Installing Vista Home x64 Premium Problem

MaestroX · 25 Mar 2008 at 20:48

Hello,

I've built a new PC over the last couple of days, here are the specs:

-Q6600 Quad Cire
-Asus Striker II Formula nForce 780i
-8 GBS or RAM (Got 2 installed after reading reports of possible vista install problems)
-Geforce 8500GT (Got a new 9800x2 ready to install once I get this running
-WD Raptor 150GB HD
-Samsung 750GB HD (not currently installed).

I'm attempting to install Vista for the first time and I'm running into a persistant problem.

When I install, everything seems to go fine, I input my serial code, say to install on the drive, it goes ahead and starts the install process. Once its done it restarts and then comes up with a black screen with white writing saying:

[...]windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt[...]

C:WINDOWS ROOT>\SYSTEM32\NTOSKRNL.EXE

Many thanks for your help.

GingerNinja1989 · 25 Mar 2008 at 20:50

Fdisk and start it again? Or use a different Windows disc?

swinnie · 25 Mar 2008 at 20:51

Is the installation media undamaged? Could be the disk is borked.

MaestroX · 25 Mar 2008 at 21:03

Fdisk and start it again? Or use a different Windows disc?

I've tried formatting and reinstalling multiple times. Also tried using my XP pro disc to see if it was Vista but same problem.

Thanks for the quick feedback, I'm tearing my hair out trying to figure this out.

point decay · 25 Mar 2008 at 21:03

is there more than one partition on the drive?, i had a similar issue where the installer decided to put a few files on a secondary partition making it fail to boot when completing the instal.

MaestroX · 25 Mar 2008 at 21:10

Here is where I'm unsure. (Please excuse my noviceness here). When installing, I made sure there was no partitions, (In the Vista install, it labels the drive as Drive 0, Partition 1) and there is nothing else listed. I click next and the installation begins.

Thanks for your help so far, glad so many ppl are online tonight

bledd · 25 Mar 2008 at 21:15

try it with less than 4gb in the system if you're using a non SP1 dvd

MaestroX · 25 Mar 2008 at 21:17

try it with less than 4gb in the system if you're using a non SP1 dvd

I've got one 2 Gbs stick in at the moment. So dont think its thats :s

point decay · 25 Mar 2008 at 21:27

have you tried the startup repair tool on the vista dvd?

MaestroX · 25 Mar 2008 at 21:53

Do you mean the one near the bottom of the install? I've tried it to no success.

I can't access the OS at all so can't browse the DVD.

point decay · 25 Mar 2008 at 22:00

i mean this one, on the vista dvd

MaestroX · 25 Mar 2008 at 22:01

Yeah tried using that but no luck. Tried running the Windows memory diagnostic tool aswell.

point decay · 25 Mar 2008 at 22:05

can you remember what it said when you tried the startup repair

MaestroX · 25 Mar 2008 at 22:08

It just said that it could not fix the problem. It gave me the option to search online for a solution but never came back with anything.

Thanks for your help

bledd · 25 Mar 2008 at 22:19

you've only got one hard drive connected yeah?

HarryPainful · 25 Mar 2008 at 22:22

fdisk /mbr

MaestroX · 25 Mar 2008 at 22:31

you've only got one hard drive connected yeah?

Yes, positive

fdisk /mbr

What method would you reccomend for doing this? So far I've just been using the format tool on the vista install.

MaestroX · 25 Mar 2008 at 22:45

Just an update on this, it seems there is a partition or somthing. When i use the browse button to search available storage space I have a C: and X: drive. I'm assuming this is a partition and possibly where my problems are being caused.

point decay · 25 Mar 2008 at 22:50

MaestroX said:
Just an update on this, it seems there is a partition or somthing. When i use the browse button to search available storage space I have a C: and X: drive. I'm assuming this is a partition and possibly where my problems are being caused.

you dont have a memory stick or external hd plugged in?, if not delete the x drive when installing, it could be like i said in my first post

GhostlyPea · 25 Mar 2008 at 22:52

X: drive will be a fake drive used when installing etc. This is perfectly normal form installations of windows to Norton ghost etc.(the drive isn't real, nor is it a partition, it's just "where it is installed from") Try using different cables if you have them spare, a different optical drive or using different ports on the mobo if there's any spare. Also try a DIFFERENT memory stick, not just the same one

- Pea0n