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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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 OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Sun, 10 August 2003 09:07
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Hey guys,
This is going to be long and tedious, so if you can help...please read it all! I bought an AMD XP 2500+ the other day, along with an Abit NF7-S nForce2 motherboard. I also purchased an extra stick of generic PC2700 DDR RAM.
Of course since it was so radically different to my previous setup, Windows XP had a sad, no probs. I've done this a few times, so I whacked in my Windows XP Professional CD and booted the setup up.
I first tried in my Pioneer DVD-ROM to no avail, when copying the files to my HDD it said a file couldn't be found and subsequent efforts to make sure the CD was clean and try again were to no avail.
I thought...o...k, so I tried it in my LG CD-RW, this is when the other problems started where it would randomly say a file is corrupt or couldn't be found when loading the initial drivers required for setup. Starting to get frustrated.
I tried a backup copy of the XP CD, no change. Got another backup copy from my friend, no change. I burnt a backup of my own from my ISO, nada. All of these CD's work fine in my gf's computer and I used one of them to "repair" the XP installation on her computer as she got my old XP 1800+ and MSI KT3 Ultra motherboard.
At this stage I flashed the BIOS. No change. I cleared the CMOS, no change. I then grabbed my gf's Lite-On CD-RW, it got past the initialisation thing, to the point where it was copying the files to the HDD again, and died, same as originally.
I then tried the HDD in my gf's computer, works fine. At this stage I thought f**k it, loaded up a WinME boot disk, and loaded into DOS. I removed my Windows partition and created a FAT partition. I tried running the i386/winnt.exe file as I have done in the past to install Win2k, random file error when copying.
I then proceeded to copy all the files from the i386 directory to my HDD. I attempted to load winnt.exe, it "copied the files" fine, then after a reboot where it attempts to continue the installation it comes up with a random error loading one of the driver files.
REEEEALLY getting frustrated now, I tried installing Win2k Professional, gets through to the copying section and randomly dies saying it can't find a file. Removing the CD (its not being read at this stage) and re-inserting the CD causes the drive to spin up again in an attempt to find the file, but again, nothing.
I then went into BIOS and switched off the SATA support. Nothing. I then decided to try using the SATA via the special interface that comes with the motherboard. I tried it on the hard drive, and then tried both IDE slots for my burner. Same problems, either not loading the drivers properly or not copying the files properly.
I then proceeded to try the SATA on a spare HDD that was known to be working. No change. I tried connecting the SATA to my DVD-ROM and CD-RW and it got to the copying stage with same random file access problems. I had my 40GB Western Digital HDD in either IDE slot and no change.
I've also tried changing the IDE cables, I've been through the BIOS and couldn't find anything. I've tried running with either RAM module separately but it doesn't change the situation.
As an aside, I had the XP 2500+ installed in my MSI motherboard, and it worked perfectly.
I'm running out of ideas, my head hurts, I went home from work sick and thought I may as well do something productive with my time but all I am is aggravated and frustrated.
Can anyone suggest anything else I can try? I'm leaning towards it being a problem with the motherboard but I can't be certain and I don't wanna be charged money for fault finding on a motherboard when there is no problem.
I did a search on the web and couldn't find an instance of someone having the same problems as me. I'm going to phone the shop tomorrow and see what they say, but if any of you have anything you think may be of assistance in the mean-time let me know PLEASE.
Thanks,
Nathan
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Sun, 10 August 2003 09:23
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that sounds weird
really weird
you've done everyhting I can think of that may fix the problem.
I've got a mate who's a computer tech, I'll point him at this thread and see if he can help out, but probably not without fiddling with the box (which is hard from sydney :\)
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I supported Toymods
Location:
sydney.au
Registered:
August 2002
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Sun, 10 August 2003 23:39
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The other stick is a generic one that I was running dual-channel on my old MSI board. I thought that they may have been conflicting with each other so thats why I ran them individually.
My board is the top one, it has all the SATA and Firewire and LAN, but no onboard graphics. It is a version 2.0 board, and this is the BIOS I grabbed. I needed to flash it anyway because intially 2500+ CPU's are recognised as 3200+ and the system won't boot.
I'll try disabling all the onboard stuff when I get home. There isn't a huge number of jumpers on the board though as the BIOS is really comprehensive.
Theres still a couple of issues, as even though it now recognises as a 2500+ its still not at the calculated 2GHz it should be.
Ah well, I'll give it a go and if that doesn't work I'm going to harass the store to check it out and give me a new board today, I need it for uni!
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Location:
ballarat
Registered:
April 2003
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Sun, 10 August 2003 23:45
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i had simlar problem(s) installing windows on a Cyrix 300mhz MB a couple of years back. very random error that happened at different placing during the install. very inconsistant. we replaced eveything (hdd, graphics card, memory, case) and ended up being a problem with the motherboard, as soon as it was replaced, no wakkas.
try google groups http://www.google.com.au/grphp?q=&ie=UTF-8& ;oe=UTF-8&hl=en&meta=&tab=wg if i have any kind of problem, especially to do with computers/programming this is my first port of call
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Location:
Wollongong
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Sun, 10 August 2003 23:45
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Are you using an 80 wire IDE cable ?
