Cant get Windows to install *URGENT*

RiversCuomoRiversCuomo Missouri New
edited June 2005 in Hardware
hi, i finally got my pc today. Everything went preety smooth until i tried to install windows. I keep getting the error(in different parts of installation) saying "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL"
Then under technical info it says something along the lines of "*** STOP: 0X0000000A (0X408CE16C, 0X00000002, 0X00000000, 0X80818652)

Lets just say I didnt pay for my copy of Windows XP Pro with SP2. I belive the problem is in the disc. I should probably go buy windows xp home edition now. Heres the question though, can i buy the upgrade version and still install windows xp normally even though i dont have a previous version of windows on my PC?
Thanks

Comments

  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited June 2005
    Sounds like a bad disk to me.

    Buy the upgrade and use a CD from any older copy of windows you can get your hands on (not including Windows 2000).When WinXP installs, it will ask you to insert a Win 95/98/98SE disk to verify.
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited June 2005
    YGPMed.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited June 2005
    Don't discount bad hardware or incompatible ram. Have you run memtest?
  • RiversCuomoRiversCuomo Missouri New
    edited June 2005
    primesuspect wrote:
    Don't discount bad hardware or incompatible ram. Have you run memtest?

    Im almost positive its not my hardware. Like i said, my copy of windows didnt cost anything....... Im going to buy home edition at wal-mart
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited June 2005
    Do you have anything to base that assumption off of other than you really don't want it to be true? Believe me, I've had quite a few bad pieces of brand new hardware right out of the box.

    It doesn't hurt to run memtest. I agree that you should definitely go buy a legit copy of windows, but when that one does the same thing, you'll want to start testing your hardware.
  • JimBowenJimBowen Southampton, England
    edited June 2005
    I had the very same error with my laptop. It turned out that the motherboard or CPU had overheated after leaving the thing running Folding@Home at the highest possible clock speed.
    Memtest did report errors, more than 16MB worth of them, however the errors appeared in different places each time I ran it, and always right next to each other, suggesting that it was a heat problem rather than bad RAM.
    I RMAd it and they replaced the motherboard (and possibly the CPU). It works fine now.
    I would also check the temperature of the CPU. Did you put the heatsink on yourself?
  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited June 2005
    It possibly is a bad disc but you should run memtest to be sure. It will save alot of frustration. Memtest is also built into the bios on your board so yyou won't need to download it and make a floppy. Just hit the 'del' key during startup to enter bios and go to;

    Genie Bios > Dram Settings / then go to the bottom of the page and enable memtest86 the F10 and enter to exit and save. Let memtest run for at least an hour. If you get ANY ERRORS the ram will need to be RMA'd. I always test like this with new hardware and anytime I change ram settings to be certain of stability.

    Also run the system in the bios for about 30 minutes and monitor the CPU temperature.
  • RiversCuomoRiversCuomo Missouri New
    edited June 2005
    Alright, I'm going to go ahead and purchase Windows XP Home. This will work just fine for my new rig, right? Why is the OEM version a lot cheaper?
    I think im going to pay 20 more bucks and do overnight shipping :shakehead
    I just cant wait.
  • Park_7677Park_7677 Missouri Member
    edited June 2005
    Run Memtest before you spend money Kyle ;D
  • RiversCuomoRiversCuomo Missouri New
    edited June 2005
    Park_7677 wrote:
    Run Memtest before you spend money Kyle ;D

    Im working on it.
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited June 2005
    I'm 99% sure it is NOT a windows problem, don't waste your money

    it is very likely bad ram, next in line would be a bad hard disk, followed by a bad psu

    it sucks, but it happens
  • RiversCuomoRiversCuomo Missouri New
    edited June 2005
    I have run memtest 5 different times and every time it freezes on test #8. Im getting extremely pissed off. Sometimes the picture will change to a blue screen with green brick-like structures on it. One time the screen just turned grey. All the other times the timer and the testing percentiles will freeze and it wont allow me to interact with memtest when that happens.
    :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:
    At least im still under warranty!
    "Do you have anything to base that assumption off of other than you really don't want it to be true?" You are correct PrimeSuspect....you are correct.



    Post anything you have to comment about my results...
    Thank You, now i must go to work sad and pissed off.
  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited June 2005
    Take the board back out of the case and test on top of the box and static bag like I said to do a test post prior to installing the board. Also re-install the memory to be certain it is in the slots correctly. Just connect the floppy drive and video card in addition to the memory and CPU. Did you let the system run in the bios and monitor the temperatures for 1/2 an hour or so prior to trying to install windows like I mentioned earlier? You mentioned that it is extremely hot in your room. This may not be a good thing either.
  • RiversCuomoRiversCuomo Missouri New
    edited June 2005
    mtgoat wrote:
    Take the board back out of the case and test on top of the box and static bag like I said to do a test post prior to installing the board. Also re-install the memory to be certain it is in the slots correctly. Just connect the floppy drive and video card in addition to the memory and CPU. Did you let the system run in the bios and monitor the temperatures for 1/2 an hour or so prior to trying to install windows like I mentioned earlier? You mentioned that it is extremely hot in your room. This may not be a good thing either.

