Problems installing Windows Vista x64 on new pc

[DWk]

So I just finished building my new computer and booted up, put the Windows Vista x64 DVD on the drive, and booted into Windows installation.

After selecting the languages, and clicking "Install Now", a few minutes after my monitor goes on standby, there's no access to the DVD, and nothing happens.

I've tried two different versions of Vista x64 (Business and Ultimate), and both installations give me the same problem, so I rule out a problem with the DVD.

The computer specs:
-ASUS P5K Deluxe/WiFi-AP Motherboard
-Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
-Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro HSF
-Thermaltake PurePower W0100RU 500W PSU
-VisionTek Radeon HD 4850 Video Card
-4x Crucial 2GB, 240-pin DDR2 PC2-5300 CT25664AA667
-Western Digital WD5000AAKS 500GB Caviar SATA 7200RPM 16MB Cache HDD
-Antec Three Hundred Gaming Case.

The BIOS recognizes everything correctly (CPU, RAM, HDD), and doesn't seem to give display any trouble.

One of the things I noticed is that the red LED light on the video card turns on when the monitor goes into standby, so I'm assuming the video card might be overheating. Once I turn off the computer, and touch the card, it's very hot.

I don't have much experience with these cards, so I'm unsure how hot it should be running without 3D strain.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[mpilchfamily]

Your problem is the PSU. The PSU doesn't offer enough amperage on the 12V rails to support your system. Not all 500W PSUs are equal. The Purepower is an older model that only offers about 24A on teh 12V rails. Newer 500W PSUs put 30A or more on the 12V rails. Your system needs about 28A to 30A to run. So get a nice PSU like Antec EA420 or the Corsair VX450.

 

[DWk]

Oh, that's very interesting... is there any process I can rule out other components before ordering a new PSU? I don't have a newer PSU to compare it to, but I see it could be that as the PSU specs say "AMD64 or P4/Prescott".

I live in Guatemala, so ordering a new PSU is expensive, especially if that doesn't seem to solve the problem hehe.

But, I'm more than willing to get long-term solutions as I buy a computer every few years, not updating constantly. If the problem is 100% the PSU's fault, then which ones would you recommend aside from the ones you mentioned? I cannot order from Newegg, so if you can suggest one available on Amazon (or eBay), it'd be great. I haven't finished installing all of the drives (at least 2 more SATA drives), a PCI TV Tuner, and I want to think if there's a need, I can install another drive and the PSU would hold good.

Thanks for your help, I'm very frustrated in this matter

 

[AmberClad]

nevermind

(I didn't read through the post closely enough)

 

[jonnyGURU]

Could be PSU. That is a very old design PSU. Only if it's brand new would I expect it to work because maybe an aged one wouldn't put out enough power on the +12. IIRC, that PSU only has about 24 or 25A on the combined +12V.

Usually a good 450W would work for a 4850, but that's not even a good 450W power supply.

Whether it's your problem or not, I would start by replacing it with a trustworthy unit. Once you have a solid PSU in there, troubleshooting will be easy IF the problem remains.

 

[DWk]

Excellent.... which PSUs would you recommend?

 

[jonnyGURU]

Like I said... A good 450W~550W would be enough.

Buy.com has a BFG 550W pretty cheap this week: http://www.buy.com/prod/bfg-te...loc/101/207955009.html

I'm sure others will chime in with plenty of other options.

 

[DWk]

How about this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371007

 

[jonnyGURU]

That's a good one too. A little louder with that 80MM fan, but if that doesn't bother you that's a killer price and no rebate.

 

[Denithor]

jonny obviously hasn't heard an EA500 in person or he wouldn't make such comments about noise levels. They're virtually silent. As in my video card fan makes more noise than my PSU.

4850 cards (especially with stock cooling) run hot, I mean burn your fingers hot. That's normal until you get into Windows and speed up the fan properly.

Now, before you go ordering parts that may or may not fix your problem, try some other stuff first. While your PSU is probably borderline for your system it at least boots it up and gets you into the Windows installation. I doubt there's a sudden huge demand during setup that would shut down a PSU like that. Do you have a different (lower power) video card you could try instead? Anything basic just to get graphics while installing. Also, pull anything unnecessary to the install (run 1x2GB memory instead of all 4, if you have multiple dvd/hdd unplug the extras, etc). Try again with minimal power draw.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: Denithor
jonny obviously hasn't heard an EA500 in person or he wouldn't make such comments about noise levels. They're virtually silent. As in my video card fan makes more noise than my PSU.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul...views&op=Story&reid=35

You obviously don't know me. I have heard an EA500 and it is VERY quiet for an 80MM. Safe to say more quiet than any other 80MM cooled fan. But there are more PSU's with bigger fans that are quieter.

