View Full Version : XP installation trouble
KJShearer
06-22-2002, 12:30 AM
I have a brand new ASUS P4B266 board and I am unable to install Window XP. The machine reboots during setup constantly, so I am never able to finish the XP setup. I have tried 3 different AGP video cards, think that might be the problem. 1 worked and allowed me to install XP, and 2 did not. The one that works is older than the other two (and isn't my video card). I want to get XP to work with my new video card installed. I have the most recent motherboard BIOS. The card I am using now is a ATI Radeon 8500. I have tried several methods to install XP, as an upgrade, an clean install, and on a new partition. Same problem every time. I have put the XP drivers for the video card on before install and that still didn't work. I have two sticks of 256 DDR RAM and have tried each individually to see if that is the problem and it isn't. Please offer any suggestions you may have.
Erase the hard drive, don't jsut reformat it, go get the diagnostics software from the manufacturer and use the zero fill utility to totally erase the drive. The install you video card an use the BIOS to set it to the minimums, the most conservative settings it allows. Also try to run the install with the barest minimum set up you can.
------------------
mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)
Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.
KJShearer
06-22-2002, 12:53 AM
what do you mean by most conservative bios settings?
If your BIOS has settings like "performance" or default, go with the default.
If it allows you to change certain settings for the AGP card, make sure that those settings are within the what the card recommends, and go with the low end on those recommedations.
Make sure your CPU is properly set and recognized by the BIOS...
Some of the symptoms you describe are similar to problems that show up when things are being overclocked...
------------------
mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)
Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.
KJShearer
06-23-2002, 07:22 PM
Here is the latest chapter in my XP troubles....
Since I attempted to install XP onto another partition, and had that fail on me, I was stuck with the option of booting to Me or going to XP setup everytime I start my PC. Today, for the hell of it, I decided to try and run the XP setup again. To my amazement, it worked!!! XP loaded fine. I was using XP for several hours with no problem. I restarted a few times to get back to Me, and I had no problem loading XP again. Then I had to shut down my PC, and an hour or so later when I turned it back on, I chose to boot XP, and as soon as the black XP Loading screen came up, my PC rebooted. Over and over again. I can't get into XP anymore. I am getting very frustrated here. I went from being so excited that XP started working, to being ready to throw my pc out the window. Any thoughts?
randyrhoads1981
06-23-2002, 11:08 PM
When you did make it into XP did you install the latest drivers for the card? When i set up this computer with XP it did that also on the 1st boot attempt..then after the reboot it went ahead, but gave me a error saying it was the video card that was unstable..after i installed updated drivers its fine. XP may be installing a "get you by" video driver or its not finding one stable enough to boot up...im still learning XP myself but im sure theres a way to boot into a safe mode like the others..maybe someone here can explain it..it may be the same as 98 and Me holding the F8 key before the loading screen appears..pick safe mode and install the new drivers then reboot and see if ya ok.
------------------
**How TO End Task A FREZZE**
ALT-CTRL-POWER BUTTON
KJShearer
06-23-2002, 11:27 PM
Won't let me boot into safe mode either.
sea69
06-23-2002, 11:59 PM
hi,
I would strongly advise you to do as mjc suggested and "O Fill" the HDD,
then I would boot to the winXP CD and reinstall. I have had problems installing winXP from within windows -( like in a dual boot scenario).
http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif
------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com
winXP Recovery Console (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q314058)
homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/index.html)
randyrhoads1981
06-24-2002, 12:00 AM
Its F5 to get into safe mood with XP as i found out later..sorry..i had to go looking myself. if you can see the bootscreen you should be able to load into safe mode..you have to get the F5 pressed and hold it.. before you see any bootscreens.
------------------
**How TO End Task A FREZZE**
ALT-CTRL-POWER BUTTON
KJShearer
06-29-2002, 10:51 PM
Tried a totally new install of everything...didn't work. Finally called the company where I bought my mobo, they said that they have also had trouble building XP machines with the type of memory I was using. They said that since i was using Micron 256 MB DDR PC2100 . CL=2.5 . Unbuffered . Non-parity . 2.5V . 32Meg x 64, XP has trouble with the 2.5 volt memory, and that is why I had no problem with Win Me. They said I needed to get memory that was CL=3 with a voltage of 2.8 or 3.5. I have looked all over, even at crucial, and all the memory for that mobo, ASUS P4B266, uses CL= 2.5. What am I supposed to do? Is it not DDR memory that I need? the stuff I got is 184 pin. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Try going into your BIOS and setting the CL to 3, but since the said the voltage needs to be a tad bit higher that may not help, but it is worth a shot.
------------------
mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)
Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.
Please Post Questions in the forums, not my email. Thanks
KJShearer
06-30-2002, 10:36 PM
I had a setting for SDRAM CAS Latency which was set at 2.5, but I could only change it to 2.
Are you using the JumperFree mode or setting frequencies with the DIP switches? It looks like it is possible to overclock the PCI and AGP buses, which could cause problems. Jumper settings (http://www.asus.com.tw/mb/socket478/p4b266/jumper.htm) I think AGP should be 66 MHz and PCI should be 33 MHz.
On a few systems, to get stability, I have had to move the memory bus speed down a little, then increase the multiplier to get the CPU back to its rated speed.
vBulletin v3.6.1, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.