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XP installation problem - SATA HDD

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by GRACAR, 2007/02/28.

  1. 2007/02/28
    GRACAR

    GRACAR Inactive Thread Starter

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    :confused: Being only a PC novice the following problem has taken several days so far to find a remedy - without success.
    HELP PLEASE, BEFORE MY WIFE LEAVES ME

    I am trying to install XP SP2 (from a legit OEM cd)onto a Maxtor 300gb SATA 150 HDD.(which has been formatted using the MAXBLAST utility)
    New build PC:MoBo ASRock 775Dual-VSTA (Nthbrdge VIA PT880 Pro/Ultra Sthbrdge VIA VT8237A: 1gb DDR 400 RAM:AMI Legal BIOS 1.9:GF 7300LE PCIe Grphics Card
    Intel Celeron D 351 (3.2 GHz)
    Floppy Drive
    Asus DRW-1608P25 DVD

    All components have recently been in use or are new and have been checked (as far as I am able)

    I am unable to update the BIOS, as this MoBo only allows BIOS update via Windows platform.

    I have tried updating the VIA SATA driver with RAID_V430C (F6 during setup)

    But the same problem still occurs ie:-

    XP Setup STOPS/FREEZES at "Setup is loading files (Windows NT File System (NTFS))..."
    What's wrong!!

    All assistance welcome. If you can’t help, any suggestions for meals for one?
     
    GRACAR,
    #1
  2. 2007/02/28
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    GRACAR - Welcome to the Board :)

    First thought is your OEM install CD - some OEM CD's are specific to a particular set of hardware, e g an OEM CD from a computer manufacturer. Others are OK. Any idea what yours is?

    You formatted the drive using Maxblast - that should be OK provided that it has not installed a drive overlay which can be problematic.

    You have loaded the SATA drivers from a floppy when requested?
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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  4. 2007/02/28
    GRACAR

    GRACAR Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi Pete C

    Thanks for welcome

    The OEM CD is not a Manufacturers version, also I have tried to load a pukka XP pro disk with the same result:(

    Yes, the SATA drivers were loaded from Floppy when requested during that part of Setup.

    I have used Maxblast on a few occasions before without problems, also I don't have SATA capability on my other PC to enable a different Format (any ideas?
     
    GRACAR,
    #3
  5. 2007/03/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    In my experienc of SATA drives - I run 2 x + 1 x EIDE on my machine on Asus boards it is necessary to load the RAID drivers at F6 in addition to the SATA drivers - have you tried this?
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2007/03/02
    GRACAR

    GRACAR Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi Pete C

    Yes, I have tried loading both RAID and SATA drivers - same problem.

    I have tried booting XP from 6 floppies "“ same problem.

    I have now successfully installed XP from the OEM Disk onto a PATA HDD using other PC (non-SATA) re-connected the PATA HDD into new Build SATA PC as Primary Boot, with and without the SATA HDD connected.

    The BIOS sees both HDD’s correctly.

    In both instances the screen is blank (black) (and Ctrl+Alt+Del does not reboot, I therefore have to switch the PC off manually!).

    Could this be a MoBo malfunction??

    Are there any other checks I can make "“ before I exchange the MoBo??:mad:
     
    GRACAR,
    #5
  7. 2007/03/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    It is not possible to load XP to a drive in one PC and then switch that drive to another PC and expect it to work. On install XP makes a hardware fingerprint of the computer on which it is installed and will not recognise another hardware set on another computer.

    The solution is to make a Repair install of XP on the second computer as outlined here - you are effectively changing the motherboard .....

    How to replace the motherboard on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000

    Try this on the PATA drive - if it works fine then you need to check out the SATA drive using the manufacturer's disk diagnostics downloaded from their website. Double check all connections and re seat all cards & memory before proceeding.

    If it doesn't work then it is possible that the motherboard has a fault.
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2007/03/02
    GRACAR

    GRACAR Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi Pete

    Thanks for your link.

    I have tried it, but I do not get the prompt "To set up Windows now, press ENTER " as described in the ms support: I just get "Setup is inspecting your configuration" and then continues to the original frozen screen, as per the original problem!!

    Motherboard malfunction??
     
    GRACAR,
    #7
  9. 2007/03/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Sounds rather like a motherboard problem - I think an exchange is the next step.

    Meals for One :D :D
     
    PeteC,
    #8
  10. 2007/03/02
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Look at changing the configuration of the CD/DVD drive. The motherboard has 2 IDE controllers, if the CD/DVD is set to master on the primary IDE, try setting it as master on the secondary IDE or slave on either.
    On the system I am currently setting up I could not get the DVD burner to work correctly until I set it to master and used an 80 lead cable, not a 40 lead cable.

    Don't dismiss that it could be a compatibility problem with RAM, especially if you are using generic type. Run the diagnostics in my signature.
    The motherboard is capable of running either DDR or DDR2 RAM. You are using a single module(?), check if there is a special location for a single module (maybe DIMM 0, not DIMM1).

    Look in the BIOS settings for a setting/menu "load setup defaults" or similar, use that.

    Matt
     
    Last edited: 2007/03/02
    mattman,
    #9
  11. 2007/03/02
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    One or two other points.
    This is using the PATA drive? If the SATA drive was still connected, disconnect it and try again.

    The Asrock website does not seem to think specific SATA controller drivers are necessary
    You may need to set the BIOS to boot from SATA though.

    Are you using the latest version of Maxblast? The Maxtor diagnostic utilities are PowerMax.

    Matt
    PS VERY helpful link Pete :p :D
     
    Last edited: 2007/03/02
    mattman,
    #10
  12. 2007/03/04
    GRACAR

    GRACAR Inactive Thread Starter

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    No More Meals For One !!

    Hi Matt

    You're a Hero :D

    The Ram diagnostic found that the New Ram was DEAD.

    Everything appears to be working fine now (I borrowed some RAM from the other PC.)

    Many thanks to all you guys for the help, and I have certainly gained more knowledge and diagnostic downloads!
     
    GRACAR,
    #11
  13. 2007/03/04
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Phew, that's lucky. I thought...if the motherboard gets sent back and a few weeks later it comes back with a note attached that there was nothing wrong with it, GRACAR will not only be eating meals for one, he will be sharing those with Fido in the doghouse :eek: :D

    Good you found it.

    I'm off now to sign up for a marriage guidance forum. My first topic...RAM the marriage wrecker!

    Matt
     
    Last edited: 2007/03/05
    mattman,
    #12

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