Problems with installing Windows OS

[BradleyTCO]

I recently built a new system for a friend (yeah, I know. . .big mistake). I'm using an ECS K7S5A Pro motherboard, a new AMD 1700+ TBred, a new Maxtor 40GB HDD, 512MB SDRAM, and a new Optorite CD-RW.

I'm installing a legitimate license of Windows 98 SE on the system. All the components appear to work fine. I run the Win98SE installation from the floppy boot disk and use the CD-ROM. The installation proceeds with it "checking my system" and then it runs Microsoft ScanDisk. ScanDisk completes successfully, then the screen reads that it is copying files for installation (or setup, or something like that). It then says to remove the floppy disk and restart the system to continue installation.

Upon reboot, it gives the option to either boot from the hard drive or the CD. If it boots from the hard drive, it reports that the system disk is invalid (if I haven't formatted the drive yet) or it simply goes to a C: prompt and sits there. If I let it boot from the CD, the checking the system--ScanDisk--copying files--restart the system process repeats itself ad infinitum.

What am I doing wrong? I simply want to get an OS installed on this friend's system.

On a further note, I've tried installing a copy of XP home as well. It boots straight from the CD, then the installation gets to the preliminary step of "Debugging Kernal" and then freezes.

Can anyone lend any assistance on installing either Win98SE or WinXP home on this system? Thank you very much.

 

[Spyro]

Make sure that the system is set to boot from the CD-Rom. Check the bios settings.

 

[BradleyTCO]

Thanks so much for the reply. I actually have it set to boot first to floppy, then CD, then IDE-0. That way, it can actually boot using the boot floppy. Will this really make a difference for the installation of either Win98SE or WinXP Home?

 

[Wallysaurus]

How do you have the drive partitioned?

 

[foxkm]

That boot to CD or Hard drive menu is actually cause you are booting off the windows 98 CD first. But when you select the hard drive, it just switches to boot right off the hard drive so if its not working, then you have got some hardware problems or partition problems. Since you suggest that XP kernel module loading locks up, you might have some major hardware problems. Try first.. Wiping all partitions using FDISK on the win98 CD (in dos) and then use the XP home installer and try to boot up the XP installer. If this doesn't work. then go into your bios and make sure your bios settings are set to "safe", especially check your memory timings and set them high (slower response). You might even try a program called memtest to see if you have memory problems.

If all else fails.. take it to a local PC store and pay them to properly diagnose it

foxkm

 

[BradleyTCO]

Thanks very much for the input.
If I format the drive using a third-party program like Maxtor's Max Blast, it does partition and format the hard drive as a usable drive (it writes IO.SYS and COMMAND.COM, I believe). However, if I elect to boot to that drive after Windows Setup reboots, it only goes to the C: prompt. It's as if the initial installation files were not written to the hard drive.
If I use the boot disk programs to partition and format the drive, it does set up a FAT32 partition, but there are no system files on the drive--it will not boot to the drive. It states that the system disk is invalid.
If I elect to boot to the CD-ROM it begins the preliminary installation process all over again, running ScanDisk, etc. Once it reboots (ostensibly to continue the installation), it will either unsuccesfully boot to the hard drive (where the installation files seem to not have been written) or it will go to the CD to begin the process over again.

To my limited experience, this seems like a software issue. I can't think of a hardware situation that would cause this.

 

[proxopspete]

First, make sure you only have necessary hardware in it while installing. I've had nightmare in installing XP Pro only to find out from others that my SB Live 5.1 sound card should've been sitting out in the open acting all pretty until the install and updates were done. When I did remove the sound card, everthing was hunky dory! 8) Hope this helps...

 

[SpeedFreak03]

First, make sure you only have necessary hardware in it while installing. I've had nightmare in installing XP Pro only to find out from others that my SB Live 5.1 sound card should've been sitting out in the open acting all pretty until the install and updates were done. When I did remove the sound card, everthing was hunky dory! 8) Hope this helps...

I had the same exact fu*king problem! I was about to throw the computer out the window and build a new one! Mine kept locking around the middle of detecting devices. BradleyTCO, I'd try taking out all drives except hdd, FDD and cd-rom. Every card except video. Unplug all devices (printer, network, etc.) except KB, mouse, power, and monitor. Boot up with Windows 98 CD. Choose "Boot from CD", and then "..without CD-ROM support". At the prompt, type "FDISK" and hit enter. Wipe all the partitions. Take out the 98 cd and put in the XP home cd. Boot up and install! Once you have it up and running, put each card in one by one, until you have a problem. If there are no problems, then you got lucky! If there are problems, you'll know what card to replace. Good Luck!

-SpeedFreak03