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Can't load any operating system

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by horseheart

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I have tried every option and troubleshooting alternative I know. I cannot completely install an operating system. It will copy the files but when it starts to configure I get a blue screen or message of missing files. Even tried different harddrivewith os already configured and still get the same. Win 2000 will go to the starting meter then blue screen. Any ideas? Motherboard is my guess. But not willing to give up just yet. I have never flashed the bios or updated. So if this is it I need a crash course.

13 replies

by thechas

Crashes and BSODs on OS install are often memory compatabilty issues.

Try different memory, or having all memory be the same brand. This can be madening, but not all motherboards work with all DIMMS, and not all DIMMS work together.

Also, make sure that the CPU jumpers are set properly, and the BIOS settings are set on the conservative side until you get things running.

I have also run across a few video cards that just don't get along with some motherboard / OS combinations. So, if you have one, try a different video card.

by horseheart

I have installed different video cards. CPU jumpers have been the same with os that was running on it. Just flashed the bios with no change in performance. When Win 2000 is starting up I get a blue screen that says to check for virus, and harddrive issues. Checked for viruses with norton and harddrive is A-OK. I will have to get compatible memory to try your suggestion. But I am still open to suggestions until then.

by dmiles

Check te memory modules to make sure they have not creeped out of the slots

Check the power supply and see if the fan is operating,also check the cpu fan.

Try running scandisk form the dos prompt,with the drive installed,then run FDISK /MBR,now try running setup with cd-rom support,make sure that you have a clean boot disk.

by chud

Another thing to check - Your Heatsink and Fan on the CPU - I had this problem with an old system, the Fan had broken, I'd get to the same stage as you and the system would crash. If you're running a new processor (Athlon/P3) this is unlikely to bethe case though as they would shut down/die of heat very quickly after power up if the Heatsink or fan were not working properly. Without Hrdware details I cannot be more specific.

by timwalsh

Another possibility is that some BIOS include a rudimentary Anti-virus capability. This capability looks for some basic virus-like activity such as attempting to write to the MBR, etc., which of course needs to happen to successfully install an OS. Check your BIOS settings at boot-up to see if this capability exists and is turned on. (if it is turned on, try turning it off.
Also you didn't mention whether you had tried wiping your drive and doing a truly fresh install. On the BSOD, are you getting a STOP message or some other type of error message (other than the standard memory dump)?

by insight

if this is a microsoft win2k os try this (or look for a similiar file for another os)
** try reading the hcl file (hardware compatibility list) on your os cd
** try running checkupgradeonly from the cd or run line of your os (start/run/checkupgradeonly)and it will check for you whether your system needs upgrading and it specifies which areas need to be improved. good luck... also, try getting some white papers from microsofts technet site. that has everything

by destroyer

I had the same problem last year and my friend also a few days ago.

The problem with his PC and mine is that a memory has failed. Disable the Fast Post startup option in the bios so that the Motherboard tests the memory for you. If the memory chack fails, replace the memory dimm that has failed.

It fixed my friends problems and my old PC's.

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