A last resort....

Jack Hayward · Aug 25, 2013

Hi there.

I recently built a new computer, specs below.

- Nvidia Geforce GT240 1GB
- AMD FX 8320 3.5ghz Black Edition
- G.Skill 8GB (2x4GB) 1600Mhz DDR3 Ripjaw X Series
- Corsair Builder Series CXM 600W Modular 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX/EPS PSU
- Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Motherboard
- SanDisk SDSSDRC-032G-G26 32GB ReadyCache SATA III 3GB/s 2.5 Inch Internal SSD
- Windows 7 Professional

It all went ok. Up until the windows 7 install. It kept giving me messages like this:

"windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause"

"file: CI.dll"

Status: 0xc00000098

And would stop the install at different times (sometimes with a different file name that was "corrupt")

After a lot of searching I had seen someone suggest removing a stick of RAM... Confused, but I did it, and to my surprise it worked! Windows 7 installed. I thought my problems were over, but I was wrong.

I log in this morning and begin setting up my computer. The first thing I notice, is that I can't install the CD that has all of the motherboard drivers on it (I put the disc in the drive, but it just appears to be loading for ages)

So after searching around I perform a chkdsk, disk defrag, and a scandisk. The scandisk found some errors. But I do not have permission to view the logs file...?

Next thing I try is to download the drivers from the internet onto a USB, including graphics card drivers, and winrar (needed to extract them)

When extracting with winrar it keeps telling me the files are corrupt, even though they're clearly not as I extracted them with no problems at all on my laptop (Windows 7 home premium 64 bit)

I really am at a complete loss and don't know where to go from here. Any help would be REALLY appreciated!

Thank you so much,

Probably also worth noting - Windows Explorer was taking an AGE to load at first. But a chkdsk seemed to resolve it - although Disk Management, optical drive etc is still facing the issue.

UPDATE: Just re-started the machine and I am experiencing the same issue as before. "my computer" is taking a LONG time to load.

markwp · Aug 25, 2013

Did you put the ram stick back in? If so, take it out again and see if it solves the issue. One bad stick in a dual channel setup will cause havoc. If it works on one stick, take the good stick out and try the 2nd stick. If it fails on the second, you have a bad ram stick. If it works, repeat the process but in the second ram slot that you would use with 2 sticks.

Mark

dfryda · Aug 25, 2013

One thing you may want to try is to go into MSCONFIG and disable all the startups. Reboot your computer and see if your programs like explorer load and run faster. If you can read your files off the CD now and open your WinRAR files, then slowly, one at a time, start enabling those startup options until you find the one causing your problems....

J_E_D_70 · Aug 25, 2013

As said above if win pro is on the ssd that's your likely problem. I think the reason taking a stick of ram out helped is that it reduced hiberfil.sys from 8gb to 4gb, giving enough room for the install to finish but not enough for it to eork right.

Jack Hayward · Aug 25, 2013

u_gonna_squeal_b4_we_cookya :

Hey there, thanks for your response.

I see... So would this appear to be where my issues are coming from? What sort of things is this SSD designed for use with, installing games etc to it? Would it be worth formatting the drive and installing windows onto my 640GB HDD?

All the best,

Jack Hayward · Aug 25, 2013

markwp :

Hi Mark. Thanks for your response,

Understood; although a lot of people have just told me it is because my "SSD" isn't designed for operating systems, and is designed for caching. Would this make sense to you? Do you think I should check your idea first, or re-install onto my HDD first?

Many thanks,

Jack Hayward · Aug 25, 2013

dfryda :

Thanks Dfryda,

I will try this - I have just been told my SSD is in no way shape or form designed for OS installations. So I think I am going to re-install on my HDD. Hopefully it resolves the issues, if not I will definitely give this a go.

Kind Regards,

Jack Hayward · Aug 25, 2013

u_gonna_squeal_b4_we_cookya :

Perfect! Understood. Thanks so much for your help.

One quick question (sorry..!) What is the best way of getting windows 7 onto the HDD, and formatting the SSD? (As I don't think you can format a drive with the OS loaded on it, can you?)

Thanks.

markwp · Aug 25, 2013

Jack Hayward :

Yep, I agree. What you have is an hdd with a "hi speed helper" for data transfer. That type of drive is meant as a tradeoff between the speed of access offered by ssd (but high per gb cost) plus the room of a low per gb cost hdd.

Mark

J_E_D_70 · Aug 25, 2013

I wouldn't leave the ssd in while installing the os - wait and plug it in afterwards. If win puts a system partition on there, the pc will stop working if you ever have to remove the ssd.

Jack Hayward · Aug 25, 2013

u_gonna_squeal_b4_we_cookya :

Really strange - Justried my installation WITHOUT the SSD in, got to the windows orbs flying around, and recieved the error "\windows\system32\DRIVERS\nvraid.sys

Status: 0xc000231

Info: Windows failed to load because a critical system driver is missing, or corrupt.

Any ideas?

Jack Hayward · Aug 25, 2013

u_gonna_squeal_b4_we_cookya :

Jack Hayward :

It sounds like an issue with the Nvidia driver. Do you have an Nvidia video card installed?

Jack Hayward · Aug 25, 2013

Removed the nvidia card from the system including 1 stick of RAM and the SSD... let's see what happens! fingers crossed

(good so far!!)

Orogi · Aug 25, 2013

This is just a guess, im no expert. It may be your SATA mode is set to RAID in your BIOS. I Think. You should have three options: IDE, AHCI, and RAID. Set it to AHCI. Then reinstall the OS.

Jack Hayward · Aug 25, 2013

Orogi :

Hey, thanks for answering.

I've already set it to AHCI. - Currently installing windows on my HDD (apparently my SSD doesn't support OS). Wish me luck!

Jack Hayward · Aug 25, 2013

Well guys - You'll be pleased to know so far I've managed to get it up and running with no errors... Yet (Touch wood), using this as an opportunity to install all my drivers etc.

One strange thing I should note - I installed the Operating system VIA my optical drive. It has been making weird noises ever since I put it in this new machine (I re-used it from my old computer), it seems to take FOREVER to load any discs (not the os installation though? that was just like normal) - for example I put in my motherboard driver disc, waited for an hour (literally), still nothing. Maybe I'll just have to get a new drive? Thanks

markwp · Aug 26, 2013

Jack:

When you get clicking noises from the optical drive, it's generally a sign of dust or crap which may interfere with the laser reading the disc. You can try one of the laser cleaning discs, or a little canned air to blow it out.

As a hint - don't use the drivers that come with the m/b and gpu. Chances are high that they are out of date. Go to the manufacturers web site(s) and download and install the most current drivers for your hardware.

If you have already installed video drivers, I would recommend a complete uninstall of those, then an install of the most current certified drivers (not betas).

Just as a hint, you might want to explore using a usb for installation of items rather than a disc. USB failure is a lot less than disc, and it's really easy to store all your drivers, etc. on a usb.

Mark

A last resort....

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