"Setup is being restarted....."

Hello Everyone,

I'm hoping that someone will be able to help me out with my Windows problem (like every other person who uses Windows). On my desktop I was running Windows XP Professional with SP2. After many users and many program installations, I decided it was time to format and re-install XP; clean it up. So I backed up all of my files to separate HDD's and unplugged them (better safe then sorry). So I popped in the XP CD and booted from it. I chose to format the HDD and install XP. Everything was going wonderfully as usual, however, near the very end of the windows installation, I encountered a problem. With 9 minutes left in the installation (where it says its saving settings) my computer restarts. It shows the windows logo boot-up screen. However, instead of continuing on (where you normally create user-accounts and finish the installation), it gives me a message "setup is being restarted....." and then restarts the installation. From this point on it just keeps looping. I have unplugged all hardware except for essential things like my mouse, keyboard, 1 stick of ram and my CD ROM drive and tried again. I have tried both letting the loop go a couple times, as well as a fresh format and install. I have hit a road block and have no idea how to solve this problem. Has anyone seen something similar or know how to solve it?

Also, for whatever reason someone may ask, here are my basic computer specs:

Abit SG-80DC motherboard
Nvidia GeForce 7600 GS OC 512MB (AGP 8x) videocard
1024GB RAM
2 LiteOn DVD/CD readers/burners
USB mouse/keyboard
Coolmax 425.5W PSU
(no floppy drive, though i do have one i could use)

Thank you,
Regards,
Brendon

 

At this reboot are you seeing the message "Press any key to boot from CD� If not then try removing the CD from the drive just as the reboot starts. Perhaps your machine is booting from the CD at this point instead of from the hard drive. If so it probably means some other problem, possibly a hard drive configuration issue. Is it an IDE or SATA drive and are all jumper and bios settings correct to make it the boot hard drive?

 

When my computer restarts yes, it shows "Press any key to boot from CD ", however, as per usual, I do not hit any key to boot from CD after the installation completes (or at least, when it normally completes). As far as I know, I am pretty positive my HDD configuration is correct. It's a SATA HDD (I dont use RAID) and the jumper is correctly set as well as the bios. (Since i do not use a floppy drive, i have it set to boot from CD, then HDD then the third boot device is just disabled).

 

Only other thing I can think of is a driver conflict. Have you installed XP before with the exact same hardware as you have now?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/891892/en-us

 

Yup. However, I dont think it's a driver conflict. The installation gets past that part fine. It restarts at the end with 9 minutes left when its just saving (what i assume to be basic stuff like system time etc).

 

Just realised you said you did not have a floppy drive in the machine. How are you installing the SATA/Raid drivers at the beginning of setup? I have heard that some of the newer motherboards can load drivers all by themselves. Is your motherboard capable of this and is it enough for a Windows install? Have you installed this way to a SATA drive before?

 

I do not need to install any drivers. Whether my motherboard does this itself or not, I wouldn't haven't a clue. I just plugged in the HDD and away it went. Yes, I have installed windows to this (SATA) HDD before and I never had to install any drivers or anything for it.

Alright. After some more searching, my assumptions were correct. Its the blasted motherboard. I actually bought this computer from Tiger Direct. It was a nice deal. Came with a good case and a nice processor. However, right from the beginning i knew i didn't like the mobo. But i stuck with it anyway as i didnt want to spend more money. I actually ended up replacing the PSU, buying a new HDD and new ram (as i've experienced this problem before but was somehow able to get it to work -- not this time i guess) but nothing solved it (ironic isnt it -- i ended up spending more on other parts that were perfectly fine) .... So now its confirmed. Its the stupid motherboard. Apparently this Mother board doest seem to get along well with my processor (Intel Pentium D 840 3.20GHz OEM Processor). Well, im done with this piece of garbage. Im just replacing the **** MoBo.

Thanks for your help though. I appreciated you taking the time out to help.

Also. To anyone with the same problem. Check out these threads:

http://www.wimsbios.com/phpBB2/topic8733.html
http://forum.abit-usa.com/showthread.php?t=111436

 

Hi, eRott. Welcome to Windows BBS!

In page 4 of that 2nd link you just posted, there is a workaround described that reportedly worked. (Apparently, one must choose the HAL that will work with the mobo/CPU combo.)

• The Post (suggested workaround)

Did you try that? Might be worth a shot.

They also discuss possible thermal issues in that thread.

The Pentium D processors have some special requirements you might not know about. (See the links below.)

==========

• How to Recognize a Thermally Advantaged Chassis
  <http://www.intel.com/support/processors/pentium4/sb/CS-008537.htm>
• Thermal Management for the Boxed Intel® Pentium® Processor Extreme Edition and Intel® Pentium® D Processor in the 775-land Package
  <http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/216412.htm>
• Integration of the Boxed Intel® Pentium® Processor Extreme Edition and Intel® Pentium® D Processor (ATX)
  <http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/216411.htm>
  There is A LOT of information in the link above about putting things together (with pictures).
• Tested Motherboards List for Boxed Intel® Pentium® D Processors
  <http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/216415.htm>

*********RECOMMENDED THERMAL COMPOUND***********

"Arctic Silver" thermal thermal compound seems to have a very good reputation among hardware experts and the web site has detailed instructions.

• Arctic Silver Incorporated - Home
  <http://www.arcticsilver.com/>

 

Just something I would try...

Go into the BIOS settings and disable the non-system hardware, like audio, LAN, etc. If it works, you can start re-enabling them one at a time after Windows is running.

I think that so many hardware devices are being included on the motherboard, they can start having conflicts with added hardware (like your graphics card).
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I was thinking about using a "non-standard" CPU on my latest mobo from Abit. I checked the compatible CPU list at Abit and found it was not included. I chose to use a standard CPU on Abit's list.

Matt

 

@mailman

Thanks! Yes, I read the entire contents and am happy to report that is does infact work. I am writing this reply from my desktop. Mind you, I am still going to be purchasing a new MoBo, but at least I was able to get it working with the help of that thread until then. My motherboard just doesnt want to get along and play nice with my processor.

@mattman
I would have eventually tried that as i've read that elsewhere that disabling things like that helped others too, but I got it working first. Though I do not think it would have worked as I removed my video card, I dont use a separate sound card etc. But its a good tip. Thank you for taking your time to respond.

Thank you McTavish, mailman and mattman for responding and trying to help me fix this problem. But I guess its Google that comes through once again . (sorry if that sounded rude, but you get what i mean )

Thanks
Regards,
eRott

 

Thank you for feedback.

Watching some computers fly off my balcony has gone through my mind on occasions I keep persisting, I walk away and think about other avenues if I start to get tense (tense, ha-ha ) I haven't had many eventually beat me yet (touch wood).

At the moment I having exactly the same installation problems on two completely different computers using different installation disks, the only thing that seems to be in common is that they are both P4 processors. I have gotten one running and used some of the same techniques on the other (I think I'm close now).

ps detective work by mailman.

Matt