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dave s
Lv 4
dave s asked in Computers & InternetHardwareOther - Hardware · 1 decade ago

XP install help needed-experts please?

I've built a ton of computers, but I am stumped! Working on it for a friend..his computer crashed. Trying to re-install XP home(legit) on a K7s5a MB. HD formats fine(even tried format with WD Life guard tools), starts to install, then stops around 50% saying that it can't copy files..usually (dssenh.dll or so on..) Also got (Page_fault_in_nonpaged_area )error. The tech error message doesn't match anything Microsoft has..closest was an error for video card. And get(NTLDR is missing) after restart. Tried pulling the AGP card and using a regular AGP. Tried different CD roms, replaced cables, tried different HD. Even tried my XP Pro disc with same result! Any ideas? Bad MB? Haven't tried pulling the ram yet..ANY ideas?

Update:

I did look at the bios, looked o.k. ..when I first got it, it was looping.(goes through bios check>then restarting computer) I did switch IDE cables out. I will try different IDE controller tomorrow..thinking of flashing the bios(don't think that's the problem, though)thanks

Update 2:

Tried using secondary IDE controller w/ Cd as master and HD as slave. Would not boot-gave bios beeps. Lost monitor-changed back to original AGP. Trying install again..

Update 3:

Thanks..already tried all of that ...none of it worked...

9 Answers

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  • gary L
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    i suggest removing the CMOS battery for 1 to 2 minutes. Tjem reinstall the CMOS battery. Might be a BIOS virus. this will reset the BIOS to default settings. make sure the pc is unplugged from the wall first. then try again. I had an old machine once. K6-2 that did this with windows 2000. reseting and restoring BIOS to default worked for me.

    Good luck.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I had a similar problem with an hp pavillion recently. I think it was because of bad IDE controllers.

    If you have an IDE cable with 2 connectors, try connecting the harddrive as slave to the cd drive on the same IDE controller

    If that doesn't work, try putting the CD drive on the same cable as the hard drive

    The method I described didn't work for me, but I'll try the RAM thing and post back if it worked

    *update*

    Worked perfectly

    Definitely try replacing the RAM

    thanks for asking this, I would've never suspected RAM curruption

  • worldneverchanges
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    If RAM is the only variable left then chances are it is the problem. The last item could be the motherboard itself...don't know why but that would be the only variable left.

  • Kevin
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    Sounds to me like a memory issue but could also be a leaky capacitor on the motherboard as well.

  • treseuropean
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    I think it would be bad RAM. Try running memtest or equivalent with a bootable floppy or CD.

  • # Jay #
    1 decade ago

    replace Ram

  • zak o
    1 decade ago

    tried playing with bios at all? really i'd be stumped too... i'd say bad ram or mb since you've tried everything else...

  • Nits
    1 decade ago

    its due to the IDE port of your motherboard. try using different IDE port, and remember to use same port for both HD as well as CD rom, use HD as slave to CDROM...

    Reply me if it works...

  • BlurredMind
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    Had this problem before - it was bad RAM.

    I would do a memory diagnostics.

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