    I let the system run for 6 1/2 hours. I came home and checked it, it was at 39-40c. What would taking it out of the case and putting it on the box/static bag change? I reseated the memory and it still freezes on test 8. I skipped test 8 and ran test 9, it passed. Shortly im going to take out 1 stick of RAM and try that. I just dont want it to be my RAM! I will have to uninstall the heatsink! arghhh. any more suggestions while were at it?

    EDIT: I just finshed test 10 as well, it passed too. Is it considered failing if my system hangs on 8? I went to the DFI boards and some people had to change some settings to get their memtest to run w/o errors. I've been doing A LOT of searching. I was reading where 2 more people were having the problem with the San Diegos and OCZ platinum rev 2 RAM. Wish i had a diff copy of windows to try. Im starting to doubt its my RAM. Anybody got anything to add?
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited June 2005
    If it hangs on test 8, SOMETHING is wrong with your hardware. Stop focusing on windows - this is not a software problem.

    It MIGHT not be actual bad hardware. It may be incompatible memory or memory in incompatible slot configurations. Run memtest with one stick at a time.

    I hate to say this too - but I've seen bad processors actually hang memtest. And I have purchased bad processors new from the factory. It happens.
  • RiversCuomoRiversCuomo Missouri New
    edited June 2005
    primesuspect wrote:
    If it hangs on test 8, SOMETHING is wrong with your hardware. Stop focusing on windows - this is not a software problem.

    It MIGHT not be actual bad hardware. It may be incompatible memory or memory in incompatible slot configurations. Run memtest with one stick at a time.

    I hate to say this too - but I've seen bad processors actually hang memtest. And I have purchased bad processors new from the factory. It happens.

    Ive been around the DFI forums. I think its going to come out ok, God, I hope so. Theres a lot of troubleshooting over there and there has been a lot of problems with the san diego cores and ocz platinum rev 2 RAM, exactly what i have. A BIOS flash has fixed many problems for some and changing the voltage settings has helped where a flash didnt. I'm beginning to find new hope that I wont have to RMA :D
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited June 2005
    primesuspect wrote:
    If it hangs on test 8, SOMETHING is wrong with your hardware. Stop focusing on windows - this is not a software problem.

    It MIGHT not be actual bad hardware. It may be incompatible memory or memory in incompatible slot configurations. Run memtest with one stick at a time.

    I hate to say this too - but I've seen bad processors actually hang memtest. And I have purchased bad processors new from the factory. It happens.
    bad procs don't usually hang test 8, I think a bad memory controller tends to hang test 4...
  • RiversCuomoRiversCuomo Missouri New
    edited June 2005
    After pulling an all-nighter with endless reading and some troubleshooting I am on my NEW SYSTEM!!!
    :celebrate

    This rig is blazing fast. thank you everyone.
  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited June 2005
    Outstanding!!!

    Could you please post what you did so others could see how this problem was resolved. i could help others who encounter the same problem. I am happy you like your new system! Also, did you remember what I said about only using the Nvidia drivers for the audio and not using the Realtek drivers?
  • RiversCuomoRiversCuomo Missouri New
    edited June 2005
    mtgoat wrote:
    Outstanding!!!

    Could you please post what you did so others could see how this problem was resolved. i could help others who encounter the same problem. I am happy you like your new system! Also, did you remember what I said about only using the Nvidia drivers for the audio and not using the Realtek drivers?

    Well, after sorting through what seemed endless troubleshooting tips for the DFI Lanparty I found what I was looking for. The board I received was the 1/25 BIOS(i think) and I flashed it to the 3/10 BIOS. Then, A LOT of things in the RAM configuration had to be changed, i can thank one thread for helping me get my system stable. With all the DFI Lanparty boards (NF4) With the Winchester, San Diego or Venice core seem to have problems running the OCZ TCCD/TCC5 memory. Consequential, there are setting that need to be tinkered with. I went into Genie BIOS and changed some settings there(which are listed in the thread I linked to) and in the DRAM configuration there were settings that needed to be changed(also in the linked site). Good for whoever figured all those out, I benefited and MANY others have as well. Thank you to everyone here for their support, I have found a new home. A special thanks to Larry(mtgoat) for putting through hell with my bombardment of questions. Hats off to you and I'll never forget this. Thank you s-m members!
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited June 2005
    :D another success story

    I'm glad you got it running :thumbsup:
  • AuthorityActionAuthorityAction Missouri Member
    edited June 2005
    Congrats Kyle! :thumbsup:

    Now, when do I get a turn to play on it?
  • SmallsSmalls Boring Missouri
    edited June 2005
    Great Job Kyle!! :celebrate
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