OS Install Errors

[DanF]

I am encountering issues with an XP era system. I know you might say it's not worth spending time and money on such a PC, but....

XP won't install with copying files issue. If it manages to install, then it simply won't boot.

- Errors could be BSODs and/or missing files errors
- If OS installs and boots, it immediately informs that critical files are corrupted and that you need to run chkdsk. Chkdsk fixes a lot of errors, but it never works.
- Tried different media and also Win 7 (Win 7 stopped with a x19 BSOD during formatting)
- Tried different IDE Cable
- Tried a different HDD
- Used an external Optical Drive
- Tested memory for almost 24 hours with no errors
- HDD tested OK

Any suggestions about this? Thanks

 

[nlinecomputers]

PSU, CPU, and Motherboard are all that is left to test. If it isn't power then it probably isn't worth fixing. But have you examined the mobo for leaking caps?

 

[Markverhyden]

OEM or white box?

What were the symptoms prior to service?

Flashed BIOS?

Tried Linux?

 

[nlinecomputers]

Oh and it is real hard to help with hardware problems when you don't bother to mention what the hardware is.

 

[DanF]

Lots of replies in a short time. Thank you all. To answer your questions:

- No leaking caps identified
- Initial problem was XP not booting due to a missing file (replacing the file didn't help).
- Haven't tried installing Linux.
- Intel Celeron D, 2.5GB of memory in 3 modules, Asus P5VD1-X

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5VD1X/

- Additional PCI cards I haven't tried to remove: GF4 MX VGA, NIC.
- Didn't try a new PSU yet.

 

[JARISOCS]

Does the storage config in the BIOS match the HDD?

 

[DanF]

Everything seems to be reported / set good in BIOS.

In case of XP it just stops randomly while copying files, with error 'cannot copy file... '.

 

[JARISOCS]

Do you have known good memory to test just for shiggles? Or try one stick at a time? Bad memory makes the most sense to me even though it tested OK.

 

[nlinecomputers]

It has onboard video and network. Video card I understand as it is an upgrade. But why the NIC?

 

[nlinecomputers]

Also test the PSU. Soggy power could be the issue here.

 

[DanF]

Trying that right now... agreed. Fortunately I have an old system a client gave when purchasing a new one. Stock DDR finished long time ago and they're not quite worth getting replacements nowadays.

Installation proceeding fine at the moment.

 

[DanF]

Malfunctioning onboard ethernet port.

It has onboard video and network. Video card I understand as it is an upgrade. But why the NIC?

 

[nlinecomputers]

Well that just put the mobo at the top of the list.

 

[DanF]

Yep, onboard ethernet ports are often damaged over here. Do you also encounter lots of malfunctioning ethernet ports? And you're right about saying that most probably the board ends up failing soon after.

... replaced memory moving on well so far. If everything remains fine with the replaced memory, then it's going to be difficult ruling the odd one out of 3 modules!

 

[DanF]

Hey guys... everything looks OK with thew new pair of DDR modules.

Considering this might be a RAM issue, I guess I'll have to test the 3 of them one by one!

 

[Frozwire]

Considering the symptoms that the machine showed, It's probably a bad RAM stick I think, probably one or two of the modules.