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windows vista install problem...?

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by tardbag135 1 view

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im trying to install windows vista to a custom-built machine that i built. but everytime i boot from the DVD, it will say "Windows is loading files..." but the progress bar only gets 1/3 of the way and then shows an error:

Windows Boot Manager
----------------------------------
Windows has encountered a problem communicating with a device connected to your computer.

This error can be caused by unplugging a removable storage device such as an external USB drive while the device is in use, or by faulty hardware such as a hard drive or CD-ROM drive that is failing. Make sure any removable storage is properly connected and then restart your computer.

If you continue to receive this error message, contact the hardware manufacturer.

Status: Oxc00000e9

Info: An unexpected I/O error has occurred.
--------------------------------------------

It does this every time. i cant figure out why this does it. Its a desktop, so i uplugged all external devices (bluetooth, internal card reader), PCI cards, EVERYTHING! and it still shows up. This is a 1st install of vista, so vista was never on this machine before...it was XP.

what is causing this error and how do i fix it? if you need any more PC specs, let me know.

Core 2 Duo E8600 3.3GHz
4GB RAM
(attempting to install) Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit SP1
Asus MyCinema TV tuner
Realtek gigabit LAN
Realtek HD audio 8CH
Intel G45M Chipset

Thanks for the help.

PS. would it matter if the hard drive is blank or not? right now i have XP MCE 2005 SP2 installed.(32-bit)

23 replies

by oh smeg

I use Boot & Nuke

http://www.dban.org/download

But I'm told that Kill Disc is just as effective

http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

However having said that I find that most issues revolving around Vista Installs relate to the M'Boards so which one do you have here. The Make & Model are important the Chip Set type no where near as much.

You should also remove as much Hardware as is not required to do the initial Install of Vista as if you have any that is not supported by whichever version of Vista you are installing you will have issues. So pull the Video Capture Card and preferably Slipstream the Sound & LAN drivers to a DVD using vLite

http://www.vlite.net/download.html

Just make sure to read the Documentation section of their Web Site here before starting.

http://www.vlite.net/help/

Also include SP1 if your Install Media doesn't already have this included.

Col

by oh smeg

I use Gigabyte M'Boards myself without a problem and I have Installed the Ultimate 64 Bit Version of Vista without problems previously though personally I don't use it.

Start off with reducing the Machine to the Bare Minimum that is the CPU, RAM and Video Card if you are using one. Then start the unit and when you see the POST Screen press [b]Delete Key[/b] to enter BIOS. Set the Date & Time and make sure that there are no things enabled that shouldn't be the most likely here is that you have the RAID option Enabled without 2 identical HDDs to create the Array.

OH yes the RAM should be in Slots 1 & 3 if they are identical Sticks and 1 & 2 if they are not. You should also have the slowest RAM in Slot 1 if they are different sticks as well.

Make sure to save the changes when you exit BIOS and it should be OK.

Col

by tardbag135

it still gives me the error.

the RAM is one(1) 4GB module by G-skill.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231181
it is in the very first slot. (closest to the processor). still error message...

i have reduced down to CPU & ram. i use the integrated video chipset. (intel G45).
still error message...

the BIOS settings are set to mode RAID=DISABLED and mode AHCI=DISABLED.
still error message...

im still lost. thanx again...

by rob miners

doesn't appear on the list of supported modules from gigabyte. There is only one referenced at 4GB and it is 4GB Kingston KVR800D2N6/4G. Have you another module that you can try.

by tardbag135

if its not supported then why does it work fine in XP? right now it works fine with XP no probs. i want vista instead thats the only reason for changing.

by oh smeg

While these M'Boards can carry up to 16 GIG's of RAM they are fussy about those 4 GIG Sticks. I always use 2 X 2 GIG Sticks as it gives you Dual Chanel RAM that works.

When you start to go to the Biggest RAM Possible on these Boards they hang up at random intervals and generally don't work at all well. When you add to that you are only running in Single Chanel Mode so the FSB is 50% of the Fastest it should be for the CPU you have fitted and you are also sharing some of that to generate Video you have a problem.

Pull the 4 GIG Stick or fit another and then run MEMTest to check the RAM. With these M'Boards I've never used more than 4 X 2 GIG Corsair Dominator Series RAM and never had a problem but then again I wasn't loading Windows either.

What I think you'll find is happening here is that the Installer is creating a Virtual RAM Drive and it is disappearing during the install causing the error message that you are getting. All of these new M'Boards are finicky about the RAM that they use and you should stick to the Better Brands or use the Supported Component Lists to source your parts from.

