[Pro] unable to install windows xp on new computer

I just got a retail version of windows XP Pro and i'm unable to install it. first off for some reason the disk won't boot directly on computer start up. I have to run the install via dos. it begins to copy and verify files for setup but then it stops. the computer doesn't hang it just stops right around the pary where it's copyng/verifying the ntldr part.

here are my computer specs.

amd athlon 3300
ddr400 512mb
WD 250gb HD
ATI 9800xt
lanparty UT mobo
52x cd rom


any suggestions? i'm thinking I may need to reformat the harddrive as it seems the data lifeguard disk that came with the HD didn't format/partition it correctly.

Western Digital's tools are usually pretty good. It could be the MBR got screwed somehow. You can do a 'fixmbr' from a command prompt,but I would suggest you use WD's wipe tool and zero the drive. Then use the partition/format tool once again and start anew. Just be sure to choose the C drive as your boot drive and not another. May seem a nobrainer,but i've seen it happen before...

Also check your RAM. I had a similar problem with a bad module last month. Let it do the full POST on startup.

I was able to zero out the HD and then tried using the disk again to reformat/partion the harddrive again. It didn't work. the windows install said it was missing a swap file. when I use the disk to create a windows xp partition it does it awefully fast.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by optimusprime47

... WD 250gb HD ...

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Double check jumper settings.

Jumper settings should be fine, it's set to master.

Which one?
Western has two settings for Master,
And one for Cable Select.

I had it on cable select, I just removed the jumper completely to set it to single. and it didn't work.

Run the Western Digital diagnotic tool on the drive. See what it says.

I'm with the professor, my money is on bad RAM here. You can test the RAM without needing to boot into Windows. Either or both of these can be run from a floppy:

Memtest86

Windows Memory Diagnostic

would bad ram really give me an NTLDR is missing error? in the bios it looks fine and i've reseated it a few times. I'll check it though when I get home from work today

Quote:

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Originally Posted by optimusprime47

would bad ram really give me an NTLDR is missing error?...

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Yes.
If memory and/or memory expansion slot is defective/damaged/incomplete contact(s),
Data transfer to HDD would be corrupted.

I ran memtest in dos and the ram was fine and passed.

Now did you use both test? I have seen one come up with errors that for some reason the other missed.
Now if you have used both and the ram passed, then the hdd diagnostic test would be my next step.

I had a similar problam on a new motherboard a while back.
Eventually i did a bios upgrade and "bingo" the installation went like a dream.

I did run both tests and both passed, I will try to do a bios upgrade and see if that works.

I believe i've figured out what is wrong with the installation issues. It seems as though the harddrive I got is bad. i tried formating via win98 boot disk and it kept giving me a Insufficient memory error when it was at 7 percent completed. I then tried fdisk /mbr and after that still nothing when I hit both format C: and format C: /u

this is the only conclusion I can come to. also when I run the digital tools hard drive scan it always crashes less than half way.

Well if the hdd diagnostic tool is crashing, then I also would say the hdd is bad. Return it!

You could try changing the data cable first, especially if it's an IDE drive - faulty cables aren't that uncommon.

yeah I tried three different IDE cables, same results with each of them. I think i'm just going to return it and get another one.

also check the disc for scratches or dirt , clean and polish the underside of installation disc.

well I returned the HDD and got another. still the same problems. keeps stopping during xp install when it's copying/verifying ntldr

Go into the BIOS and make sure the PCI Bus master is enabled, both ide channels are enabled. Double check your manual for these. So mobo have one of them or 3 of them and others none.

Take a real close look at the cd, if fact clean it with 90+% alcohol. And after itis dry try it again.


Had a bad ide controller cause that problem a few years ago. It took a new mobo to fix the problem.

Power supply or power management conflicts?
It could be a problem with windows and the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL).

I can't remember the F key that allows you to change it, but I think you want to select:
Standard PC (non-ACPI)
to eliminate ACPI compliance issues.

What ProfessorU is referring to I believe,is when setup says to press F-6 if you need to install third party software for drive controller or such,you press F-5 instead and it will give you a scroll list to choose 'ACPI compliant' PC...

Scroll down to the 'box' here ...

Dude, mad props. Thank you. Excellent link.
Good point made on the page, if you want to use ACPI you should experiment with the ACPI configs first, but if you have to you can install without it and just resign to shutting the PC down yourself if you have to.