W2K install problems

[Guest]

I recently recieved a STOP ERROR (Config_Initialization_Failed), after which I could no longer boot, not even in safe mode. In an attempt to solve this problem, I have done many things, including low level formating my hard drive and flashing the bios. Now, when I try to load the OS (W2K) I get random errors. On one attempt, while loading files, it will say various file are corrupt and it can not load them, on the next attempt, those files will be fine and another group (that were previously ok) will be reported as being corrupt. On yet another attempt to load the OS, it will copy all of the files ok, and then lock up while going through the set up process, and occasionaly hitting one of about 5 different stop errors. I am wondering if something could have happened to my hardware.
Is this a W2K problem?
Could I have a problem with my motherboard?
I have checked all of my hardware for 2000 compliance.
Thanks for any help you might offer.
jah

 

[Guest]

Umm a low level format? Did you mean high-level?

 

[Guest]

No, I meant a low level format. I wrote zeros to the disk in an attempt to start fresh. While installing the OS a high level format is performed after defining the partition size.

 

[Guest]

Actually that is not a low-level format. A low-level format is what the manufacturer does, it marsk the disk into cylinders and sectors and defines the placement on the disk. All you did is write over everything with 1's or 0's.

Try wiping out all partitions using FDISK, repartition and format using the FORMAT utility in DOS. Then try.

Run Scandisk and run a surface scan to check for disk errors, or go to your hard drive manufacturers site and look for a download called Disk Manager. Most hard drive sites have a version of this from Ontrack for free for use with thier hard drievs.

Check your RAM, could be a bad piece of RAM. Try removing one piece at a time and swapping it around.

 

[Guest]

Oh, sorry.
I did use Western Digital Lifegaurd Tools to write 0's to the disk. While it is doing that it check for bad sectors and all turned out fine there.
I was considering how to check my RAM, I only have 1 - 256Mg stick. I am hoping if I take it in somewhere they will be able to check it for me, and suggestions? (super store or mom & pop?)
Thanks,
jah

 

[NickM]

Although computer memory generally is a relatively reliable component, sometimes when bad it lead to crashes in form of locks up and blue screens. Probably your RAM is still under warranty. If this is the case, your retailer is the best place to go.

In order to check your suspicious RAM, I think that simple would be enough (what I did and that was enough for me):
1 – set the lowest settings in BIOS setup for RAM, and other components, no overclocking and see whether it helps;
or if you had a replacement RAM :
2 – replace the RAM with proved working one from another machine. And if there are no more crashes or errors, that’s it, finished.

There are also some diagnostic software, but I never have had needs for that to check RAM.
I used for general purpose that checks RAM also:
QAPLpro from <A HREF="http://www.diagsoft.com" target="_new">http://www.diagsoft.com</A> ,
PC Diagnosis Checkit Pro from <A HREF="http://www.touchstonesoftware.com" target="_new">http://www.touchstonesoftware.com</A> ,
Micro-Scope by <A HREF="http://www.micro2000.com " target="_new">http://www.micro2000.com </A>
Also it might be useful to know whether your computer meets minimum system requirements, Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), or WinNT32\CheckUpgradeOnly.
Some more details on your machine would be interesting to know: the brand, type and technical data on power supply, RAM, motherboard.

 

[Guest]

Hey NickM,
I had the RAM checked over the weekend and it is fine.
Thanks for the links, I'm going to see if I can get my
install disk checked today and if that is ok, then I quess
my next step would be to purchase one of the hardware
diagnostic tools.
I have checked all of my hardware to make sure it is 2000
compatible, here is a partial list:
Motherboard - ASUS A7V133
CPU - Athlon(C) 1.0 GHz
Memory - Micron PC133 256MB
PowerSupply - 300W (I'll have to check tonight for more
details)
Thanks for your help,
jah

 

[NickM]

No real help from me so far, sorry.

First of all: as for me, I don’t trust diagnostic software much when it comes to hardware problem. Despite I get used to run it on a regular basis from the time I used to work in a computer depot, replacement the parts and BIOS settings is the way to troubleshoot I like. Sometimes some DOS-mode software can’t recognize a hidden problem related to 32-bit process in a piece of hardware, and sometimes some Burn-in-Wizard or other processor and memory intensive Windows-based software show that my overclocked machine is OK. But after I open Photoshop and do some picture transforming, I get the blue screen of death or locks up all the time, until I put the clock ratio to low. For me that means that my real software recognized the problem, but the diagnostic tools.
What I’m trying to say in order you to understand me correctly: NO, don’t buy diagnostic software for real hardware job, unless you want to have pleasure to play with it. I don’t recommend to buy, but free downloads are OK.

About your motherboard and the rest: your spec looks fine to me. What about other hardware? Video card? Cooling fan (what’s the temperature reading by the way?) Do you have RAID controller by chance?

Have you tried to set lower settings for RAM in the BIOS?
I would try temporarily to reduce slightly gradually the speed of the memory, FSB with the processor as well, just to see whether it helps.

There’s an issue reported about BIOS reading and actual processor and memory speed on A7V133:
<A HREF="http://www.all-about-pc.de/english/Hardware/Motherboards/asus_a7v133/ASUSa7v133_install.asp" target="_new">http://www.all-about-pc.de/english/Hardware/Motherboards/asus_a7v133/ASUSa7v133_install.asp</A>

They think that ASUS knows about that. Also do the search from Excite or Google, just to see for some clue from other people. I've already seen posts from people complaining about their video card, USB mouse and other hardware interfering with Win2000 installation on your particular A7V133 model. Like this one:

<A HREF="http://www.tek-tips.com/gviewthread.cfm/lev2/67/lev3/70/pid/616/qid/137709" target="_new">http://www.tek-tips.com/gviewthread.cfm/lev2/67/lev3/70/pid/616/qid/137709</A>

Also Tom’s forum Search might help. Sorry, not much I can help.

 

[Guest]

Hey NickM,
First, thanks for the time you spent helping with my problem; while you may think you haven't done much, I have learned a lot.
Second, I apologize for wasting your time by having my memory checked at CompUSA. I don't know how they check memory but they checked it and said everything was fine. Last night my brother-in-law loaned me some new memory and every thing works fine.
Thanks again for your time and help,
jah
oh, CheckIt claims to have two diagnostic tools that will boot from a floppy:
CheckIt Professional Edition (Pro)
CheckIt Portable Edition (PE)