Problems setting up new computer...

[opmike]

I got my new computer parts in the mail today, and all went well. All the parts when in fine, I got the computer to POST and all that jazz. Then came the problems. When I was in the middle of installing Windows XP Home Edition, I starting getting some errors saying that some files were missing (digiras.chm being the first and I forgot to write down the rest). I decided to skip that file and see if the rest would install and then I got another error three seconds later. So I decide to exit the Windows XP install and make sure that there is nothing on the disc that would cause some kind of disk read error.

Upon restarting the computer, I get the usual splash screen, the post screen, and then a blinking cursor in the the top left of the screen. I then get a message saying that NTLDR is missing, press CTRL-ALT-DLT to restart and the processs repeats. Any idea as to what the problems is? I am totally lost...

I forgot to add some info about my system.

The motherboard is an ASUS M2N-E
Install disk is Windows XP Home edition SP2
I have two 512 sticks of Corsair DDR2 memory (667)
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
Seagate Barracuda SATA 250 GB

 

[bamacre]

nvm (saw your edit)

First off I would download, burn, and run a bootable diagnostics cd for the hard drive to see if it has any errors.

 

[opmike]

How would I go about doing that? And as of now, I don't even have a functioning CD burner; just a DVD drive. I guess I could drive over to a friend's house; but hasn't anyone encountered a similar problem?

 

[morkman100]

http://www.tinyempire.com/shortnotes/files/ntldr_missing.htm

 

[opmike]

I have already read that site, but my problem is that I don't even have Window XP installed yet; so I don't need any help getting back to windows. I was getting errors every few seconds saying that this file is missing, and that file is missing and so forth during the install process on the blue screen with white text. The NTLDR thing came up AFTER I had quit out of the installation process and restarted. I guess I should have worded my question a bit better. But, what is causing all these errors duing installation; and would another XP CD fix them?

 

[morkman100]

It sounds like an issue with the BIOS and XP boot loader.

Maybe the BIOS is buggy with your motherboard (a new AM2 board). Try updating the BIOS with a boot floppy (or maybe USB drive). Also, for some reasobn I recall people having issues installing XP to a SATA drive without a special SATA driver (an issue with the XP installer). I don't have a SATA drive so this could be completely off.

good luck.

 

[vanvock]

Try clearing CMOS & installing with minimum hardware installed, 1 stick of RAM etc. If you have USB K/B & mouse try using adaptors to PS/2.

 

[opmike]

Alright, I tried the installation again; and the progress made it a bit farther. However, I still got a number of install errors (most of which were corrected by hitting enter to retry). Several of them I just skipped by pressing ESC since I am so pissed off right now. The install went on to 100% and the system rebooted. Upon reboot I saw the XP loading screen and then the welcome screen for first time installs. But now the system is just hanging (no HD or CD activity) with the words "Setup will compelete in 39 minutes" on the bottom left of my screen.

However the little loading animation at the bottom right is moving, and the text in the screen in still cycling. I will let this go on for about another 20-30 as I listen for some kind of activity. Then I will try to update my BIOS just as soon as I figure out a method to do so as the Asus website was less than clear about the process (perhaps I was looking at the wrong location).

I swear, this kind of crap is enough to bring a man to tears. And my whole reason for
getting a new system is that my previous one decided to give me the finger. Technology hates me...

***EDIT***
vanvock, I will try that just as soon as I see what this install is going to do.

 

[Talcite]

Yeah, update the bios. put in minimal RAM.

You can't skip files during installation and expect windows XP to boot rofl.