STUPID computer (new motherboard) crashes on fresh format/install of XP SP1 during Windows loadup - HELP!!!

[Lifer]

MSI KTV4L (KT400), Crucial 512 PC2100 DDR, XP1700+ T-Bred B, SB Audigy, GF4 Ti4200, WD 100 GB 7200 (not SE), onboard LAN.

the only thing new is the MSI KTV4L motherboard.
everything else is old and tested to be working fine.

i just formatted the hard drive and installed xp pro SP1 and it loads up to the Windows XP floating windows logo for barely a second and then the screen goes blank, but the hard drive LED continues to blink.
the screen is blank for about half a minute while hd is blinking, the duration of windows loading i assume?
then i get a very quick blue screen and then it reboots itself and then the same thing happens.

rebooting into windows safe mode and I get some error about a failed redraw from the video card.
so i try and install the latest nvidia drivers, as well as a few other WHQL certified ones but no go.

then i try VIA hypherion drivers and thats even worse. the graphics get all garbled and it immediately locks up.

I tried moving the audigy to different PCI slots.... no help.

i cannot get into windows other than in SAFE MODE.

HELP!!!!!!

 

[Lifer]

🙁

 

[nebula]

First thing, take out any cards you don't need to boot up, looks like the Audigy. I had a similiar problem where the monitor would come on, then go off about the same place as you state. Now, this was with a diff. mobo and very old PCI video card, but maybe... What I ended up doing, hit F8 and select "Enable VGA mode". This just uses the default video driver, then see what happens.

Check the video options in the BIOS?? Try loading fail-safe defaults? I have the same video card but on the KT4 Ultra. If still nothing, flash BIOS, again nothing, then RMA. BTW, I always install the Hyperions before the nVidia drivers...

 

[Lifer]

removed Audigy. it lasted longer than before, but eventually screen goes blank and reboots.

enable VGA mode. same thing, except the system freezes.

Any other suggestions?

 

[nebula]

Load BIOS Fail-Safe defaults... LMK

 

[Lifer]

no option for fail/safe BIOS.
just default settings.
tried that, still crashes.

i also tried Win XP Pro (non-SP) and it actually gets into windows.
the moment i try to install hypherion drivers, the graphics gets all garbled and it freezes.
i boot to 'last known good config' to undo the hypherion, and go straight to nvidia's WHQL certified drivers, and then it crashes on windows load up.

bad AGP/northbridge?
looks like this one is going back to newegg 🙁

thanks for all your help nebula :beer:

 

[nebula]

I'd say you're right, something wrong with board. That board shouldn't be too much different than my Ultra and I've loaded XP slipstreamed with SP1, Hyperions, etc. all with no prob. You could take a look at MSI's Forums and see if there is another solution before you send it back. You never mentioned upgrading BIOS, I know a long shot but...

 

[Lifer]

the BIOS was already the latest version available at MSI's website, 1.8.

i've already generated an RMA number with newegg but will continue looking for solutions. i've noticed they had a few refurbs of KT4VL's there. maybe they're prone to problems?
i've had good luck with the KT3V line, but the KT4VL had onboard nic.

i went with MSI because i'm very familiar with their boards and they are usually very good and stable 🙁

 

[nebula]

I'm assuming you're getting a replacement from NE... But just to let you know, MWave has the KT4A Ultra for $75 + S/H

EDIT: I see you like the onboard LAN, technically the base Ultra version doesn't have it, but I just bought this board for a system build and was playing with it a little last night. I swear it had a LAN connector where the second USB connector is on my board in my system. Because the one from MWave comes with the D-Bracket which brings out the two onboard USB, I can see that maybe it does. I'm going home for lunch and I'll take a look at it. I thought I even mentally commented to myself, b/c I thought that was strange.