Continuous Rebooting...Windows XP Pro does not load

Is there any stalling or error messages?

I did not see any messages. Here is the latest. I also put back together anoher computer and I put back the HD in that originally worked fine. Now I am having the same problem with this computer too!!!!!!! This is killing me! Do you think reinstalling Windows XP will help?

You cannot just stick a HDD with XP installed on any computer you like!
It will produce the rebooting symptoms you are having.

You have to perform a repair installation of XP so that it can reset to the new motherboard.

See this link:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

Okay. I just tried to reinstall windows xp pro from bootable cdrom. I set the cdrom to the 1st boot drive in the bios. The computer begins to boot, then it says "Boot from ATAPI CD ROM: Failure..." Then it restarts again, and does this over and over.

I tried to boot from Floppy disks. I was able to get through 5 of the 6 windows xp setup disks. During the 6th disk, the system decided to automatically reboot. Now what should I try?

I ran the memtest program that someone else posted, and it came up with one error but I do not think this is the problem. I ran that test on a working computer and there were 11 errors and the computer works flawlesly.

Anymore suggestions to get Windows XP to install or load?

Thanks,

Jeff

>> I ran the Memtest program that someone else posted, and it came up with one error but I do not think this is the problem. I ran that test on a working computer and there were 11 errors and the computer works flawlesly.<<

That person was me. You think that 1-11 errors are negligible ? Nope, they're not.

So, one of your problems is shown in memory test results. Let me tell you this: your memory should pass 100 % the test. Even a single bit on the same failed address could be the culprit.

Also, one should be aware that software memory utilities aren't 100 % degree trusted. However, Memtest86+ is probable the best publicly available. Because of those errors your HDD was probable hosed.


This being said, besides my previous message's advises:

- Clean the CPU/Memory golden contacts.

- Check out again the CPU's fan. If it's lazy it can have an impact to your memory test failure.


Here are some new things to try:

- Lower the SDRAM speed to 66 MHz (probable you have a jumper on motherboard). If you're lucky maybe the memory could work at the lower speed.

- Make sure that the CDROM's cable is good. Move the CDROM to another channel and move the master/slave jumper(s) accordingly. Try the CDROM from the another PC to this problematic one.


Good Luck,

Cetin


Trying to unweave, unwind, unravel
And piece together the past and the future,

T. S. Eliot

Here is the latest:

I tested two 128 mb RAM sticks I had with Memtest86+ and they both went through 9 passes with no errors. I placed both these sticks into this computer. I was able to boot from a CD now. The Windows XP setup began from the CD. It started to copy all of the intial system files and during the last step, which is the same point when the floppy disks reached the 6th disk, where the screen says "Starting to Load Windows," and the computer just automatically rebooted. So with both the non-error and the error memory, I ended up in the same place with the computer doing the same symptoms. This computer has a Biostar Motherboard and has an AMD Athlon 800 MHz.

The problem here seems to not be with the memory. What should I try now?

Thanks,

Jeff

I had the same problems and did a total format including the partition, booted from cd and away we went, done this three times on various desk tops and lap tops all low spec machines. hope this works for you. ;.)

So I decided to format the HD b/c I was having no luck. I found two sticks on 128 MB RAM and tested them for errors and they came back with none. I begin the install process of WINDOWS XP Pro and when I tried it from the 6 install disks, when it was done with the 6th disk the computer automatically restarted. I tried installing from the CD. When it was at the point where it formats your drive, it reached 0% and then rebooted. I tried again from the CD. This time it reached refomatting of 20% and then rebooted.

I changed the cable going from the MB to the CDROM drive, and that did not help.

I have a 80 GB Maxtor HD. I ran their Powermax program on this computer and during the test the computer rebooted. I took the HD and put it into a working drive and set it as the slave and ran the test with no problems. The test came back with no errors.

What seems to be the problem now?

Can it be with the BIOS, CPU, MB?

I even put in a different Video Card and nothing was resolved.