I've had problems similar to yours when running 40 wire cables with new DVD-ROM drives.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Sun, 10 August 2003 23:51
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I've tried both and I've even tried using the both CD/DVD drives with the SATA so it shouldn't be the problem.
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Mon, 11 August 2003 01:27
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Have you tried checking out different RAM?
Sounds like either RAM or controller...
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I supported Toymods
Location:
South of Wollongong
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Mon, 11 August 2003 05:26
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I've asked my mate what he thought about your problem.
he says, same with other ppl here that it sounds like a RAM problem. Get a good known working stick, just one 1, take out all ya cards and try again.
He also said to perhaps try this DOS memory tester from Microsoft. its about 800k. Run it, get a floppy, tell it to make the floppy disk, then reboot.
Takes around 20 mins for the normal test. If u get one error, ya memory is stuffed, even if you dont get the error the next time. If it runs fine, and still wont boot after taking out all the cards let me know...
EDIT: forgot to link the memory tester program.... 
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/mtinst.exe
also....
http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/kbase.php?cate gories=1&model=6&faq_id=14
plug the ram into dimm3 then 2 then 1, if you only got one stick just try it in dimm 3. If you have 2 sticks, then use dimm 3 and 2. but try using just the 1 stick first up.
[Updated on: Mon, 11 August 2003 05:33]
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Mon, 11 August 2003 08:19
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That what I thought, but I tried them both individually first. One of them I knew was working as I had it running dual channel in my old motherboard.
The motherboard is in the shop now, I'm going to call them in 5 and we'll see what they say.
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Mon, 11 August 2003 08:53
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I don't know if you've managed to fix it already, but I think I've seen similar things before. Obviously not exactly your problem, but similar things. Each time the cause was the motherboard or memory, but for differing reasons - I see all kinds of weird messed up errors with installs at work. If you have an intermittant short on the motherboard, it will cause the pc to boot up fine 99% of the time, but any time you perform a resource-intensive task (like installing an operating system, for example) where most if not all areas of the motherboard are accessed, that's when it falls down.
There's a few other things that could cause it - the screws on the motherbaord for one. If you screw the motherboard into the case too tightly it can crush or tear the deck. Other times all it takes is a small bump with the screwdriver tip at just the wrong place to scour a track or crack a component.
Bottom line is I'd be looking at replacing the motherbaord. Most of the time if you just return the motherbaord to the shop and say it's broken they'll give you a replacement on the spot (at least the good ones will). Just tell them it boots up but can't install the OS (random errors), and that you swapped the motherboard with a friend with all your components and it worked fine. Afterall, that's pretty much what you have done by the sound of things.
I can't really think of much else that could be causing what you've described. If you have a multimeter it might be worthwhile checking the voltages on the powersupply. Also try running your ram in a friends pc if you haven't already - just remember to give it a good thrashing. Don't just check it boots and leave it at that - run a memory intensive game for a few hours, or just download one of those memory checking programs. Also try and find a friend with a board that supports your chip and try that out, but it really doesn't sound like a CPU problem.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
-J-
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Mon, 11 August 2003 10:32
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I spoke to the dude from the store this arvo. He said he'd been fiddling with it for the best part of half a day. He said he trialled using it in single channel, using the 3rd DIMM slot by itself and it worked. He said as soon as he put the other one in it fell over, so he thinks its a problem with the motherboard and i'll find out about mid-morning whats going on but he seems pretty certain its faulty.
He also said that he thinks he noticed a little chink or nick in my new CPU...I'm like, I don't remember that! I'll check it out, but it was working so maybe he's just seeing shit.
Thanks for all the replies guys, I will keep you posted! Knew I was bound to find a few computer guys here to help! I've got more replies on this thread than on any of the actual computer forums!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Tue, 12 August 2003 03:00
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The new stick of RAM was faulty in the end. Seems like an odd cause, but it works perfectly now...well, so far!
Installing XP now, all seems to be going well! Fingers crossed.
Thanks for all your help guys, I got way more responses from you than I did anywhere else!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
sydney.au
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Tue, 12 August 2003 03:04
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told you it was memory
good luck!!!
and you shold know toyota owners are the smarti-est
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Tue, 12 August 2003 03:10
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Hmmm, it had trouble during the installation again, methinks its cos I was using the DVD-ROM to read a burnt CD...fingers crossed cos I'm trying with the burner now.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Tue, 12 August 2003 06:53
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There was a minutest chip on the core of the CPU. I must have done it, but I can't remember or anything.
Its being relegated to my mum's computer, it works fine as long as you don't run it with 333MHz+ RAM...
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Tue, 12 August 2003 12:42
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Siiiick, its running only on 266MHz RAM at the moment because running 333MHz actually stops it from booting at all now...I love it!
Just ran 3DMark2001SE, and its slower than previously!
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Mon, 18 August 2003 13:04
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Yea I've got the same prob, bought some generic RAM for a mate and it started corrupting files, stupid RAM. You should try and make a warrenty claim on your CPU. Try to send it directly to the distributer, not through your local shop(unless they are willing to swap it...).
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: OT: Motherboard Problem (XP Install) - NOTE: HUGE
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Mon, 18 August 2003 13:06
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Yeah, replaced the other stick of RAM I bought about 3 months ago (which they did without a receipt) and all is good. Topped out my video card, so that explains the 3DMark scores.
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