ASUS CUSL2/Cant install OS

[Guest]

I sent the following to Asus Support:

Recently, I purchased an ASUS CUSL2 motherboard. I
purchased this motherboard in Japan.

When attempting to install ANY OS -- Win 98, Win ME or
Win 2K Professional, the installation FAILS. For each
case, I have attempted MANY different hard disk
configurations/partitions.

My system configuration:

ASUS CUSL2 motherboard (no sound), BIOS VERSION: 1003
Pentium 3 800 running at 100 Mhz
3 x 128 MB pc 100, 100 Mhz ram
Elsa Erasor III TNT2 Graphics board, 32 mb
Soundblaster Live
HDD: IBM DTLA-307045, 46.1GB HDD -- running on the
PRIMARY IDE as MASTER.
CD ROM: Teac 532e -- running on the 2nd IDE as a
MASTER.
Single floppy disk drive on the flopply disk ide bus

The following describes the errors for each cases; in
all cases up until I changed the hard disk drive
interconnecting cable, the hard disk(s) are recognized
as "MODE 5" drives from the BIOS.:

Win 98 (english): I have attempted to install windows
98 from both FLOPPY and by setting the BIOS so that I
can directly boot from CD. For both cases,
installation from floppy or boot from CD, the hard
disk drive is SCANNED (scan disk), scan disk completes
without errors, and the install proceeds to a screen
where it states that windows is preparing to copy
files. THE INSTALLATION PROGRAM STOPs. If I reboot,
the same thing occurs.

Win 98 (japanese): Same as english.

Win Me (japanese): I have attempted to install windows
Me from both FLOPPY and by setting the BIOS so that I
can directly boot from CD. For both cases,
installation from floppy or boot from CD, the hard
disk drive is SCANNED (scan disk), scan disk completes
without errors, and the install proceeds to the screen
where normally it would begin the file copy process
and the monitor displays some random white spots on
the screen, the cursor changes to an hourglass, and
the install program hangs.


For Win2K: the install program begins COPYING files,
however, some files are NOT found on the source CD and
the install program is forced to STOP.

I first thought that this might be a BIOS problem,
therefore, I checked the ASUS website and downloaded
the previous BIOS version: 1002.

SAME PROBLEM OCCURED.

I thought that the error might be coming from the hard
disk drive -- the IBM DTLA-307045, 46.1GB HDD. I
spoke to the vendor from which I purchased the
motherboard, CPU, hard disk, and other parts. They
did not know why the error was occuring, but replaced
the hard disk drive.

THE SAME ERRORs occured.

I thought that the error might be coming from the hard
disk drive, perhaps it is the size, 46GB. Therefore,
I purchased another hard disk drive, a SEAGATE
ST330631A, 30.1 GB hard disk drive. I replace the IBM
drive with this seagate on the PRIMARY IDE channel as
MASTER.

THE SAME ERRORs occured.

At this point, I thought that perhaps the problem is
coming from the ULTRA ATA/100 interface. I SWAPPED
THE CABLE FOR AN OLDER VERSION OF A CABLE SO THAT THE
HARD DISK IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS A MODE 5 hard disk
drive but rather a MODE 2 hard disk drive.

I also tried to install using a much older IBM hard
disk drive of 10GB; this hard disk is an ULTRA DMA/33.


SAME PROBLEMs occured.

In checking into some web sites, I read that
sometimes, when installing an OS with a large hard
disk drive, the boot time virus detection could cause
problems, so I deactivated it.

SAME PROBLEMs occured.

I thought that the problem might be the CD-ROM drive

I brought ALL of the componenets to the VENDOR where I
purchased the parts and asked them to attempt to
install windows 98 Japanese.

They received the SAME ERRORs as I did.

At this point, I thought that it must be something
wrong with the motherboard. The VENDOR REPLACED THE
MOTHERBOARD.

I tried EVERYTHING ABOVE AGAIN.

THE SAME ERRORs occured AGAIN...

I have another CUSL2 motherboard (BIOS 1001___ forgot
the letter attached to this) and a Pentium III 733 mhz
CPU @ 133mhz with an IBM DTLA 307020 (20gb, MODE 4
drive, ULTRA ATA/DMA 66 drive), AOPEN 50x CD-ROM
drive. At first, we were using a TNT2 with 16mb of
RAM plugged into the AGP slot, now we are using the on
board graphics, and on this machine there have been
NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. I purchased the motherboard,
cpu, ram, cd-rom and hard disk drive in japan and
brought them to shanghai some months ago.

The primary difference between the machine in shangai
and the one here in japan is:
a. different BIOS version
b. hard disk drive is ULTRA ATA/66

I am VERY PUZZLED AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD
POSSIBLY Be; the install program simply appears to HANG or suspend.

WHAT SOULD I DO?!?!?!?!?!?!? PLEASE HELP.

PLEASE ADVISE

 

[RavenPrime]

Since the installation starts, it probably is not the motherboard.
Format your hard drive. Run scandisk in thorough mode. This will take a long time but will verify there are no problems with it. You might also run fdisk, delete all partitions, create new ones, and re-format your hard drive.

You did not mention if you tried a different CD-ROM drive.

I would suggest removing all componets--sound card,etc--leaving only the HD, floppy, CDROM, vid. card, memory, and processor. Use only one of the memory chips. Set the BIOS to the default settings.

Hope this helps.


James

 

[Guest]

James,
Thank you for your reply.
I tried TWO Cd-ROM drives:
1. Older TEAC 532e
2. brand new TEAC 540e (just purchased)

Your inputs are good; I will remove TWO DIMMs, the video card (using the on board video to boot) and the sound cards and see if it proceeds.

I have been reading about misc problems with the CUSL2 hanging during install/operation. Have you heard anything about this?

Again, thanks for your response.

--Tsunami69

 

[Crashman]

I had this problem with mine-I think I had the boot-sector virus protection turned on in BIOS or something. Anyway, something was set wrong in BIOS, when I figured it out I almost kicked myself, but try as I might I can't remember for sure if that's what it was.

Suicide is painless...........

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply.
I tried turning off the virus protection also with the same result.
If you recall what you did, I would appreciate it.
This install is driving me crazy...about to purchase a differnet motherboard, like an AOpen AX34Pro!!!!

 

[Crashman]

I wouldn't give up my board for any other-it is the best in the industry! I still can't place my finger on what I had wrong in BIOS though.
Anyway, before you give up, you have to realize that most of the guys in here use Athlons, not PIII's. So your best source for help is the forum at cusl2.com They have guys that know more about this board than even the engineers I think!

Suicide is painless...........

 

[RavenPrime]

I had no problems setting up my partner's system using the CUSL2. I think it is a terrific motherboard and it has been rock stable for him since I built it. Not one crash!
I therefore haven't done a lot of investigating on problems with it. I think I updated the BIOS to 1002.
I would also suggest going through every BIOS setting using the manual and make sure they are correct.

So what if I don't NEED 170fps. Your point is what? James