Computer problems, please help

[imported_AFI]

I been having a problem with the new system i built, and i cannot figure it out.

I found this website searching google, and i decided to register, and ask you guys for help.

When i goto install an operating system such as MDK Linux, or Windows XP, they just won't install. As soon as Mandrake Linux gets to the part of the install, when it makes the file systems & formats, i get an error. The error i get is "partition of hda something failed". Now when i goto install Windows XP, it be begins to copy files, then it stops and i get a blue screen error. I thought maybe my hard drive was bad, because all these system parts are brand new except the hard drive, and RAM, so i bought a new hard drive.. still the same issue. I have now 2 hard drives, one set as master, other set as slave, and both are on the same IDE cable. My bios shows the hard drives... but i cant seem to install an OS. I also tried using different IDE cables, and still same issue. Someone told me this could an issue with my ram, so i ran memtest86, and i took a picture of what it's showing.. i don't understand it. Is my ram bad? Could this be a RAM problem? I don't have anymore RAM to see if thats the case or not.

My system specs are

AMD Athlon XP 2200+
Asus A7N8X motherboard
512 MB DDR RAM (in one slot)
Seagate 40GB 7200 HD
Seagate 80GB 7200 HD
Sound Blaster Live 5.1
GeForce FX 5200
24x10x40 CD-RW

And heres the link to the picture i uploaded of what memtest86 says.
http://home.comcast.net/~kohr/pictures/memtest86.jpg

 

[imported_raybay]

Your hard drive is not properly set up. Why the frenetic choice between Linux and Windows? You have chosen all good equipment, but...
Do you have the proper IDE Cable? You should be using an ATA 100/133 with 80 conductors, 40 connectors X 2, and no longer than 30 inches. If that is the case, I assume you have the Seagate hard drive setup utility. I would use the Seagate utility disk to partition and reformat each of the drives as NTFS if you are going to use Windows XP. Then install the larger hard drive for now, assuming you have the correct cable. Do you have a controller card for the 80 GB? or does the Asus have controllers for a drive that large and fast. If Asus doesn't have the controller, you should shell out more moolah for an ATA 100/133 controller card before you start to install Windows XP.

 

[imported_AFI]

I am using ATA 100/133 cables. I also tried using the seagate disk utlity and did make the format, and did set up NTFS. During the install of Windows when it was time to copy files, i get a blue screen error, with no information about what caused it. I normally run Linux, i dislike Windows, but i was trying to install Win since Nix wouldn't install, oh and the mobo has the controllers onboard.

 

[imported_raybay]

Ok, good reasoning. I cannot load your image memtest86 screen due to being on a borrowed computer with a slow ISP. I assume that memtest86 image is significant since you posted it it. What basically does it say? You have 512 MB. Does it read that way? Does that screen show errors. There will be a column with passing memory addresses and a column with bad or failing memory addresses. If you have ANY failing addresses, your memory is bad... at least with that machine. If so, pull and re-seat your memory. The error message you described is normally because the hard drive is not set up, but you can also get it if there is a bad memory module, because there isn't enough memory to run the install. Windows thinks that the partition is too small. The error addresses will tell you where. Sometimes you can google those address numbers to get more information if you don't have a manual handy. If your hard drives are good, then part of your memory is either bad, seated incorrectly, or incorrect for that motherboard. Sometimes all you need to do is tell your BIOS the memory you are using. I would buy a small DDR memory module to test, or borrow one. The fact that both Mandrake and Windows failed in generally the same way tells me you either have bad memory or improperly installed hard drive, and since you have two hard drives, it has to be the memory. Do you have a Windows 98 boot disk laying around? or even a ME boot disk. Try some simple things with either of those, looking only at your fundamentals... even FDisk. Attempt to remove all partitions, then repartition. Then shutdown, restart, and format. If your memory is bad it most likely will show up when you do this.

 

[imported_AFI]

I already tried using fdisk, still same issue when i goto install. I just tried installing Windows XP again, and it starts copying files then says gets past like 20% or something then says "Setup cannot copy the file: sonydcam.sys".

When i ran memtest86 it showed MANY MANY numbers under Errors. Under ECC errors it said 0.

 

[imported_raybay]

Sonydcam.sys is where Windows got to when it quit... a memory issue. ECC is a type of memory. It would have reported zero since you are not testing ECC memory. Looks like your module is bad. Take it to a good technician shop to be sure. Good shops have sophisticated memory test machines. They will probably charge you $15 and take a day out of your life. Memtest 86 is good, but not great. Yet, the other signs and symptom are indicative of a memory module failure. Order more today from www.kahlon.com, www.kingston.com, www.crucial.com, or www.tigerdirect.com and it will be there on Monday. Luckily, DDR is now very inexpensive. Did you have name brand DDR or no-name? If you had crucial, they charge more but they replace it for free.

 

[imported_AFI]

So the memory is bad? I just need to buy some new memory? I got to the bluescreen to windows, and took a picture of that.

http://home.comcast.net/~kohr/pictures/windows.jpg

The error says

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

PAGE_FAULT-IN-NONPAGED_AREA

If this is the first time you've seen this 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 the problems continue, 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: 0x000000050 (0xE15819D8, 0x00000001, 0x80536EDC, 0x00000001)

Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete
contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance."

 

[imported_dualblade]

before assuming the memory is bad, make sure it's set up in bios correctly. memory will fail when it's run too fast or at incorrect timings. make sure you know your timings, as spd isn't always correct.


edit:

at what point do ata cables lose their signal? i just purchased a pair of 36" cables to be used for a cdrw and a dvd drive, as my case is a custom deal and the devices will be pretty far away from the motherboard. am i going to have problems with this?

 

[huesmann]

Set your RAM to Optimal settings in BIOS, if you still get memory errors, try rearranging the sticks in the slots, or reseating.

 

[imported_AFI]

I did.... and i tried different slots....