Hard time installing windows.

[MG22]

So I built the PC, and so far so good. Except for some minor errors.

One of them is ACPI? Telling me the BIOS doesn't fully recognize it. It tells me to update the BIOS, or press F7 to skip. So I do it, and I get to the install windows screen. Half way through the installation it then tells me there is an error, that COM wont work when windows loads and to call Microsoft. After that, the PC hangs and has to be restarted.

Are these minor problems that can be fixed easily? I just hope it's not the board.

 

[spherrod]

Can you post your system specs? Is your motherboard BIOS updated to the latest revision?

 

[MG22]

Chaintech Zenith Value Edition VNF3-250, AMD Sempron 2600, 1GB PC 3200, DVD/CDRW, ATI Radeon 9800 Pro, 120 GB Seagate HD. Windows XP Home...

I just got the motherboard and CPU the other day. I'm building an internet PC for my father, and I'm just giving him some of my older stuff along with it.

 

[spherrod]

Ok, so have you downloaded and installed the latest mobo BIOS from here and then run a fresh installation?

http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/Download/dl_desc.asp?DCSNo=4&PISNo=276

 

[MG22]

I have no idea how to install it.

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: MG22
I have no idea how to install it.

It's a BIN file so you'll need to download it and burn it with a CD Burning program - I would guess it creates a Bootable disc which you then startup the PC from and it will run the update.

 

[MG22]

So just burn it to a blank CD, and hope that it installs with no problems, then try to install XP again?

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: MG22
So just burn it to a blank CD, and hope that it installs with no problems, then try to install XP again?

You need to install it with the Burn as Image option - what CD burning program do you have?

 

[MG22]

I got Windows to install, but I'm getting errors left and right. I try to install SP2, some files can't copy. I try to run a program from the CD, and I get some error, can't continue. I wonder if the HD is corrupted or something.

 

[spherrod]

Download and run memtest - see if that works properly (leave it running for several hours)

http://www.memtest86.com/

Also, can you list the full system specs of the machine, particularly what PSU is installed?

 

[imported_nocturne]

A BIOS BIN FILE IS NOT A CD IMAGE
It's an image of the bios chip. This is the normal format used to flash most BIOS's.

http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/Download/BIOS/engBIOSv2.doc

Chaintech offers their own instructions. Although it is written in engrish, it's relatively easy to understand. If you have a floppy drive, copy the bin file to a disk, reboot, press alt+f2 to load BIOS update, and go through the little wizard to load it off of the disk. If you don't have a floppy drive, you need to create a bootable cd with the bin file and the AWD Flash Utility downloaded from the chaintech website. Boot to the cd and execute the awdflash with the bin file in the string (run DIR command, if files are awdflash.exe and blablabla.bin run "awdflash.exe blablabla.bin"). It will run the flash program and update your bios.

If your mobo is telling you to update the BIOS, you NEED to update the BIOS. Also, it might be a good idea to slipstream a copy of XP and SP2 (i'd use nLite (google it)), so that any incompatibilities can be sorted out at install.

 

[imported_nocturne]

Also, to disable ACPI in the windows install, there is a F-key to press when it asks you to press f# to load a raid driver. You can choose standard PC (no power management) which can fix some problems, but you'll have to use the power button to turn off the computer. Might as well just update the bios and check the bios settings regarding memory settings and power management, and then reinstall XPsp2

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: nocturne
A BIOS BIN FILE IS NOT A CD IMAGE
It's an image of the bios chip. This is the normal format used to flash most BIOS's.

http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/Download/BIOS/engBIOSv2.doc

Chaintech offers their own instructions. Although it is written in engrish, it's relatively easy to understand. If you have a floppy drive, copy the bin file to a disk, reboot, press alt+f2 to load BIOS update, and go through the little wizard to load it off of the disk. If you don't have a floppy drive, you need to create a bootable cd with the bin file and the AWD Flash Utility downloaded from the chaintech website. Boot to the cd and execute the awdflash with the bin file in the string (run DIR command, if files are awdflash.exe and blablabla.bin run "awdflash.exe blablabla.bin"). It will run the flash program and update your bios.

If your mobo is telling you to update the BIOS, you NEED to update the BIOS. Also, it might be a good idea to slipstream a copy of XP and SP2 (i'd use nLite (google it)), so that any incompatibilities can be sorted out at install.

good info - never had a BIOS update in .bin format before

 

[MG22]

This seems complicated for a new motherboard. It's probably something I shouldn't be doing to avoid ruining it. What would running memtest do? I have no idea how to use that either.

 

[spherrod]

If you follow the BIOS upgrade carefully, you won't ruin the motherboard. Read the instructions Nocturne has linked to very thoroughly before proceeding. As for memtest it will stress test the memory on your system and show up any faults. It involves downloading a CD image which you then boot from to start the diagnostic process.