Problem with new build

[ansimo]

Ok so i am trying to instal windows xp, i get to the part where it askes you to make a partition of the disk. I can choose the ntbs file system, or run the ntbs file system (quick).
If i try to format the hdd with the regular way it goes to a installation screen with the percentage complete, and says wait while system is formated, and just sits there, i have left it for over 40 min and it just sits at 0%.
If i try the quick version it goes to a similar screen but actually proceeds to completion, the system then restarts. But upon starting it says error with loading OS, cannot find (windows root)\system32\hal.dll


i just don't know what i am doing wrong, please help it you can,
thanks

[glc]

That sounds like a defective or misjumpered hard drive or a bad drive cable.

[Kuch]

Post your computer specs. Are you using a newly purchased copy of XP?

[nosefirst]

Keep waiting. It took almost 3 hours to format my hard drive. (500GB) Stayed on 0% for a long time!!!! Wait for an hour this time.

[nosefirst]

Also,

I got a hal.dll also, but this after I had XP running. There is a function you can access similar to DOS that lets you look at and fix what's on your hard drive. Can't remember what its called or how I got there.

I used it and found out my OS was GONE!!! I reformatted using the "QUICK" selection, then reinstalled OS. It's been perfect rver since.

I think XP is a really 'picky' system. You have to do it just right. You will get there with help. Once its going properly, you'll be glad you got it.

[ansimo]

I think i figured out what my problem is, first off here is my computer


ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail

CHAINTECH SE6600G Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3550A - Retail

Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt SmartPower 2.0 ATX 12V V2.0 for AMD & Intel systems Power Supply - Retail

Track 1 NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive - OEM


So i think i figured out the first problem, i believe since it is a SATA hd i must install the SCSI driver, something like that, its the driver off of the asus cd for sata hd's, but my next problem, the driver needs to be on a floppy disk, which isn't a problem, but i cannot get my new floppy drive to work. When the computer turns on the green light of the floppy turns on, but instead of going off as it should it remains on. I remember hearing something about this problem but don't remember the solution.

i would appreciate the help
thanks

[nosefirst]

I don't think you will find an option like that on your asus CD. My disk didn't.

Why does it have to be on a floppy. I didn't use anything from a floppy.

Did you buy a new Windows XP? Or is it one thats been used on another rig?

New rig, I think you need new OS.

[Kuch]

You shouldn't have to install an SCSI driver unless you are getting an error message that points you into that direction.
When you access your BIOS, check to make sure you have SATA enabled. (Its on one of the menus if you search for it.)
Also, make sure the jumper on your HDD is set to to CS (cable select).
Try switching SATA ports on your MOBO. For whatever reason, Asus MOBOs are sometimes picky about which port you use. Let us know if you are still hung up.

[sgtspector]

The floppy drive light stays on because the cable is not on right. Look at the floppy connector on the mobo and see which pin is number one. Connect the cable to the floppy header on the mobo with the red wire on pin one. The other end should have the twisted wires on it. If your floppy drive doesnt indicate which pin is number one you'll just have to try it both ways until it's right. 50/50 chance. Next, I believe that mobo has native sata support. What you may need to do is enable it in the bios. HTH

[ansimo]

thanks for all of your replies, it has helped me figure out a few things,

i solved the floppy drive problem, it was just the cord was flipped wrong.

i figured out that i did not need to install the scsi drivers, the bios did recognize my hard drive. so i thought i was set.

and yet another problem

I tried to install windows, first by formatting my hdd, i let it sit for about 1hr at 0% then finally it started to progress up to about 26% and then to 57%, this was about 3 hrs from the start, i was happy because it seemed like things were working, then my hdd started making some clicking noises, sort of like the noise when a floppy drive it checking a disk. the noise was some what irregular, a couple of clicks a pause for a min then a few more, after a couple of minutes the screen switched to something like this

this is from memory, i did write the complete thing down but left it at home,

problem due to file: partmgr.sys

then it gave some coded numbers, i am not positive but something like this
00x00000, 00x0000000 00x3b0000,
i also wrote those down and will post the correct ones later today.

it said to try and restart the computer.

i did but now it wont recognize my hdd, the bios doesn't register it.

i hope that my hdd is not ruined, and if it is would i just be able to rma it to newegg for another

thanks

[ansimo]

well i think this is what it said, also i am sorry if it will take me a while to reply, inbetween being a student and working, finding the time for this newcomputer is tight, thanks for all of the help.

