OS won't install on new PC

**Yakumo** · 06-04-2011

My i3 PC came today without any OS so I'm trying to install XP on it but there's a problem. I keep getting the below screen.

Acording to the BIOS on the new PC the HD is 500GB. Woudl the HD need to be formatted so the BIOS knew what size it was? If not then I guess the HD isn't formatted. how can you format a HD with no OS installed? Any help is most welcome :pray:

Yakumo

**Oldgamingfart** · 06-04-2011

IIRC the original XP CD used to throw up a lot installation errors, mostly due to the lack of driver support for newer hardware. I think if you use a SP2 CD or (even better), a SP3 XP installation CD it'll solve the issue.

You can slipstream SP3 to create a new installation CD, full instructions >>here<<

As for formatting/ partitioning, the installation CD usually gives you a few of these options later on in the install process.

**Yakumo** · 06-04-2011

Ah, that could be the issue then. This is a new Mother Board so you could be right. Good job I've kept my current PC up and running. I'll have a go at making the SP3 slipstream disc and see how that goes. Fingers crosses that it will work.

**Oldgamingfart** · 06-04-2011

I've never attempted making a slipstreamed CD like that before. The process does seem a bit long-winded, and there's no real guarantee of success. It might work out better in the long-run to install Windows 7 on it.

**Christer-swe** · 06-04-2011

Originally Posted by Yakumo

Ah, that could be the issue then. This is a new Mother Board so you could be right. Good job I've kept my current PC up and running.

That's always a handy tip. When you're fixing or building a computer you need a second computer for troubleshooting, drivers, etc.

**Yakumo** · 06-04-2011

Originally Posted by Oldgamingfart

I've never attempted making a slipstreamed CD like that before. The process does seem a bit long-winded, and there's no real guarantee of success. It might work out better in the long-run to install Windows 7 on it.

Not an option I'm afraid. No cash to buy Windows 7 :(

**Yakumo** · 06-04-2011

Bummer, a streamed SP3 disc was made but the same problem again :(

EDIT: A mate has got an unused copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition (Japanese but then again so is my XP) that he's letting me have cheap. Just got to wait to get it from him now.

What would you suggest I install? The 32bit or 64bit version? Is there really any true performance difference? Will the 64 bit render all my current XP Pro software useless?

Yakumo

**Oldgamingfart** · 06-04-2011

Oh dear, looks like it's gonna be a tricky one to sort out. I wonder, did you slipstream SP2 or SP3? Maybe there's a specific driver in SP2 that it's looking for.

From what I've read, the error relates to the PCI Express function of the motherboard.

Just read your edit, yep I'd dump XP in favour of Windows 7 if you can. I'm not sure about software compatibility under the 64bit version. I would assume it would still allow you to run your 32bit applications normally, but also offer support for 64bit as and when required.
I would go with the 64bit version seeing as your processor supports it.

**BM-Viper** · 06-04-2011

i run Windows 7 64-bit, as the 32-bit version wont see any ram over 3-4GB. I've not noticed any performance benefit or penalty really. Also, pretty much all of your 32-bit software will still run, I've only had a few pretty obscure things have trouble running on win7 64-bit.

**Cyantist** · 06-04-2011

On the talk of 64bit can a pentium dual core E5400 run 64bit windows 7? at the moment I have 4gb of ram but only 32bit windows 7.

I think soon I'll either shoot for an i5 or i7 and make sure its 64bit! Death to 32bit!

**Yakumo** · 06-04-2011

Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I'll go with 64bit Win7. Cyantist, If you go for the i-series check out the BioStar Mother Boards. That's what I got. Although I'm only runing (or will be) a i3 chip, the board wil also accept i5 and i7. So future upgrades are safe for a good few years at least.

Yakumo

**z_killemall** · 06-05-2011

Originally Posted by Cyantist

On the talk of 64bit can a pentium dual core E5400 run 64bit windows 7? at the moment I have 4gb of ram but only 32bit windows 7.

I think soon I'll either shoot for an i5 or i7 and make sure its 64bit! Death to 32bit!

Of course you can! My desktop PC has an E5400 dual booting Win7 and Ubuntu 11.04, both 64-bit versions.

**Jackhammer** · 06-05-2011

Maybe a shot in the dark, but I recently had the same BSOD on XP, (not sure if it was exactly the same error message). It turned out to be a faulty memory stick. I've since removed it, and my PC is back to normal.

**Cyantist** · 06-05-2011

Originally Posted by Yakumo

Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I'll go with 64bit Win7. Cyantist, If you go for the i-series check out the BioStar Mother Boards. That's what I got. Although I'm only runing (or will be) a i3 chip, the board wil also accept i5 and i7. So future upgrades are safe for a good few years at least.

Yakumo

Taken onboard, Will definately get one of these then.

Originally Posted by z_killemall

Of course you can! My desktop PC has an E5400 dual booting Win7 and Ubuntu 11.04, both 64-bit versions.

Brilliant! I'm reformatting soon so I'll get 64bit edition!

**Yakumo** · 06-05-2011

Originally Posted by Jackhammer

Maybe a shot in the dark, but I recently had the same BSOD on XP, (not sure if it was exactly the same error message). It turned out to be a faulty memory stick. I've since removed it, and my PC is back to normal.

nah, it wasn't that. The system is brand new and only had the keyboard and Power cable connected to it. Basically XP doesn't like the newer boards.

**Twimfy** · 06-05-2011

Try disabling Hyperthreading in the bios, also switch to solo core mode and make sure the disk type is set to IDE over AHCI then try again.

Once you're up and running with XP, install mobo drivers etc and then re-enable.

**sneakypeanut** · 06-05-2011

xp wont work on my system. well it will install but none of the input devices work then it blue screens. id say just get 7 any means how can always buy it later and put your serial code in

**Trenton_net** · 06-05-2011

The simplest thing to do is to download Ubuntu Linux and try the live CD and see if there is any problems. If it works ok, then you know it's a software deal and not a hardware defect. Then you can try installing Windows, or just make the leap and switch to Linux (^_^);