Need assistance in troubleshooting first build.

[guy incognito]

Hi, I just put together my first build using the PCMech BYOPC tutorial. The hardware installation went smoothly but I hit a road block at initial PC startup. Here is what happened:

(1) Pressed the front panel power switch, LED light turned blue
(2) PSU powered up, all fans are working
(3) Monitor responds, goes through startup screen
(4) Computer beeps and before Windows XP loads, I am asked if I want to load 'normal startup', 'last configuration that worked' or 'safe mode,' etc.
(5) Whichever option I select, the computer beeps, restarts and goes through the initial startup screen and back to the screen with the options for 'safe mode', 'last configuration that worked' and 'normal mode', etc.

Please note that when starting the computer, I was able to get into BIOS. Within BIOS, the system recognized all the components that were attached (CPU, 4 gigs of RAM, dvd drive, ide harddrive). I also saw that the CPU was running at 42 degrees celsius (not optimal from what I've read but still nothing unusual). I loaded the optimal BIOS settings, saved and exited. Then when I went through the normal startup, same thing described in steps 1-5 happened.

Here is my build:
MSI 785GTM-E45 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard:
Newegg.com - MSI 785GTM-E45 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2
Newegg.com - OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7

SAMSUNG 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 4X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24x DVD Burner - Bulk LightScribe Support - CD / DVD Burners

COOLER MASTER Elite 341 RC-341C-KKN1-GP Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 341 RC-341C-KKN1-GP Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case

With regard to the harddrive, I am using my old harddrive (Hitachi Deskstar, 90 GB IDE) which has Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed and not much more. Lastly, I tried swapping out the RAM with a single stick of RAM that I knew was in working condition and I keep getting the same 'error'.

Thanks for your help.

[glc]

You have to reinstall Windows. You are experiencing a normal problem when you move an existing hard drive from a different computer.

[guy incognito]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I didn't have a copy of Windows XP so I downloaded and installed Ubuntu 10.14. Everything is running smoothly so far!

After taxes, shipping and rebates, the total cost of my system came out to approximately $305. And I'm loving Ubuntu...can't believe it's free!

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I got the cpu + mobo from Fry's for about $110 AR.