P4 installation problem?

Question

I have a P4 2.40GHz 40GB 512MB computer.

The problem occurs during installation.

I tried installing windows xp pro (legit), some errors occurs about 30% of the installation. Sometimes it cannot read the disk. I tried replacing the HDD, memory, CDROM and even copied the installer to a new disk that worked in other computer but same thing happens.

I tried intalling ubuntu and takes more than 1 hour just to be on the 3 step of the installation.

In other words, I cannot install any operating system on it.

Is there a software that can detect the memory, HDD, motherboard, and other stuffs prior to installation?

Answer 1

If this XP disk won't install on another computer, it's the disk. I had a similar problem. It took me two CD ROM drives to figure it out and two machines. I phoned Microsoft Help. At first they refused to admit it could be the disk until I became very insistent that I had gone through the processes to determine it could not be anything else. So, call them but expect hassle. I finally got a replacement disk in the mail.

It's wierd that you can't install a linux OS either. Was this setup ever working with another OS installed? If not, you could have some random stuff going on in your M/B or processor. But to me, it still sounds like disk probs -- either with your reader or your HDD.

It's possible as well that a virus has infected the boot sector of the HDD. If you had a USB drive or floppy in, it could have even transferred. But that sounds unlikely.

You could try running off a CD with a self-contained OS for awhile to see if the system can be run stably. If it can, then it's a disk problem.

Answer 2

If the CD drive is on the same ribbon cable as the HDD, try separating them. HDD on IDE1 and CD on IDE2. Make sure you use the 80 wire ribbon (finer wires) for the HDD and the 40 wire ribbon on the CD drive. The other way around will still work but will slow down the HDD.

The BIOS is supposed to detect memory SPD and set the right timings and to auto detect the HDD and set the right parameters. Other parameters that are supposed to be supported by the motherboard are in the BIOS. Try loading "Fail-safe Defaults" in BIOS then save and exit.

Answer 3

Try a newer version bios. You might be having translation problems with the HD mapping or low level hardware interface problems that a newer version could fix. You should also be able to find software from any HD manufacturer website that is self booting and able to properly diagnose the disk for any problems it might have.

Answer 4

First try working with a stay LINUX CD with merely the bare device no OS put in on it . you would know no rely in case your device has mechanical/hardware issues on it . in case your device has no such issues then you quite can try to get to load XP. what OS did you have in the previous you put in XP. Get a DEBIAN/KNOPPIX based stay linux CD or LINUX MINT version 5 or 6 to aim.