Raptor + Abit IC7 + Windows XP not playing nice.

[Jeriko]

Well, I'm going on a full day of trying to get Windows XP to install on my WD Raptor with my new motherboard - the Abit IC7. The errors seem to be all over the map, making it very difficult to track down the source of the problem. First I thought it was the Windows CD because the installation was saying it couldn't find certain files (but then when I retried it found them just fine) - then XP seemed to have difficulties writing and compiling certain installation files - and before all that I had trouble just getting the drive reformatted.

I finally got to the Windows setup / installation screen (beyond the CD boot installation) and no matter how often I tried, it wouldn't finish installing.

My system is a:

2.8C P4
Abit IC7 + BIOS 1.3
Windows XP Home w/SP1
ATI Radeon 9800
WD Raptor
2x512 Mushkin Level2 PC3200

BTW - I tried pulling one of the DIMMS - that didn't solve it.

I'm at a loss. Could it be that such a new HD is already dying? Is there a good floppy utility you might suggest for determining failure? The reason I wonder about the HD is because I'd been having an issue with the supplied SATA power cable not securing tightly and it might have shifted loose during the first time I tried to format (it was loose when I rechecked it afterward - but it wasn't off). I replaced the SATA power cable with a standard molex (the Raptor can fit both) but had the same trouble. All that's left is to plug 'em both in - but somehow I think that's a bad idea. 😀 (What would happen, anyway?)

-J

 

[GnomeCop]

I replaced the SATA power cable with a standard molex (the Raptor can fit both) but had the same trouble. All that's left is to plug 'em both in - but somehow I think that's a bad idea. 😀 (What would happen, anyway?)

you're right, that would be bad. I'm not sure what would happen exactly, but I imagine it would be someting like if the Ghostbusters crossed the streams of their nuclear accelerators.

 

[Jeriko]

^ 😀 I had a similar thought. But hey, if the drive's going to die - why not let it blow up the Staypuff man on the way out? 😉

BTW - On topic, I should mention that I pulled everything but the video card and still no go.

-J

 

[BG4533]

You could try running WDs Data Lifeguard. Link. I am not sure if it works with SATA drives, but it says it works with all drives starting with "WD" which includes the Raptor. Also, you may want to try and download and run Memtest86 to check and make sure it isnt a memory problem. Also, many boards (don't know if this includes yours) have had a lot of problems with their onboard SATA controllers. You may want to look into that if you can.

Brian

 

[sharkeeper]

Try installing with a regular IDE drive to rule out any possible mainboard problems. If that works, OK you can presume your SATA drive/cable/controller/drivers are the culprit.

-DAK-

 

[Jeriko]

^ I only have one IDE drive and it's got my data on it. Won't XP want to reformat it before it installs?

-J

 

[sharkeeper]

If it has a recognisable file system, formatting is not required. However, if the data is of any value, ALWAYS back it up!

-DAK-

 

[Compddd]

motherboard is bad, I had the same problems putting a new system together. Returned my board and got a new one, same model as the last, everything worked just fine.

 

[Viper96720]

Does XP have drivers for the sata controller?

 

[Jeriko]

Originally posted by: Compddd
motherboard is bad, I had the same problems putting a new system together. Returned my board and got a new one, same model as the last, everything worked just fine.

Bingo. Just pulled the Abit and replaced it with the MSI I'd packaged up for return (didn't want to bother with the death BIOS issue even though I'd finally managed to fix it) - and Windows installed just fine.

Looks like the IC7 I got was faulty. How annoying! Luckily I bought it from Directron here in Houston - won't take long for a replacement.

Well, at least I know what the root of the problem is. Ya'll don't think the plug falling out of the Raptor as it was formatting will cause any long term damage, do you? And has anyone else noticed how loosely SATA cables appear to connect?

-J

 

[ozone13]

Originally posted by: Jeriko

Originally posted by: Compddd
motherboard is bad, I had the same problems putting a new system together. Returned my board and got a new one, same model as the last, everything worked just fine.

Bingo. Just pulled the Abit and replaced it with the MSI I'd packaged up for return (didn't want to bother with the death BIOS issue even though I'd finally managed to fix it) - and Windows installed just fine.

Looks like the IC7 I got was faulty. How annoying! Luckily I bought it from Directron here in Houston - won't take long for a replacement.

Well, at least I know what the root of the problem is. Ya'll don't think the plug falling out of the Raptor as it was formatting will cause any long term damage, do you? And has anyone else noticed how loosely SATA cables appear to connect?

-J

Before you rma anything.......what is your ram set to voltage-wise? There is currently an issue when installing the os (bsod's all over the place), for example, where Corsair ram is defaulted to 2.6 in the bios, but raising that to 2.7 or 2.8 immediately fixes the issue.

Also, make sure you're using the latest bios (ver 13).

 

[Jeriko]

^ I'd flashed the BIOS to 1.3 before installing anything.

And the RAM I'm using is Muskin Level II at the default voltage (2.6 I believe). It's there's an undervolt problem with high end, high speed RAM, then more than likely it will effect my Mushkin as it does the Corsair. Especially if others are reporting the same OS installation problem.

I'll give it a try before I RMA.

-J

 

[Jeriko]

Hey Ozone - thanks for the head's up. The voltage trick worked and Windows installed just fine. You saved me an RMA. 😀

Oddly - it was low memory voltage in the MSI BIOS updates that rendered the NEO's inoperable. They'd set the voltage to 2.5 - and the only way I managed to get mine running again was using old Crucial 2100 that would run at such a low voltage.

What is it with these 875's and memory voltage issues?

-J

 

[ozone13]

Originally posted by: Jeriko
Hey Ozone - thanks for the head's up. The voltage trick worked and Windows installed just fine. You saved me an RMA. 😀

Oddly - it was low memory voltage in the MSI BIOS updates that rendered the NEO's inoperable. They'd set the voltage to 2.5 - and the only way I managed to get mine running again was using old Crucial 2100 that would run at such a low voltage.

What is it with these 875's and memory voltage issues?

-J

You're welcome. I have my ic7-g board in the mail 😀 Can't wait to get it. Supposedly the newest abit bios improves memory performance. Hopefully the next one fixes this voltage issue.

 

[cptCuervo]

I was having the same problem with a Seagate SATA drive and the ABIT IC7-G. Every time try to install WinXP pro it would reboot the first time after the initial copy of setup files, and then it would not find the drive to boot off of. Is that the same issue? This whole Serial thing is new to me, so I feel like I'm fumbling around in the dark.

-cptCuervo

 

[ozone13]

Originally posted by: cptCuervo
I was having the same problem with a Seagate SATA drive and the ABIT IC7-G. Every time try to install WinXP pro it would reboot the first time after the initial copy of setup files, and then it would not find the drive to boot off of. Is that the same issue? This whole Serial thing is new to me, so I feel like I'm fumbling around in the dark.

-cptCuervo

Have you installed the drivers for the sata? When you first start booting off the winxp cd, you have to make sure you press "F6" when prompted and insert the drivers from a floppy disk.