Computer freezes on XP loading.

[Tim]

I'm working on an HP Pavilion 7845 desktop, and it's driving me crazy!:rarr:

I formatted the hard drive (by installing it in another PC, removing it as soon as format was done from an XP boot disk), and am trying to load Windows XP Home, but it refuses to load.

It'll start loading all the usual files from the XP boot disk, but when it gets to the blue screen that says "Setup is Starting Windows" at the bottom, it'll just sit there for as long as I let it.

Several different XP boot disks, same result. Never had this happen before.

I even tried pulling the CMOS battery for a few minutes, and loading system defaults in the BIOS. Nothing different.:banghead:

Any ideas?

[Thrax]

Bad RAM/HDD.

[Tim]

Once again, Thrax saves the day!:thumbsup:

I had gotten the computer with a single 128 MB stick of SDRAM in it. Before doing any work, I added another one of the same size.

After I took out that second stick, it loaded up XP just like it should.

The computer would run fine with either stick of RAM installed, BUT NOT BOTH.

I wonder why that is.

But no matter what, the problem was found.

Thanks!:leet:

[Thrax]

Memory isn't all created equal. Many sticks of off-brand memory conflict with one another.