You may find that the unit will not load Windows with this RAM Configuration but run Windows Perfectly OK after it is loaded so if you have access to some other DDR2 RAM Smaller I would try that for the load and then switch tot he 4 GIG Stick after the unit has Windows Installed to see if the RAM you have will work on the M'Board.

Col

by rob miners

I have searched forums looking for an answer to this problem as I have not personally encountered it before. It could be a number of things but the two that stand out is that Vista may lose contact with the DVD reader or the Vista DVD itself is damaged. If you downloaded and created the DVD yourself try downloading it again and burn it at the slowest speed possible.

by tardbag135

well i have a backup ISO on my HDD. the disc cant be damaged its brand new. what would cause it to lose contact with the optical drive? anything I can fix myself? Because i dont have access to any other RAM modules, (DDR2 ones) i cant change the config to dual channel 2gigs instead of single channel 4. with my limited resources, what else can i do to install vista? i would do it on another machine, but my other machines are a bit older and are 32-bit systems. i really dont hope that i have to get new RAM cuz the 4GB was $110... thanx again for ur help.

by rob miners

If it is Sata make sure that it is connected to the last Sata port and the Hard drive is on the lowest numbered port. If it is IDE connect it to the end of the secondary IDE slot and at the end of the cable and set it as Master. Have you access to another DVD drive to test with.

< missed a bit >

It has been known that DVD's have been defective from the onset. If that turns out to be the case I am sure that you will be able to swap it for a good one.

by oh smeg

Make sure it is set to Master and on the end of the IDE Lead.

Col.

by tardbag135

everything in my microtower is SATA. even the DVD drive. and i dont have any IDE dvd drives on hand. currently in the BIOS i have IDE channel disabled.

IF, and only IF, i were to borrow an IDE DVD Drive from my dads old windows 98 computer, do i just enable IDE in BIOS, connect it and set it to master then boot from the DVD? thanx again to all who have been helping.

by tardbag135

everything in this system is SATA. because its a microtower, i dont want to put any ribbon cables in for the sake of cooling.

no its my only desktop DVD drive i have - i sold a custom built XP system to my relatives which they do lots of burning so i sold them my last 2. (they were IDE)

I have five(5) SATA ports on my motherboard. How do i tell what the numbers of them are? i noticed on the POST screen on boot that it says the numbers of the ports that my devices are connected to but how do i find that out physically looking at the ports? or do i have to plug them on different and keep trying it out?

so what your saying is the HDD has to be connected to port 0 and CD/DVD to port 5?

by rob miners

to find their slot numbers or physically check the board as they will be indicated on there. HDD has to be connected to port 0 and CD/DVD to port 5.

by oh smeg

But are you aware of the IDE Cables that are coated in Round Plastic Tubing? These are used in applications where Air Flow Restrictions are not wanted and because the Cable Cover is Round they produce far less Resistance and Disturbance to Air Flow.

http://www.myshopping.com.au/PT--207_Computer_Cables_Connectors_IDE_Cable__fs_1673_e__

[i]Sorry only images I could find quickly.[/i]

As for finding out which Port the SATA Drives are plugged into look at the M'Board. Beside the SATA Ports there is a Number starting from 1 with is SATA Port 1 and working up the what that M'Board supports.

According the Gigabytes Users Manual the HDD's should be in the Lower Number SATA Ports and any Optical Drive should be attached to the Last Odd Number SATA Port. I've only seen this make a difference when the various RAID Arrays have been used though but it may be worth a try here.

Col

by tardbag135

the green IDE port is the, well, IDE port. the BLACK IDE port is the FDD header. looks similar, but if you read the fine print on the board it is marked FDD. Ill try the SATA port swapping 1st, as this is most feasible for me. If this fails, then i will try temporarily connecting an IDE DVD reader. I did end up finding an old DVD ROM drive which is IDE, so that is my backup plan. ill keep you updated on my findings. thanx.

by rob miners

drop over the other day (Sunday OM) with his new PC for me to have a look at. I always have a visual before starting up and I noticed that his DVD was in slot 0 and his HD was in slot 5, I asked him if he installed the OS like this and he said that he did as his son had connected the drives for him. It did actually work for him with this configuration. His problem was actually a failed DVI port. I put the Sata cables around the right way and booted to test and he was amazed at the startup time. I hadn't seen it start before so I have to take his word for it.

by tardbag135

didn't you say the HDD was in port 0 and optical in port 5? well ill try it both ways and see if it works. thanks again for your help.

PS. what OS was he using? Vista? if so what version? 32/64

by rob miners

XP Pro 32bit. It is looking more like a faulty DVD disc.

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