Header checksum of file doesnt match computed checksum

[farsight87]

Hi All,

I have been trying to install Windows 8 64 bit retail version on my PC for the last 6 hours without success . After the 1st part of the install where you choose the disk and partition to install to, then it copies files etc, the PC does a reboot, which is normal for this part of the install. However, I let the boot sequence continue without selecting dvd of course, then it tries to boot from the hard drive but I get an error.

The header checksum for this file doesnt match the computed checksum.
File: \Windows\system32\winload.efi
Error Code: 0xc0000221

My system was previously running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit for years without any problems. This is not an upgrade, I am starting from a clean slate with a fresh wiped drive with no partitions.

System specs:

AMD FX-8150
Gigabyte GA-990FXA-D3
8GB DDR3 1333Mhz
XFX Radeon R9 270X
Samsung 840 120GB SSD (Trying to install fresh win8 to this)
Samsung 840 120GB SSD (Unplugged during this install for ease)
WD Black 1TB HDD (Unplugged during this install for ease)

I have tried both SSD's and also another Samsung 500GB HDD all with the same result.

I have tried the following:
- Win8 Install DVD - Automatic repair - fail
- Startup repair - fail
- Bootrec fixboot and fixmbr and BCDBoot commands successfully
- SFC /scannow gets to 100% but reports that its unable to do anything or something like that
- bootrec scanos shows 0 installations of windows (likely due to it not finishing one yet lol)
- diskpart list volumes shows the 4 partitions that the win 8 install creates, 100mb ntfs recovery i think, 100mb fat32, another one, then the large c: ntfs partition.

Im thinking that its more related to the motherboard and BIOS configurations but i cant be sure.

I have tried IDE and AHCI without success.

An interesting fact is that I cannot get the Win8 DVD to boot properly with the BIOS setting for the CD/DVD drive set to Auto or NON-EFI. I have to set it as EFI to be able to make it to the language and country selection page at the start of the install.
If its not selected, the dvd will start with the blue windows logo, then white loading circles appear beneath it, then it goes to a black/blank screen forever. Until I power off or reboot.

I have checked the gigabyte site and it says the GA-990FXA-D3 is Win8 and Win10 compatible.

I dont know what else to do. Any ideas?
Thanks.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

You could try installing it in Legacy configuration, rather than UEFI. When you boot off the install disk, hit the key that allows you to choose which drive to boot from, and pick the optical drive without EFI in the name.

Alternatively, try unplugging any unnecessary USB or other devices.

 

[farsight87]

You could try installing it in Legacy configuration, rather than UEFI. When you boot off the install disk, hit the key that allows you to choose which drive to boot from, and pick the optical drive without EFI in the name.

Alternatively, try unplugging any unnecessary USB or other devices.

There are no visible methods i can see of choosing legacy or uefi. The only reference i can see is in the bios where i can set the cd/dvd drive to boot in efi or non-efi mode. Of which, as i said in OP, only the efi option allows me to get to the installer.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

You should be able to get to the installer fine in non-EFI mode...

What did you use to make the disc? Or is it straight out of the retail package?

 

[farsight87]

You should be able to get to the installer fine in non-EFI mode...

What did you use to make the disc? Or is it straight out of the retail package?

It is the retail package, purchased and opened this morning. Contains 32 and 64 bit dvds and a product key.

32 bit throws a sad face blue screen error after the windows logo then restarts.
64 bit gets all the way to installer in efi mode selected for cd/dvd in bios. In non efi mode it goes to an endless black/blank screen after win logo, all as said in the opening post.

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

First I would check you are not overclocking the system as this could cause corruption of files when being copied

I would test your RAM for problems

The Win 7 & 8 DVD's contain a RAM Test program or download Memtest86 and burn to CD

If you have 2 or 4 ram modules try with 1 module, then swap with the others if that does not work
(to see if only one module is bad)

Try using a bootable Windows 8 USB memory stick built on a different PC
Microsoft have a program to transfer Windows 7 or 8 from DVD or ISO to USB
(in case DVD drive is faulty)

regards
Mike Barnes

 

[farsight87]

Hi

First I would check you are not overclocking the system as this could cause corruption of files when being copied

I would test your RAM for problems

The Win 7 & 8 DVD's contain a RAM Test program or download Memtest86 and burn to CD

If you have 2 or 4 ram modules try with 1 module, then swap with the others if that does not work
(to see if only one module is bad)

Try using a bootable Windows 8 USB memory stick built on a different PC
Microsoft have a program to transfer Windows 7 or 8 from DVD or ISO to USB
(in case DVD drive is faulty)

regards
Mike Barnes

Hi mike, thanks for the reply.
The system is/was not overclocked. I reset the bios several time to optimised defaults.

I switched out the corsair ram for 2x4(8)gb ddr3 1333mhz elixir ram i had in my other machine. Lo and behold, the 64bit dvd boot all the way to the installer on ahci mode with cd/dvd mode set non-efi (1st time it has worked).

After the initial reboot. It has made it to the blue win logo with the install proceeding as normal from there on.

I cant believe the corsair ram was my problem all along. Ill test them individually to see if 1 or more are dodgy.

Thanks so much for your help.