Windows XP Pro installation BSOD atapi.sys

[Nocturnal]

I'm trying to install WinXP Pro but everytime it gets to the screen where I have to press F8, it'll get to that screen and freeze or it'll blue screen with the same error message every time. IRQL less than equal and then at the bottom it says something regarding atapi.sys.

What could this be? Could it be a bad motherboard?

This is a Tyan MPX S2466 with dual processors on board. I've tried switching out the IDE cables, tried and tested the memory, it's all fine and dandy. I am thinking it's the motherboard but I'd like to get a second opinion.

 

[jamesbond007]

Maybe a bad CDROM/optical drive? Try swapping that out. Perhaps it cannot read over a scratch or a blemish on the disc.

Try setting the defaults back in the BIOS to see if it was anything that could be user-oriented that you may have changed.

 

[Nocturnal]

Tried both and nothing. If it's constantly blue screening with the atapi.sys error, is it a sure thing it may be something to do with the IDE part of the motherboard?

 

[jamesbond007]

Have you tried another OS? Perhaps try to see if an older version of Windows will install. Maybe you have a bad/corrupt disc, assuming it's a new copy? I've read a few threads here on AT about NewEgg having some problems with their discs from MS recently.

EDIT: Disconnect everything but the HDD and the CDROM/DVDROM. Is the HDD a PATA or SATA one? Onboard IDE controller I'm assuming? Try only one stick of RAM at a time, assuming it fails. Is the powersupply big enough? A bad PSU can cause a lot of wierd things!

 

[Smilin]

Check for bios updates including ones for your CDRom drive. If you are up to date then you've got a hardware issue for sure.