[davidsc]

:1angel:
Was installing XP on new 80 Gb HD when just at the very end of the installation process the screen went blank and the computer was dead.
Able to boot after this but only in safe mode.
Reproduced this behaviour by using another old HD I had lying around.
Initial investigation suggests the problem is associated with my Radeon 9800 graphics card.
Wondering what approach I can take to get XP to work. Looked at downloading ATI Radeon 9800 installation program but have problems firing it up in safe mode.
The hardware I am using has another boot disk that I installed Ubuntu Linux on to and it starts up Ubuntu without a glitch.
Should I be looking at using Vista instead of XP - would that be more likely to install successfully?

Thanks,
David

 

[chauffeur2]

Re: Cannot install Windows XP

Hello davidsc, Welcome to TSF! :wave:

I suggest that you start the installation again from scratch, with all "extras" (including that Radeon Card) unplugged...just use the on-board graphics for the installation, and install the graphics card when the installation is finished.

To help you, please read this...

The Windows® XP Installation Check List.

1. The Windows® XP SP2-CD (naturally) :grin:

2. Darik's Boot N Nuke (Click the coloured Link).

3. Please read this guide.

4. The Motherboard CD that contains all the necessary Drivers etc.

A couple of tips...
a. Darik's Boot N Nuke will take about 4½ hours to completely wipe the Drive; however, this will vary depending on how big the Drive is. (That estimate is for a 80Gb HDD). Wiping the HDD this way will give you the best chance of a 'clean' uninterrupted installation.

b. When you get to Figure 7 in 'The Guide', you can create more than one partition here by simply telling Windows® how big you want it. Should you do decide to create an extra partition, it will not be active until you do so after the installation is over and done with...we can give you guidance as to how this is done, so partition away if you wish.

c. Once the installation is finished, with all the Motherboard Drivers installed, and Internet connected, I strongly recommend that you install a reputable Anti Virus program first; then, go to the Windows Update Site and download all the updates (including SP3).
AVG™ is has a very good free version available here.

d. DO NOT have any unnecessary items; such as, USB cameras, Printers etc., attached to the machine...install all these after the installation is finished, and fully updated from Microsoft®.

If you are uncertain about anything here, do not hesitate to ask for assistance.

Good Luck with this task; when you have finished, please report back with the success or failure of the installation.

Kind Regards,

 

[davidsc]

Re: Cannot install Windows XP

If I unplug the Radeon graphics card then I don't think I have something to plug my monitor into.

I could possibly grab an old graphics card from another machine.

David

 

[chauffeur2]

Re: Cannot install Windows XP

Hi david,

If the 'old' card is a generic one; then that should do the trick.

 

[davidsc]

Re: Cannot install Windows XP

I tried a Diamond Stealth card I have and Windows XP booted up perfectly. However when I replace it with the Radeon 9800 the same problem occurs. I thought I might be able to install a display driver for the Radeon in safe mode. I have a driver update from ATI for the Radeon which says it needs DirectX 8 to work. I actually have DirectX 9.0C installed according to DXDiag.

David

 

[chauffeur2]

Re: Cannot install Windows XP

Hi again David,

I'm very pleased to know that the 'generic' idea worked.
Having said that I will transfer you to our Hardware Forum in the Video Card Support Section, where one of the gurus there will surely help you solve this issue.

Kind Regards,

 

[dai]

Re: Cannot install Windows XP [Moved by chauffeur2 from XP]

what
video card
cpu
m/board
power supply
brand
wattage
are you running

 

[davidsc]

Re: Cannot install Windows XP [Moved by chauffeur2 from XP]

Perserverance pays.
By disabling the Radeon Display Adapters and rebooting my machine I managed to get Windows to boot in Normal mode. Thereafter I was able to install the display driver for my Radeon card.
Sweet!
:wave: