Still cant load OS....

[itwgas]

since i've been having problems with my AMD set up, i decided to change over to the Intel setup that i have collecting dust. I have the P5N32-SLI Deluxe with an Intel 631 P4 HT. at first boot i get a fatal error. so i reboot, and i get a "intel ucode error." with minimum research, i've come to the conclusion that i need a bios update for the board and that ucode error can be ignored for now. so i press "F1" to continue on with my install of the OS. during install, it loads the necessary files, but when i go to install the new OS, and as it starts to load, it freezes and there is a LOUD buzzing noise coming from the MB or HD. i mean, it just sits there and buzzes until i manually shut it down. i know this CPU has to be compatible with the MB. my HD is connected. so i dont know what is going on. i really dont want to upgrade my bios because i DO have the newest bios for the board, just not the newest Beta Bios. is there a link between the ucode error and something else? can it be a power issue?


MB: P5N32- SLI Deluxe
CPU: Intel P4 HT 631 3.0ghz
GPU: GeForce 7800gtx
PSU: OCZ 700
RAM: Corsair XMS 2x2048 6400
HD: Raptor 74gb
OS: XP Home

 

[mechBgon]

Take a look in there and see if you can nail down the buzzing noise. Possibly a cable touching a fan blade, or perhaps the centrifugal blowers provided by Asus have bushing chatter that kicks in after they've run a while? You could let the board idle for a while to see if it's bushing chatter.

 

[itwgas]

no, the buzzing has nothing to do with any wires. it has nothing to do with anything rubbing. i know for a fact. it only happens when i hit "Enter" during the OS install process. when the pc is loading the initial files, its quiet. but once i hit "enter" to continue with the install, it just starts to BUZZZZZZZZZZZ. really weird. now, i cant even load my OS that far without the pc freezing on me. the cpu and mb appear to be compatible per asus/support. im really confused. i cant update the bios, because bios file is too big for the 1.44mb floppy w/ start-up files loaded. i've also got the newest bios, other than the beta versions. man, this is killing me.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Bios update can be done by booting from 1 floppy, then swapping to another one with the bios and flash utility.

 

[robisbell]

Okay, from reading http://www.google.com/search?q...PU+ucode+loading+error on your same post on Cnet, I'd follow the recommendation given you ignored. Get a new BIOS or replace the mainboard.

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-60...4460&messageID=2707638

 

[itwgas]

bios is too big of file to load onto a bootable floppy. i've tried to load only the afudos and the 0502 bios, but i need the start up files too. if i make a startup disk, then the 0502 bios will not fit.

 

[robisbell]

how big is the bios file and the loader?

 

[mechBgon]

The P5N32-SLI Deluxe also features Asus's "EZ Flash" option: press ALT F2 at POST. Page 4-7 of the manual (section 4.1.4) covers the details on that approach.

 

[itwgas]

Bios 0502-

Total size: 1,048,576kb
Packed size: 641,418kb

Afudos-

48,473kb
22,428kb

both of those files plus start-up files do not fit. however, i created a CD boot disk using Caldera Dos. i have eliminated the "Intel CPU uCode Error" with the new bios reflash. Although, im still having issues installing my OS. As before, it starts the initial loading of files and then it asks me what to do with the files. well, i choose to set up windows. only this time, i dont get a buzzing noise. i still get a ticking noise though. i believe it is coming from the HD. anyways, when i hit "enter" it goes to the next screen and says that it is loading, but in fact, it is FROZEN!!! something is still not right. windows doesnt want to install.

 

[jackschmittusa]

itwgas

Again, you can boot with 1 floppy disk, remove the disk (while still booted), and insert a disk with the bios and flash utility on it, then execute the utility. You chould actually boot from 1 disk, swap disks and execute the utility, swap disks again and insert one with the bios file if you needed to.

Alternately, you can make a bootable cd using files from the boot floppy, and add the utility and bios. Nero makes it easy. Sometimes, I even get fancy, write a batch file to load the flash utility and new bios file into a ram drive, and write an autoexec.bat entry to launch the batch file and the utility with all of the required switches and parameters.

 

[itwgas]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
itwgas

Again, you can boot with 1 floppy disk, remove the disk (while still booted), and insert a disk with the bios and flash utility on it, then execute the utility. You chould actually boot from 1 disk, swap disks and execute the utility, swap disks again and insert one with the bios file if you needed to.

