BSOD during XP/Vista install on Intel D975XBX2 (RESOLVED!)

[Rambunctious]

I just set up the hardware for a new system and when the OS starts to load, I'll get the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). A quick google around for "D975XBX2 bsod" reveals many people having similar problems (primarily loading Vista) and their solution was to load the new BIOS (2618). I've done that but still no love.

Several have suggested that their RAM wasn't on the Intel approved list (wtf? do they think they are IBM?). I've got good RAM, selected because it is SLI and Vista compatible, but now I'm worried that Intel will push back on me and say its not supported. I've disabled multi core and I'm not overclocking (yet) but this board was marketed for its overclocking capabilities for gamers. Even blew away the RAID volumes and tried to install on single drive without luck.

Any suggestions? There is a INF pre-installation to OS procedure (http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/bx2/bx2_drive.htm), but I don't understand how to load it as I don't even have formatted hard drives (just RAID volumes right now).


UPDATE: Changing out the SATA DVD drive for a IDE one solved the problem and I'm able to load Windows. Bad drive? Nope ... GTJ pointed out that the Marvell SATA slots might require loading the Marvell RAID drivers ... I hesitantly tried it out but it worked like a charm! http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?p=2024206#post2024206

 

[Reo]

By chance do you have 3 or more gigs of ram installed? If you do that's the problem.
Just take enough ram out that you have 1~2 gigs, then install. Put them back in before you activate windows.

Other than that...I'm out of ideas. My windows would only install if I loaded the default bios between every restart, so its seems to be a case by case issue.

 

[Rambunctious]

By chance do you have 3 or more gigs of ram installed? If you do that's the problem.
Just take enough ram out that you have 1~2 gigs, then install. Put them back in before you activate windows.

Other than that...I'm out of ideas. My windows would only install if I loaded the default bios between every restart, so its seems to be a case by case issue.

Just the 2 sticks of 1 gig each. btw the mobo auto-detects the RAM as 5-5-5-16 (1.84) and I adjusted the settings to 4-4-4-12 (2.1 and 2.2) as well as 5-5-5-15 (v1.84) to no avail. Pulled out the RAM and tried one at a time without additional success.

btw BSOD reads "'check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly installed hard drives or hard drive controllers. Check your hard drive to make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run CHKDSK /F to check for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer'." Note that I did try to install onto a single HDD, no RAID.

 

[Rambunctious]

Complete BSOD is:

"A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer. If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps. Check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly installed hard drives or hard drive controllers. Check you hard drive to make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run CHKDSK /F to check for hard drive corruption and then restart your computer.
Technical information:xxx STOP: OXOOOOOO7B (OxF78D2524, OXOOOOOO34,OXOOOOOOOO,OXOOOOOOOO)"

Finding a couple of hits googling for "OxF78D2524", maybe I can come up with something? Update: from Microsoft http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324103

Note that my DVD player and all hard drives are SATA

 

[Luke7]

Hi Rambunctious

What speed does your ram runs at, 800 MHz?
If you run your ram at 800 MHz try to set your ram speed at 667 MHz

 

[Rambunctious]

Hi Rambunctious

What speed does your ram runs at, 800 MHz?
If you run your ram at 800 MHz try to set your ram speed at 667 MHz

Hi Luke, it runs at 800 (PC2 6400), but I dropped it to 667 at your suggestion and still ran into good old BSOD.

 

[Luke7]

Hi again

Perhaps this older Bios version may help
http://mysearch.intel.com/corporate/default.aspx?culture=en-US&q=BX97520J.86A.2333.IB&searchsubmit.x=20&searchsubmit.y=7

http://mysearch.intel.com/corporate/default.aspx?culture=en-US&q=BX97520J.86A.2333.eb

Don't know if you have try this version out, if not give it a try.

 

[Rambunctious]

Hi again

Perhaps this older Bios version may help
http://mysearch.intel.com/corporate/default.aspx?culture=en-US&q=BX97520J.86A.2333.IB&searchsubmit.x=20&searchsubmit.y=7

http://mysearch.intel.com/corporate/default.aspx?culture=en-US&q=BX97520J.86A.2333.eb

Don't know if you have try this version out, if not give it a try.

Good thoughts, I started with 2333 OOTB. Many folks complaining about Vista issues had their problems fixed with the 02/12/06 BIOS upgrade (which I'm running now).

 

[Luke7]

Hi again Rambunctious

Well, I have no more ideas.
Here is my system running 100% stabel with 2618 bios

Windows Vista 64 bit
Intel QX6700 oc to 3.33 GHz FSB= 1333 MHz
Intel D975XBX2
4 GB Corsair 8500 DDR2 RAM
Raptor 150 GB harddisk
ATI X1950XT
Dell 24 screen

Vcore = 1.375
VFSB = 1.300
VICH = 1.525
Ram set to 667 MHz 5-5-5-15 2.2 volt
I can only get 64 bit Vista to run at 667 MHz with 4 GB ram
With 2 GB I can run the RAM at 800 MHz

 

[Rambunctious]

Thanks for your help Luke (et al), I'll call Intel tonight and see what I can come up with. Any other thoughts anyone?