problems......but not sure where

[bromhex]

I set up a pc for my mom, ecs p4vmm2 5.0,256 ddr2100 ram, intel celeron 2.0ghz,wd 40gb harddrive(7200rpm)8mb buffer,...themb has on board video,lan,modem,sound. now my problem is this....try to load winxp and the system just halts, no response from mouse or keyboard. it was doing this before when i did manage to get xp installed. so i checked the hardrive, replaced with known good one and it still did it! changed power supply, still did not fix problem. changed ram with known working ram still no go. i am at wits end any info is greatly appreciated!!

[Sylvander]

See
"Your Computer Hangs or Stops Responding and a Black Screen Is Displayed During the Upgrade Procedure"
Here http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310064&Product=winxp#4

Usually when Windows Setup finds hardware it cannot handle and halts, you are expected to switch off the PC, then switch on and resume Setup and select "Safe Recovery" or something like it.
Setup then by-passes that item of hardware.
You are expected to repeat this for every item of hardware that causes this response.
An alternative method [and better I think] would be to disconnect all peripherals and adaptor cards except the keyboard, mouse and monitor [and those required for the installation] and then run Windows Setup.
Then when/if Windows is installed, connect one item and start your PC.
Repeat this until a problem is found with an item of hardware.
Disconnect all problem items and investigate the cause.
It's probably because the hardware is incompatible with XP.

Are you aware that XP refuses to work with new hardware after 30 days unless you contact Microsoft to get a new activation code?

[bromhex]

ok.... the board has everything on it so i can not disconnect anything.
i have even installed win 98se it does full install, but after an amount of time pc locks up? i did get winxp loaded b4, but again the pc locks up?

[Sylvander]

So you are saying that you believe XP is properly installed?
At what point does this lockup occur?
Does Startup complete?

Assuming it doesn't:
Go here http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308041&Product=winxp#3
to "Your Computer Stops Responding When You Try to Start Windows XP"

[ski]

Also, make sure the CPU's fan is running, the CPU's heatsink is properly mounted(both hold down clips are fully secured, and there are no gaps between the bottom of the heatsink and the CPU die), and that thermal compound was applied between the CPU and heatsink(or if the heatsink came with a thermal pad that it's in full contact with the CPU).

[kiosk]

Triple-check that your system isn't overclocked before trying to run windows setup, as it will usually fail in OCed configuations.

I've had the same problem with Win98Se setup. The problem was finally tracked down to a recently added PCI audio card that didn't handle overclocked PCI bus too well, destabilizing the entire system.

I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like that - but screen fonts had holes punched in them, with (pixel) chads everywhere. What a hideous case of memory errors...