Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (
More info?)
In article <39L4e.910355$8l.894649@pd7tw1no>, "cooldude" <topgun1@shaw.ca>
wrote:
> I have been trying to install windows XP Pro on a new machine.
>
> AMD Athlon 64 3000+ CPU,
> ASUS K8V-X mobo,
> Kingston PC3200 512 DDR ram,
> WD 160 GB HDD
> Pioneer 16x DVD Burner
> WinFast A340T GeFORCE FX5200 128 Mb Video Card
>
> Each time I installed it, it seemed like it was okay, and then after I
> installed service pack 2 it started doing strange things. Just before it
> would go to the windows screen it would flash boot ini. ???? (not sure what
> was next)
>
> On one occasion it would not show anything on the left side of the start
> menu when selected, and also would not go into control panel...got an error
> message that said something about run32.dll. Another time it said something
> about windows /system32/isa something.
>
> I have used different ram, and changed the video card. I have tried
> reinstalling 6 times now and still no luck. Any help would really be
> appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Sounds like your computer isn't quite computing yet.
No matter how healthy a computer is, the first test I recommend
is running memtest86+ from memtest.org . This memory test is
available as a floppy formatter (makes its own bootable floppy
that has no OS on it) or as an .iso suitable for making a
CD.
If memtest will run for a few passes error free, it tells you
two things. Your processor does compute, and your memory has
no simple stuck-at type faults. One of the advantages of memtest86
is that it tests all of the memory - the test program even "lifts"
itself out of the way, and tests underneath.
Once you have passed memtest, I don't really have any other nice
free test programs for testing media like hard drives or CD/DVD
players. You mention in your posting, that you are able to install
WinXP, but things fall over when yoo install SP2.
Try installing WinXP, then get a copy of Prime95 from mersenne.org .
Prime95 is a load tester, and also a computing consistency checker.
(Look in Prime95 for the "torture test" option.) It will find
problems that memtest86 doesn't always uncover. It will also test
the cooling on your CPU, as it runs the processor at 100% load,
and generates more heat than sitting idle.
If the original WinXP will stay upright long enough, you could also
test out that Pioneer burner. It is possible your install CD is
not being read cleanly from the drive. Some people copy the install
CD to a hard drive, as a separate operation, and then do the install
from the hard drive. That is one way to eliminate the CD/DVD
drive as a source of on-the-fly read errors.
Since you have the burner, you are likely to have a copy of
Nero. I think there is a tool in Nero, for scanning a piece of
media, looking for errors. You could use that tool, to see whether
the Pioneer likes the install CD(s) you are using. I spent about
a week testing media for a relative, and was amazed at how
many brands of media wouldn't read cleanly on the new CD/DVD
burner we got. You might even swap out the Pioneer and try a
cheap CD drive instead.
Maybe your exact symptom description will mean something to someone,
and they can give an exact solution. For me, I go about proving
the component parts of the computer (hardware, install CD, hard
drive surface) and pray that if all the component parts are working,
then the beast will start to compute.
With your single stick of DDR memory, I would place the stick in
slot 3 (furthest from the processor). The bus termination resistors
are next to slot 3 on a single channel board, and that is where I
would want the DIMM to be located for best signal quality.
A stick of DDR400 memory needs greater than 2.5-2.6V to work
error free, so you might bump up the Vdimm a bit. The BIOS
is probably doing that for you already, but it is worth a
shot to set it manually. 2.7V won't hurt anything.
You make no mention of your power supply, but for a minimal
build, I would recommend at least a quality 350W supply. Check
the label on the side, and make sure it can provide at least
12V output at 15 amps. There are a few disreputable brands
of power supply, that promise high output power, but only have
10 amps to offer on the +12V output. I don't see any signs that
power is your problem, but perhaps the results of testing with
Prime95 will tell you more about that - if the computer crashes
out or the power supply shuts off while testing with Prime95, it
could be the power supply isn't good enough for the load you
have on it.
Hope that gives you a few ideas,
Paul
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