Windows installer CDs crashing

danzor · 7 Nov 2007 at 12:30

One of the files in the system folder got corrupted, so I put in the Windows Vista CD (retail cd) and rebooted. It got to the "Windows is loading files" part and then it went on to the next loading screen, the one with the Vista style glossy loading bar.
When it's finished loading, it just restarts. No blue screen or bios error codes or anything, it just restarts the system in that exact same place every time.

I tried with an XP CD, same thing. I tried with an Ubuntu live CD, when it got to the loading part there, it crashed aswell.

It's not a new DVD drive, not that I mean it's old, but it was used previously in my older machine and it worked fine there.

It's connected with the only IDE cable in the system, the 2 HDDs are SATA.

I can't repair the Vista installation unless I can boot off the DVD.

I've tried resetting the CMOS, powering off the machine for 30 mins or so, still nothing. I'm not even sure which component the problem is caused by.

balls · 7 Nov 2007 at 12:31

Try running a memtest, the errors can be caused by faulty memory.

Admiral Huddy · 7 Nov 2007 at 12:33

Is this a new build?

I know this is a silly question but it does catch a lot of people out. You don't hit "any key" when on any of the reboot do you. Vista reboots a number of times and hangs for ages at one point. I've learnt just to let it be..

danzor · 7 Nov 2007 at 12:40

Admiral Huddy said:
Is this a new build?

I know this is a silly question but it does catch a lot of people out. You don't hit "any key" when on any of the reboot do you. Vista reboots a number of times and hangs for ages at one point. I've learnt just to let it be..

No, it doesn't even get to that part. After it's loading the initial files, it just reboots. It doesn't even get to the initial install screen.

I'm not too sure about running a memtest, I know the Vista CD has one.. :mad:

Admiral Huddy · 7 Nov 2007 at 12:45

Grab memtest86 from here http://www.memtest.org/

It needs to be burnt to CD then boot from this disk. It starts a DOS utility hat performs a diagnosis check on the RAM. Leave it for an hour or so but generally it reports any RAM problems in the first few tests. Notice I said problems not faults. It could be the RAM isn't receiving the correct voltages or the timings are wrong. Check the RAM manufacturer for recommend settings. If it continues to be a problem, try one stick at a time to isolate the offending stick.

danzor · 7 Nov 2007 at 14:09

Well, I found a copy of memtest on one of my old Fedora CDs, v. 1.65.

Anyway, it ran for 1 pass and found 0 errors, so i'm guessing the memory is fine.