Windows Vista 64 - Isn't completing installation. Please help!

[coolcolin09]

I just received my new system today. After putting together all the hardware, I turned on the system to make sure it worked, and then I restarted the PC with Vista 64-bit on an external CD/DVD drive to install Vista. It started up, asked me for my serial number, etc, etc; then it began the installation. Next, during install, it needed to reboot; it did so successfully and continued installing. Then, Vista needed to restart again to continue with the installation; this time, however, the Vista loading screen came up, and the little loading bar stopped moving; froze if you will. I left it for about 10-15 minutes before becoming suspicious. I restarted my PC and it continued to happen over and over again. What could be the problem!?

P5Q Pro
WD 250GB HDD
Vista Home Premium 64-bit
CORSAIR 4GB 800MHz
E8400

I didn't mess with my BIOS or anything before installing Vista, so perhaps I needed to do something there first? Could my hard drive have failed, or could it have been set up wrong by me?

This is my first build so I'm pulling my hair out right now. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[lupi]

I've only done 1 vista install and it hung during one of the reboot cycles; I did a manual reboot though and it worked normally from there.

 

[coolcolin09]

Thanks lupi; at least I know someone has had the problem before. I did that multiple times last night and it didn't work. Does anyone else have anything? I'm pretty down right now.

 

[Rebel44]

I had similar problem few weeks ago when I tried to install Vista from external DVD drive - when I used internal (SATA) DVD drive it finished install without problem.

 

[coolcolin09]

Wow, thanks Rebel! I didn't order an internal drive because I though my external would do fine; I'll buy a cheap internal DVD drive from Best Buy and see if that. Thanks again, hopefully this works...

 

[coolcolin09]

Still isn't working ;/ I've tried taking out 2 out of the 4GB as well...and nothing. I'm reeally frustrated right now.