Windows Vista installation problem

[bacho]

Ok, I built a system using an ABIT KN8 (non SLI). I got a new legit copy of windows vista through my university software purchasing program. I went through the installation step up when I first put in the disk. Put in the product key and selected the hard drive. It installed it and reset the computer. As it goes through the restart after the installing it says "verifying DMI pull data...." then it says "disk read error: hit control, ALT, delete to restart". I changed the boot sequence in the BIOS from Hard Disk to CD, it goes to boot from the CD and I get the same thing. Is there something that I need to do for a SATA drive? or helpful comments in general. BTW i called microsoft nad the phone support is not there until the 30th.

[mairving]

Is this a set of CD's or a DVD? If it is a set of CD's have you looked on the disks to make sure they don't have smudges? Also are these the disks that MS ships or copies of the original?

[bacho]

It is a burned dvd from the school and they give the key with the copies for the student. There is no smudges.

[mairving]

I would see if they will burn you another copy just to make sure it wasn't the DVD. The disk read error indicates that there may be a problem with the disk.

[bacho]

I installed it to the hard drive and once the installation was complete it restarted and would not boot after the installation restart.

[mairving]

See if either one of these helps:
http://forum.abit-usa.com/showthread.php?t=1898
http://www.duxcw.com/faq/computer/dmi.html

[bacho]

Ok, Found the problem. I have a western digital hard drive. I got the Vista to install and when it went to boot I recieved a hardware failure. I go to western digital website and guess what they dont have the drivers for Vista yet, not until the release date. So I will have to get another hard drive. I think that Seagate has the drivers for their hard drives. I will be calling them tomorrow. Unless some of you know a different manufacture that has drivers for their hard drives.

[bacho]

So is there anyone that knows if there is one? As far Western digital is concerned there isnt drivers.

But in all these "build a vista machine" article, they suggest using a western digital hard drive.

Does not make sense.

[rjfvillarosa]

If it is an IDE or SATA drive you do not need drivers Vista will have the necessary drivers to make the harddrive work, if you are considering a raid setup then you will need to load third party raid drivers during the installation of Vista.

[bacho]

It is a SATA drive and no it didnt work. I installed Windows XP Pro with no problem, but after successfully installing vista to the hard drive both over windows XP and fresh, it would not boot off the hard drive. It had a hardware failure notice.

[glc]

Threads merged - please do not start a new thread on the same issue.

Hard drives do NOT need drivers. Controllers do.

[kev7555]

It's not your drive. I'm running several versions of Vista on WD hard drives.

-Kev

[MaxRat]

have you tried running the WD diagnostic tools...

Not sure what chipset you have at the moment but I remember having issue with my Abit AV8 and Vista

I this drive is a older drive it will install fine...could be a compatability issue with how it's installing...I also have different Versions of Vista installed various drives...but at the moment it's only installed on Hitatchi and Seagate drives...but I have had it on WD drives without issue....what model of drive do you have...?
and what version of Vista are you trying to install...?

[bacho]

i am running an Abit KN8 ultra an was wondering abount updating the bios. The Bios that came on it was from 5/15/06. All was purchased brand new last month.

[bacho]

WD Caviar SE16 250 gig is the one I have.

[MaxRat]

do you have access to another hard drive to test with..? just for giggle I would try installing it on another drive...

also...Vista is picky about ram...before installing it...run the memory diagnostics and make sure it passes...

[bacho]

Given up...system is going with XP Pro. I know the OS like the back of my hand and I tired to trying. After reading several articles, I am going to let the different things be solved after the release which I am waiting to see how that goes. Right now I think it is a BIOS issue with my mother board. I am updating it with the lastest version and then it is to putting all my stuff on it. I am build the machine for computer graphics not gaming. I have talked with several computer engineers who have test Vista and they say it bogs the machinces down big time. I have also come across and read that Vista is very memory sensitive.

I will the problems be hashed out and then I will think about it, until then I want to play with the computer not work on it.

[MaxRat]

for games you'd be better off anyhow...Vista doesnt really bog down the pc...but it needs 2gig of ram to run good...so that would put you at 4gig for gaming...plus xp is a little faster..