Topic: Anyone build computer here?

[Liam]

Hey all

Ive built a few computer of the years and never had any problems, however a year ago I hit a brick wall, and have failed to make it work! I cant remember the spec off by hand but basically it all works until I start to install windows xp, it will loads the drivers in the setup and once it says "preparing to installl windows" the screen flashes once and freezes!

Any ideas?

I'll put the spec up in a bit when i have the energy to climb up the stairs, lol.

[JimmyTheHoover]

Hi Liam,

I would suggest that you get a basic boot floppy generated on another PC first and see if you can get that to boot first - this will allow you to carryout some basic checks that the hardawre is all instaled properly and "visible" - memory/disks etc. and that the video side of things is at least basically working.

Check that out and we can troubleshoot from there and point you at various dignostic utils etc. as required.

Jim

[Huw]

basically it all works until I start to install windows xp

Erm. Why do you say it all works? In what way works? Have you tried another OS ?

[Liam]

I've tried using different ram sticks/ video cards/power supply etc to no avail!

I'll get the spec in a bit that might tell u more! Ive also flashed the bios to make sure it's fully up to date for the processor!

[Liam]

basically it all works until I start to install windows xp

Erm. Why do you say it all works? In what way works? Have you tried another OS ?

Well the computer will turn on and will boot from CD and start installing windows xp pro on to the hard drive, but after it installs all the basic drivers and then say's "preparing to setup windows" the screen flashes once" and then does nothing!

I've checked my bios setting and checked the temp of the CPU, all appear fine!

It's really annoying cos ive build a few pc's before and never had any problems, but this one has me stumped, hence why it's sat in the corner for a year nothing collecting dust!

[Huw]

Well the computer will turn on and will boot from CD and start installing windows xp pro on to the hard drive, but after it installs all the basic drivers and then say's "preparing to setup windows" the screen flashes once" and then does nothing!

so it appears that your memory and hard disk are fine ... that's a good start anyway. Sounds to me like it could be an issue with the graphics card or driver. Do you have a spare you could try instead of the one you have in the PC now?

[Liam]

yea ive tried another graphics card and still the same! I though it might of been the SATA driver but i downloaded the latest one for my motherboard and botted it from the floopy during setup when prompted, but i still aint working.

Im thinking maybe i'll donate this computer to the next cutting party unless someone fancies taking a look at it for me, lol!

[JimmyTheHoover]

Does the PC actually stay powered on or does it shut down after the screen flashes and if it stays on does it react to ctrl+alt+del ?

[Liam]

yes it stay's on and if I remember correctly it will restart if i press ctrl+alt+del

I'll took it up before i go to work and have a lookie again!

[Huw]

Im thinking maybe i'll donate this computer to the next cutting party unless someone fancies taking a look at it for me, lol!

Sure. I'll have a look if you like. Personally the first thing I'd do is try to install Linux. The newer versions cope much better with SATA drives than XP. At least that might give you a better insight into where the fault lies - i.e. with your hardware or software.

[Liam]

ive never used Linux before, however ive heard it's the k9's love rocks! And ive already got the office pc and laptop running xp so would be nice to have something different.

I'll bring it next wednesday Huw if that's ok, im working tonight so i wont be at training and obviously I dont expect u to do it for free!

[JimmyTheHoover]

JUst burn a bootable Linux CD distro and use that.......

[GuyB]

Just burn a bootable Linux CD distro and use that.......

Try Ubuntu or PClinuxOS.. these are both very stable, well developed linux distros.

http://www.ubuntu.com - http://www.PClinuxOS.com

Got to either site and burn a live CD using one of the images you can download there. Shove it in your CD drive and reboot...

Watch out though.. you might end up scrapping windows altogether (unless you like to play games that is).

Even if linux fails to boot, it should give you a bit more info on why..