Hey guys,

So I finally have all the parts for my mod that I've been planning for months. Everything is together and looking great... except with installing windows.

The configuration I have going is...
1GB Kingston RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820144151
miniITX mobo http://www.mini-box.com/Intel-D201 [...] herboard_2
250GB SATA WD2500 (1.5Gb/s)

So far, I've been hitting loads of problems trying to get windows installed. A few times, I've managed to get as far as the 'finalization' steps (entering the date, time, location etc) and then BSOD. Twice I got to the "initializing network' stage and then BSOD. More recently I got a BSOD while it was creating a 'list of files to download'.

I've gotten a few different errors too. A 'PFN_LIST_CORRUPT' error was the most recent.

I suspected the RAM and ran a full test with memtest86, which came back with no errors. The other suspect I have is the HDD. Its a cannibalized drive from a dead rig that I inherited, so I don't have proof that it ever even worked.

Where do you think the problem might be? Does a clean memtest suggest that the RAM is OK? What should my next steps be?

What make HD? Try downloading DFT from IBM/Hitachi and make boot diskette/CD to test the drive. What CPU, video adapter, PSU? Dodgy PSU can cause install problems.

Mike.

Hey Mike, thanks for the feedback.

The drive is a Western Digital. I checked the WD website but it seemed like their bootable CDs didn't have drive tests, they only mentioned things like "how to install" "pin placement" etc.

The CPU and video adapters are here...
http://www.mini-box.com/Intel-D201 [...] herboard_2
(sry, the link above seems dead)

The PSU is actually a picoPSU that is from the same site.
http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-90 [...] ategory=13

The PSU and mobo are sold together as a kit, so there shouldn't be any issues with them being used in conjunction.

//////The drive is a Western Digital. I checked the WD website but it seemed like their bootable CDs didn't have drive tests, they only mentioned things like "how to install" "pin placement" etc.

@Shez We need more information to find the proper HDD Diagnostic disk from Western Digital for your HDD like the exact model # and its connection type IDE or SATA, and more than likely you'll need a Floppy Drive to run the diagnostic program.

The drive is a 250 GB WD Cavier 2500 Sata 1.5GB/s, which is one of the only models thats not the 3.0GBs.

The site I had found for diagnostic tools was...

http://support.wdc.com/product/dow [...] 04&lang=en

but when I read through the tool description, it didn't seem to have any 'testing' features.

Just got done talking to my IT guy and he suspects the mobo and not the HD or RAM. When I get home, I'll test with a working HD, reseat everything and try for the millionth time.

Shez, that was the correct site, Data Lifeguard is the diagnostic program, can be run under windows OR DOS - Floppy or CD. Different HD is also valid test. If you have blown (bulging/leaking0 caps on the motherboard, then that may well be your problem.

Mike.

The mobo is brand new and doesn't have the tell tale signs of burnt components. It's in the open air, so I've had plenty of face time with it

So tonight - I'm using the new and working HD. On the first run through the system hung while part way through the install. No BSOD but a complete hang.

I'm currently working my way through the 3rd install for today. The install made it all the way to the point of "saving" and then I got a BSOD stating "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL".

I read up on the error and it apparently is commonly the CPU overheating (i'll try again with a house fan pointed at it) or bad RAM. Which makes me wonder again, does a clean memtest suggest that the RAM is OK?

If HS feels very hot, fan is slow or HS clogged with fluff. If HS very cool, is not making good contact with CPU, needs reseating and new thermal compound. You could go into BIOS and check CPU temp, keep watching until it stabilises, or gets to 70C, which would indicate a problem. Can you plug a known good PSU into this for testing. Memory should be OK.

Mike.

@Mike. Yeah, I had thought that might be a problem as well. The CPU is soldered down onto the mobo, so reseating isn't a possibility. And as for the heating, I placed a house fan, on high in front of the board and blasted it with cool air. Checking through the BIOS, the temps never rose more than 42C.

I'll see if I can't find another PSU. And I also ran memtest a few more times last night and again, no errors.

You bring up a good point though mike, maybe I should take off the HS and try reapplying thermal compound.

What????????????

Yup

http://www.mini-box.com/Intel-D201 [...] herboard_2

"Soldered down Intel® Celeron processor 220 with a 533 MHz system bus"

Well I just learned something I didn't know! Thanks!

To repay me, you can figure out what's wrong with my damn computer

You can connect a standard ATX PSU to test.

Mike.