Originally posted by: Denithor
While your PSU is probably borderline for your system it at least boots it up and gets you into the Windows installation.

Funnily enough, if you have a power meter and watch the power output at the wall during Windows install and/or Windows boot up, you'll see a HUGE increase in power usage for whatever reason. You actually have to try hard to duplicate that power demand once in Windows.

 

[DWk]

Here's a video of what's happening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaIMFloOIh4

Yes, I have a shaky hand, and yes my camera sucks hehe... but it gets the point across.

Edit - monitor goes off at 6:34

 

[jonnyGURU]

STAND STILL DAMMIT!

:laugh:

Ok.. That's hanging for quite a while. That would actually think that there's a driver or something trying to load that's hanging the system.

Let me ask you this... is the hard drive plugged into a RED SATA port or a BLACK SATA port?

 

[chess9]

I've been reading more than I ever wanted to know about PSUs and I'd agree it's probably the power supply for two reasons: 1. If it ever did put out 500 watts, which I doubt, it 2. Isn't putting out 500 watts now because the capacitors, resistors, and other parts age gracelessly, and power drops off with current drops.

Get a new power supply. For $100 you can buy a new one from Ultrauber on the ForSale forum below. 600 watts with power to spare for that next upgrade.

-Robert

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: Denithor
jonny obviously hasn't heard an EA500 in person or he wouldn't make such comments about noise levels. They're virtually silent. As in my video card fan makes more noise than my PSU.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul...views&op=Story&reid=35

You obviously don't know me. I have heard an EA500 and it is VERY quiet for an 80MM. Safe to say more quiet than any other 80MM cooled fan. But there are more PSU's with bigger fans that are quieter.

I got owned. Sorry bout that, didn't notice you were the Power Supplies Moderator and would of course be familiar with the most popular models out there. But you will admit, it's a very quiet PSU (even if it does have an 80mm fan).

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: Denithor
While your PSU is probably borderline for your system it at least boots it up and gets you into the Windows installation.

Funnily enough, if you have a power meter and watch the power output at the wall during Windows install and/or Windows boot up, you'll see a HUGE increase in power usage for whatever reason. You actually have to try hard to duplicate that power demand once in Windows.

Wow, now that phenomenon I had no idea about. My suggestion to try installing with a very low power video card would then make sense if he cannot get access to a better PSU.

 

[DWk]

Thanks for the info.... unfortunately I don't have access to any low power video card... I basically upgraded from my AGP mobo and don't have anything PCI express. If anything I would need to buy one for troubleshooting

Regarding in which connector I plugged it, I can't really remember and I'm at work right now so can't check, but will do as soon as possible. I'm trying to borrow another video card from someone else to test it, but doubt it'll consume less power

Anything else I can try in the meantime?

Thanks for your help!

 

[chess9]

Take out three sticks of ram, unplug all fans and lights and the floppy if you have one. If you have another hard drive attached, disconnect it.

You might only be a few watts short of installation.

-Robert

 

[DWk]

Actually, the video is precisely of that... I have nothing plugged but the essentials

 

[chess9]

I think you will have to buy a power supply, mate. Save the old one just in case....

-Robert

 

[chess9]

One last idea.

Put the computer in a very cold room for an hour. Blow fans directly on the PS. I'd say if you can keep the PS temp low, you might eke out a few extra watts. You are in a hot climate, right?

-Robert

 

[DWk]

Oh yea... the only reason why I'm not tripping about buying another power supply is because the one in my old computer died... so I've had no desktop for about a month now (my good 'ole Thermaltake finally died).

The other video card I will borrow (on Monday) is a 7600 from EVGA I believe. How is that one for power consumption?

 

[jonnyGURU]

I'm still thinking you need to change what connector you have the HDD plugged into.

Think about it.

That board has two SATA controllers. One controls the black connectors and one controls the red connectors.

You're booting off the Vista DVD and where is it hanging? At the part where it's supposed to be writing a bunch of stuff to the HDD. If it can't find the drive, it can't write to it and it'll hang.

If that's not it... yeah... try another PSU.

 

[DWk]

Roger, will try that as well

VisionTek support comments on the red light

"It is a protected mode to keep it from overheating".

 

[chess9]

Jonny may be on to something. You might have a bad rail. Switch SATA power cords; and make sure the HD is working properly. Also, is the fan working fine on the 4850? It shouldn't overheat that quickly. Maybe 30 minutes, but just in the early stages of an install? Is the 4850 a new retail card? Have you tried it on another computer?

-Robert

 

[DWk]

No, I haven't tried it in another computer, yes it's a new retail card, and I do believe the fan does work, although I haven't precisely checked (will check again once I'm @ home).

I'll definitely look into testing it in another computer, although I have none to do it

Everything is basically brand new, but will take a look at that as well