Cant install windows xp!!!!

[cisco111]

I had a had a winxp system, antec true430wt power sup, chainteck gforce fx 5700 , maxtor 120gb, sony dvd rw, zip250 floppy, 512mg crucial ballistix memory, abit nf7, athlonxp 2.2gb When I try to load or install winxp it goes through the post, then it formats and will try to load the sys files . THIS IS WHERE THE PROBLEM STARTS, I will get a message (windows cannot load the file_name press y to try again or b to skip file) after a few retrys it blue screens and I have to restart. This system has been working for at least 2 years then it suddenly started having random automatic reboots, then a little later looping reboots. So now I have purchased and installed a new motherboard and processor abit kv8, and athlon 64 3000+754pin. I was thinking that maybe I should build a new system just use the old perifs, and the old bird would be new. Wrong answer, the system loaded the first couple of times then it started to have bluescreens at startup in which a restart would fix. Then I got tired of the b,screens and reinstalled the os, now I am having the same problem the os will not install. I have done all that I can think of, swapped memory sticks, used different cd romdrives changed out the ribbon cables, removed all of the pci devices/usb. There is no problem with the graphics card or the power supply they are new and seems to be fine, also I have used two winxp disk just to make sure nothing was wrong with the disk. I am working on my A+ computer tech certificate, half way throught the book. Can anyone help, this problem has stumped me, I have put together at least 20 computers and have run into many problems that I have figured out on my own but this one is one for the pros.

 

[pscowboy]

With all the new stuff you added, plus swapping out ram & rom drives, this feels like a failing power supply. It's the only thing you haven't changed! They can seem to function okay, but be off on the different rail voltages. Get a new P/S. It won't be a waste if it makes your old one a spare. Spare p/s's are a good thing.

Also, buy SpinRite 6.0 and run it level 4 on your hard drive to rule that out as the culprit (or the problem).

 

[nUT_crusher]

just like cisco111, i too have a problem with installing winXP. this is what happens when i install the OS. I have the CD in the drive. I change the bios settings to boot from the CD drive.

XP then starts loading all the drivers and after sometime comes to a blue screen (Not the BSOD) where it asks some questions about where the OS needs to installed and so on and so forth. This is where I have a problem. Peculiar, it is.

On this screen my keyboard stops working completely. I mean the computer is still working. everything is good. No crashing and stuff. But the keyboard stops working abruptly.

Up until then the keyboard works fine but as soon as I'm asked to enter the information for the installation, the keyboard doesn't work. Peculiar, it is.

I don't know what to do. I tried doing it again and again and every time the keyboard stops working at that same point.

The system actually has WIN 98 installed and it is so badly corrupted I wanted to install XP. but like i said, the keybaord !!!. if i reset the installation and boot into 98 again, the keyboard seem to work.

Very peculiar.

Any assitance would be helpful.

 

[nUT_crusher]

*-BUMP-*

 

[riser]

Try using a PS2 keyboard.. did you enable USB in BIOS? It may have come by default disabled until Windows loads up looking for it.

 

[riser]

Restore defaults if you're OC'ing.

Try dropping down to 1 memory module since youprobably have 2 256mb sticks in dual channel.

If that doesn't work, I'd consider trying a new PSU (power supply).. I personally have never had good luck with Antec power supplies.

 

[KennyG]

Try using a PS2 keyboard.. did you enable USB in BIOS? It may have come by default disabled until Windows loads up looking for it.

That's good advice, I too have had issues where a USB keyboard has stopped working in between posting and actually loading the OS (ie it worked in BIOS, works in windows but not in between). Attching a usb to ps2 adapter corrected this.

As far as errors copying files over during windows install, it's more the likely your CD. I've run across that a couple times as well, I use a CD for awhile, leave it lying around it gets scratched up I get these errors, then burn a new one from my original (which stays put away so it doesn't get damaged). Hope this helps.

 

[cisco111]

Now I have new problems,I have added new memory and power supply. Kingston 512 hyperx and 430wt coolermaster. Now when I boot up I get the one beep post, then memory check is ok, it says mem clock speed is 400 then- THATS IT! It hangs there, I cant even get to the bios screen to change settings. Wow I have gone from bad to worse, maybe I should burn the system and start over new.

 

[pscowboy]

I hope you were carefully diligent in acquiring RAM that was particularly designed for your mobo. You can't just throw in anything. There are myriad timing issues between bridges and chipsets and memory circuits with all the mb's. Crucial is very good about matching up the right sticks with mobos!

You should be able to get into your BIOS before the memory check.

Keep hitting the magic key as soon as you turn on. If not, put back the old ram.

Once in, find the screen to go back to defaults for now. After you're up & running again, you can do a little tweaking.

Now that you've changed the ps, check the hard drive with SpinRite. It's a great utility to own. It's possible that the drive is starting to develop bad spots.

 

[cisco111]

Nope, cant get into the bios before the mem check. I restart I get one beep then the mem check then freeze. I even sometimes repeatedly hit the delete button when I restart and hold it down tried all different combinations of the keyboard still I get nothing. I just sit here looking at a screen with( mem check ok ddr clock speed 400) AND ALL THE REST OF THE BULL%$# THAT I DONT CARE TO TYPE. This is why computer techs are bald, they pull out all of thier hair. HMMM, When I installed the processor I did not use thermal paste because the cpu heatsink was factory new it had the default paste already on the heatsink, do you think this is the problem? should I add more.

 

[sturm]

Try only 1 stick of memory, if using two. Switch sticks to see if one is bad.
Try your old memory to see f it will work.
if that doesnt work try clearing the cmos..

 

[cisco111]

I feel like an Idiot, I found the problem, my cpu was not securely inserted into the socket. When I removed my heatsink the cpu came off with it. Well I reinstalled the cpu with thermal paste and everything works like a charm. Thanks for the help guyz.