Thanks, Jeff

Cetin,

So I decided to format the HD b/c I was having no luck. I found two sticks on 128 MB RAM and tested them for errors and they came back with none. I begin the install process of WINDOWS XP Pro and when I tried it from the 6 install disks, when it was done with the 6th disk the computer automatically restarted. I tried installing from the CD. When it was at the point where it formats your drive, it reached 0% and then rebooted. I tried again from the CD. This time it reached refomatting of 20% and then rebooted.

I changed the cable going from the MB to the CDROM drive, and that did not help.

I have a 80 GB Maxtor HD. I ran their Powermax program on this computer and during the test the computer rebooted. I took the HD and put it into a working drive and set it as the slave and ran the test with no problems. The test came back with no errors.

What seems to be the problem now?

Can it be with the BIOS, CPU, MB?

I even put in a different Video Card and nothing was resolved.

Thanks, Jeff

Jeff,

OK, I?ve read your PC?s M7VKB manual. I see there three revisions. From your description, you probable have rev 1.0 or 1.1.

I?m assuming that you already flashed the BIOS using the vkb0524f.exe. Remove all unnecessary external or internal devices first. Now, let?s try the following steps

1. Power on the PC goto PC Health mode and leave it in this mode for let?s say 15 minutes. Monitor the CPU temperature. If you see some high temperatures, make sure that the cooler is corectly installed. A thermal paste should help.

2. Install the HDD (primary) and CD-ROM (secondary) on different channels. In other words, you should use two IDE cables. Make sure that the HDD cable is 80 conductor type. Try installing windows XP again.

3. Fdisk and format Maxtor (FAT32) on the working PC. Copy the i386 folder from windows XP CD kit to HDD. Install Maxtor on M7VKB (primary channel) and remove CD-ROM from the secondary channel. Boot with a windows 98/Me diskette and launch the setup (i.e. winnt).

For other details, read the following MSKB article:
Q307848 -?How to start the Setup program from MS-DOS in Windows XP?
Note

The article it?s slighy different because it deals with the situation when the CD-ROM bootable option isn?t present in BIOS.

4. Repeat the same a #3. This time attach Maxtor on secondary channel. In other words, the primary channel doesn?t have any device attached.

5. Take the PSU from the working PC and install it on M7VKB. Try #2 and/or #3 (4).


The above tests purpose is to identify the culprit (because you obviously have at least one weak or broken component).


Good Luck,

Cetin


Trying to unweave, unwind, unravel
And piece together the past and the future,

T. S. Eliot

It is happening to me also and the message I receive is "Out of scan range" but not every time.

Memory contacts on motherboard are gold plated,contacts on memory sticks are tin plated.Over time oxydation takes place of the tinned contacts of the memory sticks.When that happen there is a high resistance path.Solution,take out memory sticks and put it back in ,do this a couple of times to break the microscopic oxyde layer.You can also go over the mem stick contacts with a erase rubber,but be carefull of static electricity.

Everything looks visually good. I am running the mem test now on the computer that was working fine. On the first computer that was not working I am going to try to reinstall Windows XP.

Here is the latest. I tested two 128 mb RAM sticks I had with Memtest86+ and they both went through 9 passes with no errors. I placed both these sticks into this computer. I was able to boot from a CD now. The Windows XP setup began from the CD. It started to copy all of the intial system files and during the last step, which is the same point when the floppy disks reached the 6th disk, where the screen says "Starting to Load Windows," and the computer just automatically rebooted. So with both the non-error and the error memory, I ended up in the same place with the computer doing the same symptoms. This computer has a Biostar Motherboard and has an AMD Athlon 800 MHz.

The problem here seems to not be with the memory. What should I try now?

Thanks,

Jeff

A defective Ram will often caused a file cannot be copied during that stage of the setup.

If it passes that stage and setup can copy all the setup files successfully then XP should install without further problem.

BTW is the BIOS updated to support XP?
Have you checked on the BIOSTAR website to see if a BIOS update is available?

Other things to check:

1. Signs of leaking motherboard capacitors.
2. Swap another HDD and try installing XP again.
3. Check your Power Supply unit. What size & condition is it?
4. Is the CPU Fan in good condition and providing adequate cooling?

