Windows Filesystem BSOD

drasnordrasnor Starship OperatorHawthorne, CA Icrontian
edited March 2004 in Hardware
I'm trying to get rid of one of my older machines to satisfy my parents demand for me having fewer computers, so I've volunteered to donate it to the local Boy Scout Camp. Problem is, I can't get an OS installed on it.

I'm trying to install Win2k Pro, and at a random point in the install process it will BSOD and give a filesystem error (I've gotten both the NTFS and the FAT variety depending on what filesystem I was using). It's done this with a few of my drives and I'm getting tired of troubleshooting it.

Memtest86 comes up clean after three passes (1 hour total).

System: Dell Dimension V400
Pentium II 400MHz processor
128MB (64+32+32) PC100 SDRAM (mixed Micron and Dell modules)
Quantum Fireball CR3 hard drive (4.1GB), 1st IDE master
LG Goldstar 18x CD-ROM on 2nd IDE master
Yamaha 8x4x24 SCSI CD-RW on SCSI bus 0, ID:2 LUN:0
Buslogic bootable fast/narrow SCSI-II PCI host bus adapter

Oh yeah, and for some strange reason it won't boot from anything other than the hard drive if the hard drive has a boot sector, regardless of the boot order specified in the BIOS.

Linux hangs at random points during the install process also, always while copying files.

I'm leaning towards damaged cable, but I may just add a spare PCI IDE controller. I have no idea what's going on with the boot order issue. Ideas?

-drasnor :fold:

Comments

  • GobblesGobbles Ventura California
    edited March 2004
    1. Get a drive utility tool from the maker of your harddrive and run a complete diagnostic of the hard drive.

    2. Try clearing the cmos. You may also want to try a new bios or reflashing its current bios.

    3. Make sure all the IDE cables are in good condition

    4. remove all other cards and try the install with just the video card installed.

    5. make sure it has ample power. check the psu and make sure the voltages are good.

    just a few things you can check.

    Gobbles
  • botheredbothered Manchester UK
    edited March 2004
    I've recently had a full day of trying to get an os installed, on virtualy all new equipment, with the same symptoms. I took the memory back to the shop, they ran memtest and said it was fine (Kingmax pc3500). I got so fed up with it I took it back again and swapped it for some Corsair pc 3200 and all my problems went away. os installed without a hitch and it hasn't crashed since.
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