Two windows cd's, two different hard drives

[brunell8]

Started having major problems with my computer this weekend. Initially thought it was the new memory I bought, but have since determined that is not the issue. Reformatted hard drive 1 with my original XP cd with service pack 1. Got the rig up and running, started downloading the updates (computer running VERY slow). Got a blue screen a couple of times. Booted from the cd again, numerous problems, thought maybe my cd was scrateched or whatever because it would skip some files. Could not get the updates to download correctly, blue screens, etc. Went and bought a new XP cd with SP2. Same problems. OK, maybe that hard drive is bad. Disconnected it, switched to my other drive, and still have the same problems. Listed below are some of the errors I came up with yesterday, just as a point of reference:

Files that would not install:

wowfaxui.dll
usrfaxa.dll
gdi32.dll

Then got this blue screen:

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

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Restarted and tried it again, got this error:

Syntax error in the .SIF file at line 9559

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Restarted and tried again, got this error:

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

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Restarted and tried again, got this error:

Syntax error in the .SIF file at line 9796

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Restarted and tried again, got this error:

Files that would not install:

dvdplay.exe
mdwmdmsp.dll
rio8drv.sys
spnike.dll
sprio800.dll
srgb.icm
streamci.dll
tosdvd.sys
tsbyuv.dll
vdmindvd.sys
fsvga.sys
paqsp.dll
usrcoina.dll
usrdtea.dll
usrlbva.dll
usrrtosa.dll
usrvoica.dll
msi.dll
cryptui.dll
dx8vb.dll
hhctrl.ocx
mswdat10.dll
shdoclc.dll

Then got a bsod - 0x0000008e

I am absolutely at my wit's end with this thing. Two XP cd's, one that's brand new, and two different hard drives, reformatted at least 10 times over the course of the weekend, and I simply cannot get Windows to install. Someone please help me!

 

[Horsepower]

So you started having problems AFTER the new memory which you have determined to be OK? I went through this once and chased my tail until I got NEW DIFFERENT brand memory <fwiw>

 

[brunell8]

The new memory I bought is a matching stick of the old memory that I've been running for 3+ years. Corsair ValueSelect VS512MB400 - one of Newegg's best sellers with great reviews. I don't think it's the memory - and if it is, how/why would that cause Windows to not load onto a hard drive?

 

[robisbell]

this is on that old boards right? pop out the new stick and check the voltage and then swap it for the new and check the voltage.

 

[brunell8]

How do I check the voltage? Is it indicated on the stick somewhere? Also, as I mentioned above, how would bad memory (possibly) stop Windows from loading certain files? The lists I gave above were only after I started writing them down - I tried installing Windows numerous times prior those, and each time it was a different list of files that wouldn't copy correctly.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

99% sure its a memory issue, either bad stick or voltage/speed isnt set correctly

 

[brunell8]

OK, so other than trying one stick at a time to (hopefully) figure that out, is there a bios setting that I can adjust that will read both memory sticks correctly? Or do I just stay with the old stick and return the new one to Newegg?

 

[robisbell]

you can use PC Wizard to check the voltages.
if you can, post the screen capture of that here, for each stick, thanks.

 

[brunell8]

But I can't get the system to even load Windows, so how am I supposed to download anything or run any tests?

 

[robisbell]

sorry, I msised that, where's my glasses. I'd say the motherboards bit it.

 

[brunell8]

OK, I'll ask again - how can the motherboard prevent something from being loaded onto the hard drive? During the boot process, the hard drive(s) are being seen, as is the dvd-rw, the memory is being read correctly as 1 gig - so why won't the cd load to the hard drive(s)?

 

[siskel77]

Everytime I have tried to install XP and received errors similar to that file "xxxxx.xxx" could not be found on the disk; it has turned out to be a memory problem. In each case I swapped out the memory and XP would install perfectly fine. I would suspect your memory could be defective or not compatible with the system. My advice would be to try only one stick of RAM and or use another stick of RAM from another PC. I would also check your MB for a list of compatible memory modules as well.

 

[brunell8]

The memory is compatible with the board. The new stick carries the same moniker as the old stick - VS512MB400. What I don't know is if Corsair changed the settings on them for whatever reason. The old stick is what came with the system when I bought it. I guess I'll try just the old one and see what happens. If it installs, the new stick will have to go back to Newegg, and I'll be stuck with only 512mb.

 

[robisbell]

the data on the cd has to pass through the chipset on the board, and the memory and the processor before going to the HDD. that's why I am saying it's the board, you've eliminated the memory you said as being suspect.

 

[brunell8]

Sounds logical, but would it be random files each time I try to install windows? It's not the same files each time. I think that's what is frustrating me the most. If it were the same files, it would be easier to pinpoint the problem.

I'm going to try just the old memory stick tonight, just to be sure. If that works, then I will know that the problem is the new memory. If it doesn't work, well...I guess I may have to look at a motherboard replacement, and I really don't want to pay for that right now.

 

[SilthDraeth]

Have you ran memtest86? I would run it first from a bootable cd image. Post back here with the results.

 

[brunell8]

I'm up and running!

Took out the new stick, and still had some problems initially. Had to rearrange the man cave, so the computer was down for about an hour. I stared at it (literally) for about 10 minutes, trying to see if I was missing a connection somewhere. Didn't see anything - so I tried it again, and it worked perfectly. Guess the new memory stick will have to go back to Newegg - either that or I buy another one, and get rid of the old one altogether. Want to thank everyone for their help and patience.

 

[robisbell]

you tried running it with the new one alone, right? thought it did the same thing, throwing errors and what not? I'd suggest you look at a newer board and ram.

 

[brunell8]

Right now, I'm running it with the old stick only. After I posted that previous message last night, it restarted on me less than a minute later. Right now, it seems to be running pretty stable.

 

[robisbell]

I think the boards telling you if you want new or more ram, you'll need a new board.

 

[brunell8]

Could be, but that doesn't make much sense. The board can hold 4GB.

 

[robisbell]

I know, but as they get older board can and tend to get picky about ram, and since the new iteration of the ram will not work, it's either find old used ram or get a new board and ram.

 

[brunell8]

I'll just stay with the 512 that I originally had and get a refund for the new ram. Appreciate all your help.

 

[robisbell]

well, good luck and if you need advice on a new board and ram, let me know.

 

[brunell8]

Thanks, I appreciate that, and I'll take you up on that if I decide to change the board out. I may give the new ram one more chance, without the old stick, to see if it works. If it does, then I will just purchase more of the new ram and get rid of the old one altogether.