a boot again and started the windows XP (windows is starting up, then back to setup) install all over again rather than continuing on.

Raid/Ahci are disabled in bios
Native Mode is enabled

Did I screw up in my bios settings? Does it matter where I plug in the HDD or DVD burner?

Is my order of inserting install discs correct (if i ever get that far!):
- Windows XP
- WD hard drive CD
- MB driver CD

Many thanks in advance for any help
Cheers
John
 

mikeg

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
1,304
0
76
ok take out one stick of ram install the os then when windows install is done add the stick of ram you took out. XP will not install with 4 gigs of ram installed. Give it a try and let me know if that worked for you
Mike