volsnap.sys error on fresh install

weeble

weeble

weeble

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Hi guys,

Have been having a nightmare building this system, and thought putting vista on would sort it out....but no.

Lost the mobo driver CD during the 2 month break I had from building this (Vista for b/day pressie). Having no PC (other than work laptops) in the house was good - my fishtank is now looking great!

Anyway, downloaded the SATA driver onto USB (running 2HDD's in RAID1 config), added driver during install, reboots, starting windows for 1st time....critical error-volsnap.sys file missing.

OK, lets try an install on 1HDD (so unplugged 1, changed BIOS settings) - went through the same process as above...with the same result! Only now there appear to be less disk space as each install seem to take 2Gb+/-.

Thinking of formatting each HDD again, and using 1 to put another install on. But what does this volsnap.sys do? Will I be flogging a dead horse installing again?

Will get system specs from previous hardware issue thread.
Edit: Here's previous thread:Bob broke my PC

System specs:
Gigabyte GA_965P_DS3P (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.13GHz (1066FSB)
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-5300C3 667MHz Dual Channel Kit
Geforce 8800 GTS
550W PSU
 
Last edited:
Cheers.

Any reason why I should still need it if I'm only installing the OS on 1 HDD?

As my brief lunchtime surf makes me think it's needed if there's 2HDD's and it's sorting out the drive volumes/partitions...so if there's only 1HDD with no partitions, it should'nt be needing it?
 
I've honestly never had soo many problems with a PC. Finally managed to get my OEM Vista on after numerous BSOD on install (different ones each time). In the month or so waiting for Vista, I've gone and lost the Gigabyte driver CD!! Will they deliver a new one? Or can I download them all from their site?

My next silly problem is that the CD and DVD drives won't run any driver discs, eg, GFX drivers.

On top of that I can't create any more user accounts other than mine, which is set as Admin.


Just wondering also, but will vista download all necessary drivers if I hook up to the internet? My partner has been hogging the sole connection with job applications!
 
Seems I've shot myself in the foot, as the MS website says you get installation updates ONLY if you're connected to the internet during installation.

Have I jeopardised myself? Should I attempt a fresh install again? (when the missus ain't around).
 
Just go to the MS website after installation and you'll get plenty of updates.

You can get drivers for mobo/gfx card via the respective companies websites.

Get the Vista issue sorted then focus on the user accounts. Or just enable guest account for the moment if you have any users you dont trust accessing your PC
 
Cheers. Managed to get Vista onto my 2nd HDD (1st one got too hot after multiple attempts).

Took 3hrs, so will continue after work today installing drivers etc - haven't bothered with accounts yet, was just pleased to get the OS on. Does look good though. Will go slow, with system restores if needed, when installing drivers, as I don't trust nvidia totally.

Fingers crossed.
 
Went to install drivers on Friday (was ill) only to discover memory management issues!

Reinstalled, and bombed out at starting windows for 1st time. Restarted with last known good config and noticed my 2Gig of RAM diminishing on each restart 2Gb > 1.7Gb > 1.5Gb > 0.7Gb in the POST messages.

Switched from red DIMM sockets, to the yellow ones, and is now picking up 2Gb again. Decided to call it a day after that, and put the drivers on later. Have created a restore point though.

Hopefully one day this week I'll get the drivers on!
 
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