Wierd problems installing WIN XP pro ... please help

[dud]

I posted this in another forum (since I thought I had a hardware problem) but most of the replies I received were totally worthless. Here goes:

OK, I am in the process of re-installing XP Professional on a system with an 80 Gig that previously had XP pro on it - but the HD had an "Unmountable Boot Volume" error that I could not recover from. Well, I wiped the drive clean and reformatted it. I then boot from the Win XP CD and the blue screen comes up with the message that it is loading all the required files. OK, so everything is fine, right? Well, the message "loading Microsoft Windows" comes up (as always) and then after about 10 seconds or so the screen goes black and the system goes into a coma forever. I try this again and again but the same thing happens. I then tried installing Win 2K pro and the same thing happens.

I know I am NOT unique and am hoping that at least some users have encountered and successfully conquered this prob. PLEASE let me know how. Please reply or send PM if you can help. Thanks ....

 

[Insidious]

at risk of offering up another 'worthless' reply, are you trying to use a SCSI or IDE Raid interface?

if so, try doing your install with the HD on a regular IDE channel, then change it over afterwards.

Are you sure your HD is healthy? try running the utility that is offered by the manufacturer of your HD and see what it says.

-Sid

this really does sound like a hardware (or maybe BIOS?) problem

 

[DTSS]

Dud, this is going to be a troubleshooting problem for you! Yes, its most likely a hardware issue. You are going to have to try to replace couple of things. Chances are its either you Harddrive or Memory that has gone bad. Try and replace the memory first w/ good known sticks of ram. IF you problem still exists, try a different Harddrive. I've had this same problem and replaced the memory, and problemed solved! I also have seen this many times when people are using cheap branded memory!

Daryl - DTSS

 

[dud]

Insidious, I am sorry if I offended you but I received advice to change my computer furniture and to replace ever piece of hardware I own. If these morons had even TRIED to provide sane advice I would not have called it worthless.

DTSS, I am fortunate in that I have an almost duplicate system that I can swap parts out of. Both systems have Abit KT7A non-raids, 256 crucial RAM, 80 gig HDs, etc.


thanks for your help ....

 

[DTSS]

Dud, i'm curious what have you done? I take it that you have swapped parts; but have you tried installing windows on a different harddrive on same machine! If not, thats what you need to do. Chances are you not going to be able to repair that drive...its needs to be replaced. Or, if its a Western Digitial drive...try installing the hardrive into your other machine a run this test. Win DLG. The Diagnostics utility allows you to test the drive, print results for last drive tested, repair errors found during the Test Drive option and write zeros to the drive (low-level format).

Daryl - DTSS

 

[dud]

DTSS, The HD is a Maxtor. I will try the drive in the second computer. All I have done so far is to swap IDE cables. This had no effect.

 

[Insidious]

...Insidious, I am sorry if I offended you but...

Is's fine dud, actually I was tickled because I have also been the reciepient of wonderous advise such as 'get a Dell'.... etc.

On your question, I knew I was only going to be of limited help and was just trying to warn ya.



-sid