Try installing Win98SE and see if that will install?

I just updated the BIOS to the latest version. NO luck

I do not see any signs of leaking capacitors.

Power Supply says Max Watt is 250, and seems to be in good condition.

The CPU fax seems to be working fine. The CPU is about 95-100 degrees F. Is has been at this temp since I first installed it 4 years ago. The HD is good b/c I used Maxtor's PowerMax utility and it came back with no errors.

I have win98 CD I'll try to install that.

I will try flashing the BIOS if switching the powersupply does not help. Please read the latest posts. I have a BioStar M7VKB Motherboard with a AMD Athlon 800 MHz CPU. Two 128MB sticks of RAM with no errors.

It depends on the IDE cable (40 or 80-conductor) and whether Cable Select or Master/Slave combo.

On newer PCs, with Cable Select jumper setting and 80-conductor IDE cable, the HDD attached to the middle connector becomes the Slave and the HDD connected to the end becomes the Master.

FYI see this link:
http://www.mikeshardware.com/howtos/howto_connect_ide_hd.html

So I decided to format the HD b/c I was having no luck. I found two sticks on 128 MB RAM and tested them for errors and they came back with none. I begin the install process of WINDOWS XP Pro and when I tried it from the 6 install disks, when it was done with the 6th disk the computer automatically restarted. I tried installing from the CD. When it was at the point where it formats your drive, it reached 0% and then rebooted. I tried again from the CD. This time it reached refomatting of 20% and then rebooted.

I changed the cable going from the MB to the CDROM drive, and that did not help.

I have a 80 GB Maxtor HD. I ran their Powermax program on this computer and during the test the computer rebooted. I took the HD and put it into a working drive and set it as the slave and ran the test with no problems. The test came back with no errors.

What seems to be the problem now?

Can it be with the BIOS, CPU, MB?

I even put in a different Video Card and nothing was resolved.

Thanks, Jeff

The CPU overheated or the power supply has aged and can't perform like it used to.

NOTHING in your posts point to a XP issue. You need to find good hardware or at least try Linux and see if it coughs up some error message to give you a clue.

In closing an overheated/failing CPU may never work again proper and people only learn about power supplies by chasing power issues for about a year it seems. After they learn, then then never skimp on the Watts again.

The same lesson about cooling seems to be a learning experience. Most will burn up parts or try to run without fans, then "see the light" (or smoke) and then get religion and put enough fans to cause the machine to float above the floor.

Bob

Right now the powersupply I have says Max Load 250W. I will replace it with another Powersupply I have an let you know what happens.

Does it note "Athlon Rated"?

If not, it could be just too old or small. Again, nothing points to any OS issue. You need to repair the machine.

I've seen people flail about on such for months in denial with "250 Watts should be enough", CPU heatsink issues or even a CPU that "cooked" but still barely works.

Hope you find it.

Bob

You said you've updated the BIOS.

I am leaning towards an overheating issue or a Power Supply problem as you are not able to even format the HDD properly.

If there are no signs of leaking or bulging capacitors and the PC passed POST then you can rule out the motherboard.

I don't think the Chipset is the problem since one can easily install Windows without the chipset drivers.
If Windows does not recognise the Chipset you will see the IDE as Standard IDE Controller in Device Manager until the proper Chipset drivers are installed.

Try removing the side panel of the case and point a table fan into the CPU area and see if the format & install will complete successfully.

Also replace the Power Supply with a 350W or higher PSU as such are quite inexpensive nowadays.

I agree with Bob that it's not an XP issue since I have installed XP successfully on old PCs including an IBM Aptiva w/AMD K3 350MHz.

BTW, did you have any success installing Win98?

Lastly perhaps it's time to move on and upgrade to newer hardware?

I decided I am going to upgrade the powersupply. I am going to buy a 600 Watt sucker for about $22. Hopefully this will work. I'll let you all know. Thank for all of your help. I'll followup once this is completed.