Built but not loading Windows

[gubernatorial]

I have built my first computer. Here is a list of the parts that I have --
-Xion Case with a 450 watt power supply
-pqi TURBO 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered System Memory Model PQI26400-1GSB
-Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6L250S0 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
-ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
-GIGABYTE GV-NX76G256D-RH Geforce 7600GS 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Silent Pipe
-AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Orleans 2000MHz HT Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA3200CNBOX
-BenQ 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model DW1655

I have everything installed and when I turn it on everything powers up. I get the asus startup screen. Then things start getting kind of iffy. Sometimes it freezes up on a black screen with a blinking cursor in the upper left corner. Othertimes I get some message about "Drive Scan done. No any drive detected." Usually after this message it begins the windows loading process. I get a screen saying it is scanning my hardware. Then the screen goes blue with the message "Windows Installation". Most of the time it will then freeze up when it begins installing the first file "Executive" Once or twice it has, I think, finished all the install files and I get the message "Now loading Windows" Everytime I have gotten that far the whole system locks up. Once I got the following message.
"A problem has been detected and Window has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

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

Run a diagnostic utility supplied by your hardware manufacturer. In particular, run a memory check, and check for faulty or mismatched memory. Try changing video adapters.

Disable or remove any newly installed hardware and drivers. Disable or remove any newly installed software. 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."

Someone please help. I feel like I am so close to finally getting this thing up and going.

[Alaron]

My first suspicion is your power supply. The PSU included in Xion cases are poor quality and they do not have dual 12V rails which any build with PCI-E requires. I would replace it asap. A quality power supply will keep the system stable.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103933

[jfk]

Here's another vote for the PSU. I wouldn't trust the PSU that came with that case. Get an Antec, Enermex, FSP Fortron Source or even an XClio.

[gubernatorial]

Ok, I'll go for getting a better power supply. Is there any other spec that I should be looking for in a new one? I noticed the requirement for the dual 12V rails. I suppose SLI support is important. I'm browsing the newegg lists and some of the other features listed are main connector size, modular cable support and PFC. I'm using the computer for typical home applications and some casual gaming. I doubt I will be doing any extravagant add-ons (like dual video cards or the like) in the future. Thanks for the input.

[jayb1234]

Yes SLI support is important.

You need to use a certified power supply to run 2 cards in SLI mode.

However if you are not going to add a second video card, you don't need a certified PSU.

For SLI the Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 would be a good choice.

A smaller PSU would be OK if you aren't going to add a second card, but would have to be replaced if you do.

Antec, Enermax, FSP, Sparkle are all pretty good.

Antec is what I would get, but the FSP and Sparkle units are a little less expensive if the budget is tight.

You want an ATX 2.0 unit, the more power on the +12V rails the better.

Modular cables are mostly a gimmick and actually degrade the performance and dependability of the unit because of the extra connections and the increased impedance that they cause.

Almost any PSU with lights in it is likely to be junk too.

Active PFC would be best, then passive, then no pfc.

[glc]

I would also question the ram compatibility. The AM2 memory controller is very very fussy. I would not build an Asus AM2 with any ram that is not on the Asus QVL. You should also be using a dual channel ram kit.

[gubernatorial]

Is there any particular reason to opt for the dual memory? I am searching the QVL and am having a hard time finding the listed products on newegg in a dual stick option. I found a recommended 1GB memory stick, but that is the closest I have been able to find.

[glc]

How much ram do you want - 1gb or 2gb? If you want 1gb, just buy 2 modules of something that's on the QVL if you can't find it in a dual channel kit. We do have a report from one member that Corsair XMS2 works fine, even though it's not on the list.

Running ram in dual channel improves performance.

[gubernatorial]

Thanks for the feedback and answers everyone. I've decided to go with the Antec Truepower II PSU and two sticks of Kingston 512 MB memory sticks from the Asus list. Newegg says that everything will be here on Tuesday, which I happen to have off of work, so I'll be able to spend the day getting everything straight.

[gubernatorial]

So, I got the new power supply and the memory via UPS today. I got everything installed and it powered right up. There were no hang ups or crashes. It jumped right to my DVD drive and started loading windows. All the files installed and it got to the message where it said "Loading Windows" Now I am getting the following message everytime it moves past "Loading Windows" --

"A problem has been detected and Window has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

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

Run a diagnostic utility supplied by your hardware manufacturer. In particular, run a memory check, and check for faulty or mismatched memory. Try changing video adapters.

Disable or remove any newly installed hardware and drivers. Disable or remove any newly installed software. 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."

I know the power supply and memory helped because previously I wasn't even getting that far consistently. But now I have hit another wall. I have tried booting up with just the video card, keyboard, HD and DVD connected so as to minimize the number of new devices it had to contend with, but it made no difference. Any suggestions?

[Panama Red]

If you have both sticks of memory installed, try it with just one.

[gubernatorial]

I have tested it with just one memory stick (both of them one at a time actually) and I am still getting the same error. This is killing me...my first new computer in about nine years and I have a copy of Civ IV that I can't play until I get this thing going...ARGHHH!!! Sorry 'bout that, just had to get that out of my system. Anyone else got some suggestions?

[minsonngo]

Try download the HDD diagnostic utility from Maxtor and test your HDD for any problems.

This probably is not the problem but have you tried swapping out your DVD drive? I have had a few problems with BenQ drives dying on me in the past. But I really don't think this would be causing you the problems. If you have extra SATA cables or IDE cables try swapping them in too.

[gubernatorial]

OK, I've tried swapping out the SATA cables and had no effect. I've been mulling over how to run the diagnostic utility. The problem is that my old computer is not SATA enabled (the thing is nigh unto 9 years old if that gives you any clue to the technology it has) so I can't just swap the new HDD into my old box and check it out.
Thoughts and musings -- I've noticed a message, during the startup before it tries to load Windows, saying something about "Detect drives done, no any drive found". Also, I believe there are jumpers on the hardware. I know there is one on the DVD drive and think that there might be one on the HDD. Would they be interfering in anything?
Do any of the chain electronics stores (Best Buy, Circuit City etc.) offer any kind of diagnosis center or something? I just don't know what to do about this.

[gubernatorial]

I got the HDD diagnostic utility off the Maxtor site. I tried using it in the order that they told me but only one particular option, the quick low level format, actually told me the drive was failing. If I had followed the instructions according to how they suggested I diagnose and contact them, I never would have gotten that far. Anyway, I sent the drive back to newegg, and they credited me the money back, which I then used to get a Western Digital Caviar that was on sale. I'm glad they didn't try to send me a replacement for the Maxtor, because I've been reading more and more reviews and it seems that 60-70% of the drives ordered arrive dead. So, I should be going full tilt sometime Wednesday evening, or more likely Thursday after spending all night Wed. downloading driver updates and such. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and support.

[chuck4456]

How is your Boot Configuration lined up? What are you using as first boot device? How do you have these items jumpered?

[PC_Man]

Well my PC had a similar problem basically going into a blue screen when Im trying to install windows XP.
The problem that I had was that I was using a Windows XP (non-sp1 or sp2).
I ended up fixing the issue and Windows installed perfectly after using a Windows XP SP2 CD.
Don't know if this will help you but worth a try.

Cheers


SPECS
---------
Thermaltake TaiChi
ASUS AM2N32 SLI Deluxe
AMD AM2 X2 5000
(OCZ Gold 1GBX2 5400)
ASUS 512MB 7900 GTX PE
Creative Labs Xi-Fi Sound Card
400 GB HDD SATA II Seagate
550 Watts Antec Trupower V2

[minsonngo]

Glad that we were able to help you out. Lets us know how the new HDD goes.

Oh an never go to BestBuy (Geek Squad) to get your computer repaired or upgraded, they will rip you off. Either do it yourself or take it to a local "Mom & Pop" shop.

[gubernatorial]

I have a new Western Digital HDD and it works like a charm. This is my first new unit in over 8 years so you can imagine how much I have needed this upgrade. I even have a hookup to my HD LCD TV so I get to play in 26" widescreen glory. Thanks for all y'alls help.

[minsonngo]

I'm glad the new WD HDD work out for you. Happy computing!