Issue; can't install Windows XP

[Smartidiot89]

I just got myself a "new" 40GB IDE harddrive from a buddy which I was going to use for some benching.

The problem is that I can boot with it, delete/create partitions and format but once installation starts my screen suddenly looses contact with my VGA(black screen/standby), and my DVD/HDD stops working.

Tried both Windows XP Pro 32-bit and Corporate 32-bit but the issue still remains. The disk worked flawlessly when he had it, and when i first put it into my comp it successfully launched Windows 7 which was preinstalled.

For everyday use I use a SATA drive with Windows Vista 64-bit so could it be some sort of BIOS option I've forgotten about? System I am trying to do this with is in sign.

[DAK1640]

Possible that your DVD is bad ?

[Smartidiot89]

Possible that your DVD is bad ?
Well now it started to give me a blackscreen even during that bluescreen when windows is reading in drivers etc. before I get to the partition part, and if i get through it can even hang up when I am toying around with partitions...

I got an old IDE DVD-drive I can test, hopefully it does the trick, thanks for the idea

[Smartidiot89]

Nope same issue there, still getting blackscreen.

[GLENBOY]

how old is you windows xp disk it has to be service pack 2 to work with pcie express graphics card if its not sp2 windows xp thats your problem, you can slipstream sp2 into xp and then burn a new disk, theres a guide somewhere how to do it

[Smartidiot89]

how old is you windows xp disk it has to be service pack 2 to work with pcie express graphics card if its not sp2 windows xp thats your problem, you can slipstream sp2 into xp and then burn a new disk, theres a guide somewhere how to do it
SP3 on it...:shrug:

But sometimes i get a blackscreen when it "posts" and starts reading drivers, and sometimes during format, and sometimes I even get as far as to the part where installation begins.

Tried changing to my spare DVD-reader but no luck there either...

[DAK1640]

re-check your BIOS settings. Make sure CD/DVD is 1st Boot device and then HDD is second boot device. Are you quite certain RAM is good and that installing another bootable drive works? If Windows 7 loads on that disk, then you clearly have a driver issue, something in your BIOS is having an issue.

[Smartidiot89]

re-check your BIOS settings. Make sure CD/DVD is 1st Boot device and then HDD is second boot device. Are you quite certain RAM is good and that installing another bootable drive works? If Windows 7 loads on that disk, then you clearly have a driver issue, something in your BIOS is having an issue.
CD/DVD is the first Boot Device, second is the HDD I am trying to install it on.

RAM is good and stable, put my BIOS to optimized default aswell which makes them run well below specifications, and I am using no overclocking/tweaking whatsoever atm.

What could the problem in BIOS be? Some setting or just buggy? :/

[Smartidiot89]

Tried installing Windows 7 just because, same issue there so guess the drive suddenly turned flaky :(

[DAK1640]

Time to try new HDD

[Smartidiot89]

Time to try new HDD
Got a new one coming my way today or tomorrow, i'll keep you updated if it works better

[3Z3VH]

Check your BIOS to see if it has an entry for "Video Card Type"... if it is set to Auto, or PCI-E, try changing it to PCI and installing.

Also, look for an entry called "Plug and Play OS" and make sure it is set to YES.

[Jamesrt2004]

try installign off of a usb stick ?

is SATA type set as ide as when i set mine to ahci my sata dvdrw pisses about

[enteon]

Also, look for an entry called "Plug and Play OS" and make sure it is set to YES.

this option was made for OS/2 and should be turned OFF for modern OS.

anyway playing around with ACPI stuff and setting the HDD stuff manually may help ;)

btw: when I get such strange errors it's almost always related to bad media, CD or download, using USB sticks helps with finding out, but is a pain in the ass with XP...

[mk-ultra]

i wouldn't count the ram out yet

[topdog5050]

ok i wish you the best of luck luckly this has not happened to me yet.