Alternately, you can make a bootable cd using files from the boot floppy, and add the utility and bios. Nero makes it easy. Sometimes, I even get fancy, write a batch file to load the flash utility and new bios file into a ram drive, and write an autoexec.bat entry to launch the batch file and the utility with all of the required switches and parameters.

i already flashed my bios using a bootable cd. im just still having issues with the OS install.

 

[robisbell]

okay, you may have to zero fill the drive and try reinstalling. you'll need the HDD Manufacturer CD to do that or you can use "The Ultimate Boot CD".

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: robisbell
okay, you may have to zero fill the drive and try reinstalling. you'll need the HDD Manufacturer CD to do that or you can use "The Ultimate Boot CD".

Zero filling the hard drive is unlikely to solve anything.

Remove all unnecessary componants and see if it will go, ie all but one stick of ram, any extra optical or hard drives, any pci cards. Also make sure the 4 pin connector is connected on the motherboard as well as the ATX

 

[jackschmittusa]

robisbell

What benefit do you suggest that "zero filling" the drive would produce? You mention this all of the time along with low level formatting when neither of these seem to offer any perceived value in the situations under discussion. You never explain what goes through your mind to lead you to suggest these things. Perhaps you could educate the rest of us?

 

[itwgas]

ok, i've got this issue pinpointed. i think that the problem lies within lack of power. my current psu only has 1-12v 4pin. im gonna take my other psu, which has a 12v 8 pin and use that. im sure thats what the issue is.

 

[itwgas]

OK, when all is said and done, i still CANT install OS. i've got a new HD and a new PSU. when the OS loads all of the files and i press "enter" to install new windows, it goes to a loading screen and says "please wait." ive waited and waited, but nothing. it just freezes at that point. i dont know what to do. there's still a little bit of clicking, when it freezes. seems to be the HD. suggestions please.

 

[mechBgon]

As quick fact-finding steps, can you try these three setting changes in your BIOS:

1) disable Enhanced Speedstep (EIST) in the BIOS > Advanced > CPU Configuration sub-menu (page 4-29 in the manual, for reference). Reason: I noticed a mention of an issue with the 631 in particular in another manufacturer's FAQs for their board. Maybe there's something odd about that particular CPU.

2) in the BIOS > Advanced > Chipset sub-menu, enable Memory Remap Feature if it's disabled.

3) if necessary, try removing one memory module during Windows installation.


Also, while it sounds strange, I recently read an Asus FAQ on one of their nVidia-based Socket775 boards where they specifically say that one set of memory slots is optomized for low-latency RAM, whereas the other set is not, so you may want to try different slots. I'll see if I can dredge that FAQ up again later tonight.

 

[erikistired]

do you have another cd/dvd drive to try?

 

[rasczak]

does your xp cd contain service pack 2? if not, you need to install the raid drivers since your raptor is a sata drive and won't be natively recognized by pre sp2 installation cd's. at least that's how i remember it.

to install the drivers. go to the motherboard manufacturer's website and download their sata drivers. load them onto a floppy and once you start the installation, you'll be prompted to hit f6 to load the scsi/raid drivers. usually the name of the fileshave to do with raid controller and storage controller. my experience as been install the raid controller first then the storage controller second. (don't know why but it usually works). once they are installed it will continue loading the rest of the os files and should start windows for you.

hopefully that helps. good luck.

 

[itwgas]

well, i've tried the suggestions given by mech, but its still freezing and the buzzing continues. i've contacted asus support. im sure they will be of no help either, as they always are. they have no customer support at all.

 

[bwatson283]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
robisbell

What benefit do you suggest that "zero filling" the drive would produce? You mention this all of the time along with low level formatting when neither of these seem to offer any perceived value in the situations under discussion. You never explain what goes through your mind to lead you to suggest these things. Perhaps you could educate the rest of us?

I have started to ignore Robisell because of reasons like these. He likes to suggest wiping the drives a lot.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Have you examined the mb for leaking caps (they can make noise)?

Is the ram set to the recommended voltage?

 

[itwgas]

RAM is set to default so i would suppose that it is. im going to re-check to see if my ram is compatible with this board. my ram was compatible with the premium version of this board, but it is not listed in the deluxe manual.

 

[Laputa]

Did you try another keyboard or checked the pins on the keyboard connector? Maybe try out an USB keyboard or just borrow one from a friend. Sounds like a short somewhere. A leaking cap is also possible. If that's the case, you will get a loud bang sometime down the road with the faulty cap blowing the cap off.