New build problem... Vista issues/instablity...

S

SAgosto

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
491
I built a HTPC and I cannot seem to keep it stable. The ONLY negative thing is that the 2 HD are used and I had a SATA cable issue (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1275996) that does not appear to be an issue as I am currently formatting one of the HD via a Blu-Ray drive (both SATA) without issue. I must admit that I didn't notice a way to format the disc when I attempted to install Vista and just skipped it. Perhaps that is my issue?

Here's my setup:

Antec Black/silver MicroATX Case w/ 380W PS (NSK2480)

AMD Athlon 64 5400+ 2.8GHz (ADO5400IAA5DO)
GIGABYTE AM2 AMD 690V Micro ATX (GA-MA69GM-S2H)
GIGABYTE EVR Sleeve CPU Cooler (GH-PDU22-SC)

Patriot Extreme Performance 2X1GB 240-Pin DDR800/PC26400 Dual Channel RAM (PDC22G6400ELK) (Does it matter what slot they are in? I believe I put them in the last/farthest two away)

POWERCOLOR HD 3450 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 (AX3450)

Seagate 500GB SATA 3.0GB 720RPM 16MB Cache HD (ST3500641AS)
Seagate 500GB SATA 3.0GB 720RPM 16MB Cache HD (ST3500641AS)

Pioneer SATA Blu-Ray DVD-ROM/12X DVD±R DVD Burner (BDC-202BK)

NETGEAR 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Adapter (WG311)

VidaBox Premium Wireless Keyboard with Optical Trackball (ACC-BT-KBOTB)

I've gotten all of my CDs via Bittorent. I am a valid MSDN partner so I have valid keys so the CD's themselves can be suspect. But all of them? Can't find ANYTHING in EventLog!

Here's what I did:

Installed Vista Home Basic (Disc #1)

Crashed during installation of Windows Updates several times
Crashed a few times during boot up
Crashed a few times while copying files, etc..

Realized I couldn't get Home Premium without going through hopes so reinstalled new OS

Installed Vista Ultimate (Disc #1)

Crashed during installation of Windows Updates several times
Crashed a few times during boot up
Crashed a few times while copying files, etc..
Crashed while watching a video on PowerDVD
Just random things.

Same after full Windows Updates
Installed SP1
Same

Installed Vista X64 Ultimate (Disc #2)
Wouldn't install. Random files seem to be missed. Always a different one.

Installed Vista Home Premium (Disc #1)
Appear stable at first
Crashed during Windows Updates
Several BSOD while doing random things. Never a pattern

Installing Windows XP Media Center (Disc #3)
Install says XP Professional. I am hoping it isn't but it's a valid test. I been formating the 500GB HD for the last few hours and doing to see if it installs. If it does, I will probably install Vista on the other HD again to see if I get lucky.

Also, Vista X64 Business has been ROCK solid on my other PC after I replaced the nVidia card with my ATI HD 3850.

Any advice? I am about ready to throw it out in the street.
 
XP Media Center installed after the format of the HD. I didn't get a chance to use it much but it appeared to be ok just by clicking around and opening and closing windows.

I went to reinstall Vista on Disc #1 but it would freeze/re-display "Install Now" window over and over again, and then a BSOD. Looks like a possible bad disc? I'll get another one.
 
Do you really think you could have so many bad cd's? Try an "original" cd to see if the install works with no errors. If it crashes with the original, start ruling out hardware problems.

1) Run MemTest on each individual stick
2) Run Hard Drive Diagnostics
3) Replaces PSU, MB if the above dont find the problem.

Whatever you do, dont make any more downloaded cd's:D
 
lol im gonna say the same thing two threads in a row.. checked ur sata cables lately?? ;)
 
samops03 said:
1) Run MemTest on each individual stick
Click to expand...
....actually, I'd run MemTest86+ on all the memory first, just as it's installed. 24 hours with no errors is the minimum. If you get errors, fall back to testing one stick at a time to isolate a bad stick or determine dual channel compatibility of the memory and the motherboard.

You may find the Ultimate Boot CD pretty handy to have, as it'll have Memtest86+ (and others), system tests, and most every manufacturer's hard drive diagnostic there is.

Good luck - :cool:
 
gaspah said:
lol im gonna say the same thing two threads in a row.. checked ur sata cables lately?? ;)
Click to expand...

XP appears to be working fine? I haven't done much stress testing.

BlindedByScience said:
....actually, I'd run MemTest86+ on all the memory first, just as it's installed. 24 hours with no errors is the minimum. If you get errors, fall back to testing one stick at a time to isolate a bad stick or determine dual channel compatibility of the memory and the motherboard.

You may find the Ultimate Boot CD pretty handy to have, as it'll have Memtest86+ (and others), system tests, and most every manufacturer's hard drive diagnostic there is.

Good luck - :cool:
Click to expand...

I got that CD. I'll do some testing today. But, XP appears to be fine so that's positive.
 
sorry i mustv missed that bit...:( but it is usually an intermittent problem... so it cant hurt to swap them... they're what $1 each??
 
unplug one of the HD before you install windows vista.

also, the bsod error code might help to identify the problem, try and note down the error code and post it here.
 
My new Patriot memory failed all 3 memory tests on my Hiren Boot CD!

I took 2GB out of my main rig and it failed one test but passed the next two. Hmm. I'm going to try and reload Vista and then send back the memory to NewEgg if it works out. I might have some light in the tunnel!
 
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