Can't Install WIN 98 SE & cant SOFTBOOT

[50cents]

Here are my system specs:
AMD K7-Tbird 900 mhz
MSI KT7-Pro2-A ('A' for ATA 100)
54x Cd-Rom
40 gig HDD MAXTOR model # 57040h4 Diamond 60 ATA
Leadtek GeForce2 32mb

note that EVERYTHING IS BRAND SPANKIN NEW!!! except for the floppy drive is i think 3-4 years old but still running fine.
Alright here is my problem:
I've figured out that all my hardware is fine, boots fine, goes through POST and verify's pool data, GREAT...but you know what...i can't boot to DOS. I have formatted my HDD using FDISK and I have 2 partitions making C:, D:, E:, the HDD. So, when I boot w/ CD-ROM support using WIN98SE as my bootdisk, I go through the setup (option #1), setup checks the PC for configuration. When I press enter for it to go ahead and check it for configuration when preparing for installation, it would hang. I thought it just took a long time to do it, so I waited but came back after 45 minutes and it would still be in the same place. One time I got a message that said , "runtime error r1003, integer divide by 0" - so what does that mean? But now it doesn't do that anymore, but still it just hangs after I press enter to let setup configure or check out my stuff.
BTW, my BIOS settings are at FAIL-SAFE!! everything is at the minimum in order to get this sucka working. I'm confident that all cables are placed correctly, and that the HDD and all other drives are being recognized by BIOS and POST.
I JUST NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM, OR A DEEPER HARDWARE PROBLEM THAT I AM NOT AWARE OF.
I have one more problem too: I CAN'T DO A SOFT BOOT (ctrl,alt,delete) I always have to restart using the restart button, AND EVERYTIME I EXIT BIOS, the computer will not RESTART and it will just hang. PLEASE any advice is appreciated because I need to narrow down my problems.
(although I think i'm almost there of getting rid of them if there is such a thing.) THANK YOU!!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

p.s.
I'm thinking that it might be the partitioning, but if it is, SHOULD I JUST install without PARTITIONS? I mean just using C:? Well. hmm let me know, ANYONE, ASAP!!

[50cents]

I forgot to add that i have a stick of 256 mb PC133 RAM, if that helps at all.

[Paleo Pete]

Q195750 (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q195/7/50.ASP) has some info that might help, and this Tech Net (http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/win95/technote/setup.asp) article pertains to win95 instead of 98 but might also help.

Search the MS Knowledge Database (http://search.microsoft.com/us/SearchMS25.asp) It's the slowest site I know of, I just went through 100 hits for "setup hangs before file copy" and that's enough for me...try different keywords, the MSKD is great, but it's tricky finding the keywords that get good results sometimes.

Edit: Hope the link works this time...

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So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[This message has been edited by Paleo Pete (edited 04-11-2001).]

[Randy_tx]

My first thought is to try a different IDE cable (I know it wont be a ATA100 cable, but right now you just wanna get going). It could be a bad cable.......I would try that before deleting partitions and starting over; however, if you start over, definately do it with ONE partiton. Good luck.

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I'm putting a new Fat32 partition in my Head Drive...hope it speeds me up.......

[50cents]

Thanks guys, I think I made it to the next level... but you know what, I have another problem...i'm gonna set a new topic...its another win98se issue.

[Randy_tx]

What did you do to get the system to work? .......we all like to know so we can be better able to help the next person!

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I'm putting a new Fat32 partition in my Head Drive...hope it speeds me up.......

[50cents]

You know you usually boot WIN98 from the CD-ROM after post...well I just did the setup through DOS instead of going through option #1(WINDOWS 98 SETUP USING CD-ROM) I went ahead and chose #2 (Start computer with CD-ROM SUPPORT)...formatted all my drives and partitions...
everything is FINE.....................
Except now I can't go through the actual windows booting...i'm going to set a new topic...please someone follow-up........ http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif