Help needed with new build

cimurray

cimurray

cimurray

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Joined
3 Feb 2008
Posts
136
I just bought a bundle from Overclockers and cannot get past the BSD to install the O/S. The components are Q8400, HD 4870, 4GB DDR2 Hyperx memory and GA-EP45 mobo, WD Caviar 640GB + Tagan 500W pSU. Sysyem boots perfectly into BIOS but when I try to install XP from the CD-ROM I keep getting the BSD just after it has loaded all the drivers but before it starts to copy files to the hard drive.
I have gone as far as flashing the BIOS to F8 (latest available) and slowed everything down to stock speeds but still get the same BSD. I have built many systems in my time so have half an idea of what to look out for but I am stumped with this - any ideas or suggestions would be most welcome.

Thanks
 
Enter the memory voltage and timings manually in the Bios.

As you mention in your post you have tried with one stick of memory. Have you tried all of the dimm slots with one stick, and then the same procedure with the other stick of ram?

If that fails then I would recommend you memtest the memory
 
Last edited:
CyZMyAssBaby said:
Enter the memory voltage and timings manually in the Bios.

If that fails then I would recommend you memtest the memory
Click to expand...

All of the mobo settings, including the memory, came pre-configured by Overclockers. They sell it as an overclocked bundle. So I expected just to plug it in and install the O/S but it hasn't quite worked out that way. I will run memtest overnight and see how that goes.
Thanks for the idea.
 
cimurray said:
Memtest ran overnight perfectly.

I am now wondering if there is an issue with the O/S itself - does XP SP1 support large memory modules? ie memory sticks over 1GB?
Click to expand...

I beleive it does. 32bit will see 3Gb of memory 64bit all 4Gbs. It will still see 1 & 2Gb modules Have you tried an alternative hard disk & Cd Rom in case either of the two are faulty? To ensure that your hardware is not faulty.

If neither are at fault then the alternative would be to contact OcUK techy guys, at least your in a position to confirm it is not your hardware at fault.

Have you tried each module slot independantly with both sticks? Elimination of faulty MB dimm slots?
 
CyZMyAssBaby said:
I beleive it does. 32bit will see 3Gb of memory 64bit all 4Gbs. It will still see 1 & 2Gb modules Have you tried an alternative hard disk & Cd Rom in case either of the two are faulty? To ensure that your hardware is not faulty.
QUOTE]

You are correct that XP SP1 can see all 4 GB of memory (well most of it!) and no its not the hard drive or CD-ROM. In fact it's not any of the hardware - it turns out to be a known issue of installing XP Professional SP1 on some modern hardware. I noticed that regardless of hardware changes I made every time the BSD gave the same message - and error on pci.sys. A quick Google on this turns up numerous instances of people with exactly the same problems. So now I have to work out how to either slipstream SP2 or SP3 into an installation disk of XP SP1 or shell out for a new Operating Syatem. A Microsoft product featuring built in obselesence? Surely not....
But thanks to those of you who replied with your suggestions.
Click to expand...
 
Quick update - I ended up slipstreaming XP SP3 and my original XP installation disc onto a new CD by buring an iso image. Completely new territiry for me and I had to do a bit of reading about it - but it worked. Whole installation went perfectly.
 
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