Windows wont install...

[worcmai]

Is it possible for a virus on a single hdd with two partitions to spread from the 2nd partition to the first and prevent an install of windows XP? With "can't read from CD" errors or just lockups during file copy process etc... I freshly formatted my first partition and tried to install the o/s and it just wont go... is it possible to check for a virus on a HDD from dos? I've ran memtest 86+ for several hours, and my temperatures are fine now..

This all started from a bluescreen of death from a cpu overheat... ever since then its been crashing and wont let me do a full (AVG) virus scan before it crashes..

So I dunno what to do... I've removed all unnecessary hardware, I just have 1 stick of 512 pc3200 giel ultra memory, 1 xp 3200+ 400fsb, 1 leadtek fx5900, and a a7n8x-e deluxe, 1 floppy, 1 Seagate 160gb 7200rpm SATA drive (I've also tried my WD120gb 7200 IDE drive, alone), 1 Termaltake 420W quiet PSU

Not sure what to do.. try a fresh formatted bare IDE drive with no other files? ( I say that because all of the HDDs that I've tested have had files that were exposed to the virus (if there was one), or atleast were up and running on the same machine as my o/s drive).

Thinking about trying the latest bios... and an older SATA driver... shrug... help pls.

 

[dodgybob]

I doubt a virus could do that. You're installing on a freshly formatted partition and the process of installing would not allow a dormant virus on the other partition to activate as it has no operating system to execute in.

It seems more a hardware issue. Since you mentioned that the 1st instance was the cpu overheating that could be the problem here. Try reducing the fsb and memory speed to 166Mhz to make it a xp2500+ or even reduce it to 133Mhz. It wouldn't change the install time much and if a reinstall was successful then it would indicate that you need to reseat your cpu cooler or get a more effective one.

I have the earlier a7n8x deluxe rev 1.04 and that didn't like a 400Mhz fsb. Admittedly this board was only really supposed to be able to do 333Mhz and I think yours has the later chipset which was designed to a do 400Mhz fsb.

My board also is not very reliable with temperature readings using the Asus probe utility so I would definitely try a bit of underclocking.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

"Can't read from CD" could indicate a damaged installation CD or problems with the CD/DVD drive, IDE cable or controller. Plug the harddisk into a different machine, copy the whole I386 dir to the harddisk, boot from a floppydisk and start the installation from the harddisk. If that works normally test around a bit to find out what part of the hardware gave the problems. If copying the files from the CD to the harddisk already takes ages, also on a different machine (or even breaks off with errors) it's the CD, if that works fine it may well be the drive.

 

[dhoytw]

Did you ever think that it could be possible that you damaged some hardware.....maybe even your processor due to the overheating issue>

 

[worcmai]

Well, I did clean out my HSF of dust, I have the thermalright slk900(a) with a good 90mm fan, and the temperatures are running at about 45c right now, so I will try underclocking, but I doubt the results will be any different.

As far as having damage to hardware... hmm I'm really not sure.. could you damage a cpu/motherboard from running it at temperatures around 60-62C max...? Thats about the lockup point and all... but heh I used to run my 1400 t-bird at those speeds alot and it would lockup all the time I just had to get better cooling.. and it was always fine afterwords...

Should I try a BIOS update?

As far as the DVD/CDROM issue goes... well I've tried two different DVDrom, and two different windows cds.. and with the problems I had before even formatting, I kinda doubt its either of those to blame.



*Just flashed to the latest bios, and still got a bluescreen while about halfway done installing windows XP pro. :-(

 

[worcmai]

I'm thinking it is a hardware issue... I doubt its the CPU, its not the memory... I may have to RMA this board... what are the chances of a board getting damaged from a cpu overheat lockup?

 

[pcmodem]

Have you done a test on the hard drive?

Recently had a similar problem, the hard drive turned out to be bad.

Also, if it's your IDE controller on the motherboard, which is possible, then changing out the DVD/CD drive won't have an effect.
-PCM

 

[worcmai]

What is a good way of testing the hard drive? I mean I tried two different hard drives, one WD120 7200RPM IDE, and 1 Seagate 160GB SATA 7200rpm, recommend a good bootup HDD diagnostic tool test?

Yeah I've tried different dvdroms, and cds... so I'm not sure at all...

*trying seagates and WD's hdd dos diagnostic tools to test the hard drives.

 

[pcmodem]

I'd go to your HDD vendor's website and check their support section to see if they have a downloadable utility for checking the HDD.

There are various tests they perform. Random seek tests, sector scans, etc.
-PCM

 

[worcmai]

Ok, I ran seagates diagnostics tests and the physical drives all passed, but every single partition failed the File Structure Test for both the SATA drive and my IDE drive.

Hmm, so does it look like I'm going to have to clean wipe these harddrives and format them or what?

 

[magomago]

also switch the IDE cables because i've seen that to be the plague of many things

 

[worcmai]

I troubleshooted every componant.. HDDs are fine, everything is fine... except the motherboard, its damaged, I guess having a cpu running at 62c for hours on end damaged it.. It's going to get RMAed, thanks for all the help guys.

Anyone know how long on average Asus RMA takes?