Hi all, got a new computer for my briefcase project. Here are the specs: Chaintech 7nil1 MOBO AMD XP-M 2400+ 512 MB Kingston Hyper-x memory 120 GB hard drive ATI 9600XT 256MB Heres my problem. Before mounting the computer in the case, i figured, why not test it out. I put everything together, boots up prefectly. GREAT! So i insert the windows XP CD. It is original, and mine, no scratches. It gets through the formatting, and when it finally goes to the windows xp screen where it says "windows is installing" "time remaining - 29 minutes" It freezes. Tried slow format, fast format. I dont know what else to do. Is it a hard drive problem?
http://www.memtest86.com/ It runs off of a floppy as far as I understand and means that you don't need an OS or anything to run it.
Mine did this, tried more or less all different components, still didnt want to, so i installed W2K and it worked perfectly.
Its a problem that crops up from time to time, and the majority of the time its down to the RAM. Do you have 2x256MB of RAM, if so try them in different slots, or try just one stick to get windows to install, if that fails try another stick. The strange thing you will probably find is that after installing windows the RAM will function perfectly, so if you get it to install you should be able to run with both sticks without fault... PS You can download memtest86 as a bootable CD..
my computer did the same thing except it was with windows 98, I think it is a hard drive problem. So I just said **** it and left. The comp only cost me 12 bucks, so no skin off my back. Well maybe a little.
Mem86 Do ypou have another computer or have any friend that can help you out? If so the memtest program can be created as an ISO image on a cd-rom. If your friends also have computers with compatible hardware it could be a long night of trial and error.
Had a problem like this in a shop once....It ended up being that the lan connection was causing an issue during the install, just had to unplug the cable and all was fine... Also I take it youve takin out everything but the bare components needed to boot and run the install disc?
How on earth does this help him out?? Anyway, this happened to me..had me stumped for about a week (actually stumped me twice, with two different computers. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, well... ) You've got 99% of a chance of it being a RAM issue. Play with what banks they're in, try one stick at a time (if it's two sticks), mess with timings...Basically sum's it up just right. Takes a lot of fooling with setups and timings, and eventually you'll get it.
Been there done that. Fortinately Corsair has an excillent rma policy, so I was back up and running in no time at all If you're too lazy/can't run memtest, just set all ram settings as low as they can go then try (though I really do reccomend memtest86, tis an awesome proggie).
Hmm...the memory. I Took the memory out of my gaming pc where it worked fine. I have not tried different slots, but this will be my next attempt. If not, its been about a month and a half since i bought the HDD and i doubt their is a warrenty.
Most hardware has atleast a one year waranty, and if its a good HDD the waranty could be 3 to 5 years.
Maxtor and WD have screwey waranty periods, make sure you check. Some are 1 year from mfg date, which can be way before you ever purchace the product. It's total BS, but they get away with it. [offtopic]I have heard that if you buy something with a visa and it dies before a year has passed that you can get visa to go after them, is this true?[/offtopic]
WOW! Tried switching the memory slot. Didnt work. Im getting soo FRUSTRATED!! WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE!!!