A problem has been detected and Windows has shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
The problems seems to be caused by the following file: Partmgr.sys

Driver_Unloaded_Without_canceling_Pending_Operations

If this is the first time you’ve sent his stop error screen restart your computer, if this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need.

If problem continues, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use safe mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select advanced startup options, and then select safe mode.

Technical Information:

*** STOP: 0x000000CE (0xf97b2667, 0x00000000, 0xf97b2667, 0x00000000)

partmgr.sys

[nosefirst]

Try it agin,....use the 'quick' option. READ...READ...READ!!!

[ansimo]

well when it loads the boot cd it gives the option of hitting enter:window setupt, r:repair, or F3:exit, if i try to access the windows setup it says something about device not found and will only let me exit, which makes it restart. i am unable to get to the part about using the "quick" option, or even the normal option

[Kuch]

Are you using a new, registered XP disk?

You should be able to download HDD diagnotics off the WD website. If you heard strange noises coming from the HDD, you may have a problem. Those diagnostic tools will also allow you to wipe the drive (assuming it is O.K.) and you should be able to try the installation again. It sounds like a bad HDD though.

I Googled your error message and found a site that dealt with the same issue if you want to look for yourself. The culprit was a bad HDD.

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Oper..._21629393.html

[glc]

nosefirst - NO. This is classic defective hard drive. You should *always* do a full format on a new hard drive to check it for exactly these problems. Use quick format at your own risk, I will only do that on a known proven good drive.

[ansimo]

it seems my bios no longer recognizes that i have a hdd connected, i have checked the connections a few times, i will try to do the diagnostic test, but it my bios doesn't register that my hdd is connected then what should i do,

i have a couple extra sata cords i could interchange that, but besides the sata cord that goes to the mother board there are two sets of wires that come from the psu, one is just a regular 4 pin power, the other is a special sata power line and there is only one of them.

i can also still hear that the hdd is making the clicking noise so i would assume it has power yet.

do you think that my hdd could just be dead on arival,
what would be the procedure to do if it was, this is my first build and first time buying from newegg,
yeah i knew the putting the parts together was the easy part, the boot up was what worried me and my concern rang true, oh well

thanks for the replies

[glc]

If the bios doesn't even see it any more and it's clicking, I'm now positive you have a defective hard drive. Contact your vendor or Western Digital for a warranty replacement.

The only other possibility is if you connected both the standard 4 pin *and* the flat SATA power connector to the drive, that won't work and can damage the drive. You can use only one or the other, SATA preferred.

[nosefirst]

Yes, I didn't read the original post carefully. READ, READ, READ!!!

Pardon me. I agree with your conclusion.

[Kuch]

You should be able to return the HDD for a new one fairly easily. HDDs are usually pretty durable, but some of them can be temperamental if handled incorrectly. Follow the documentation that comes with the new HDD and you should be fine.

[ansimo]

yeah, i really wish i would have read something about not connecting both of those at the same time. the hdd didn't come with any paperwork to speak of, and of the 5 or so sets of guides that i read , i did not see anything mentioning that caution for sata hdd. also after looking at western digital's website, it did take a little looking, but i did find something that said to hook up either the 4 prong standard power or the sata power plug, but i thought it was odd that it just said to hook up either one, and didn't caution about damage it both were hooked up, i would think they would maybe write in big bold writing to not do what i did. oh well

thanks for all of the help