Cannot install any Windows flavor; setup errors.

[Julian]

Hi,

I recentley purchased a PC with the following specs:

MS6131 v1 motherboard, BIOS v1.6
2 x 64MB PC100
6GB Western Digital
450Mhz CPU

When trying to install Windows 2000 or XP I get Blue Screen errors like
PAGEFAULT or NTFS_SYS (can't remember exactly, plus 0x000024 etc etc). Other
errors consist in cannot copying setup files from CD-ROM at setup. Windows
9x won't simply install, difficulties in copying files to the HDD on a FAT32
file system partition.
I changed the CD-ROM (new Benq), memory (some old ones) or HDD (older than
original HDD), but same problems occur.
I suspect there's a hardware problem, but cannot imagine what.

Julian

 

[Jan Alter]

Good possibility there is a faulty RAM module.

 

[Ken]

Hi,

I recentley purchased a PC with the following specs:

MS6131 v1 motherboard, BIOS v1.6
2 x 64MB PC100
6GB Western Digital
450Mhz CPU

When trying to install Windows 2000 or XP I get Blue Screen errors like
PAGEFAULT or NTFS_SYS (can't remember exactly, plus 0x000024 etc etc). Other
errors consist in cannot copying setup files from CD-ROM at setup. Windows
9x won't simply install, difficulties in copying files to the HDD on a FAT32
file system partition.
I changed the CD-ROM (new Benq), memory (some old ones) or HDD (older than
original HDD), but same problems occur.
I suspect there's a hardware problem, but cannot imagine what.

Julian

Do a thorough test of your RAM.

 

[Julian]

How do I do that? Don't have any OS installed. I'll search for DOS utility
and run it from DOS maybe.
Thanks,
Julian

 

[Julian]

How do I do that? Don't have any OS installed. I'll search for DOS utility
and run it from DOS maybe.
Thanks,
Julian

 

[Pen]

How do I do that? Don't have any OS installed. I'll search
for DOS utility and run it from DOS maybe.
Thanks,
Julian

http://www.memtest86.com/
Try this.

 

[kony]

How do I do that? Don't have any OS installed. I'll search for DOS utility
and run it from DOS maybe.
Thanks,
Julian

Yes, Google for "Memtest86", it will make a bootable floppy
and is the preferred way to test memory- don't ever test
memory by an (windows) operating system program because it
can't then test all the memory.

If (and only if) Memtest86 checks stable, you might also see
if MSI has a newer bios for the board and update that-
especially with Win2k or XP a newer bios may be needed for
power management reasons- which shouldn't effect the
installation AFAIK, but would afterwards.

 

[kony]

Hi,

I recentley purchased a PC with the following specs:

MS6131 v1 motherboard, BIOS v1.6
2 x 64MB PC100
6GB Western Digital
450Mhz CPU

When trying to install Windows 2000 or XP I get Blue Screen errors like
PAGEFAULT or NTFS_SYS (can't remember exactly, plus 0x000024 etc etc). Other
errors consist in cannot copying setup files from CD-ROM at setup. Windows
9x won't simply install, difficulties in copying files to the HDD on a FAT32
file system partition.
I changed the CD-ROM (new Benq), memory (some old ones) or HDD (older than
original HDD), but same problems occur.
I suspect there's a hardware problem, but cannot imagine what.

In addition to testing the memory with memtest86, also
examine the internals, that cards/cables/memory/etc are well
seated, that all fans are working.

What is the history of this system? Was it supposedly
working ok exactly as you received it? If there have been
changes made you might try clearing the CMOS (unplug AC cord
and use the clear CMOS jumper or remove the battery for 10
minutes).

If memtest86 tests stable for several hours, next time you
try to install win2k, write down the specific error codes,
exactly as they appear (no need for the entire screen, just
the main title and #).

 

[fbsnr]

Hi,

I recentley purchased a PC with the following specs:

MS6131 v1 motherboard, BIOS v1.6
2 x 64MB PC100
6GB Western Digital
450Mhz CPU

When trying to install Windows 2000 or XP I get Blue Screen errors like
PAGEFAULT or NTFS_SYS (can't remember exactly, plus 0x000024 etc etc). Other
errors consist in cannot copying setup files from CD-ROM at setup. Windows
9x won't simply install, difficulties in copying files to the HDD on a FAT32
file system partition.
I changed the CD-ROM (new Benq), memory (some old ones) or HDD (older than
original HDD), but same problems occur.
I suspect there's a hardware problem, but cannot imagine what.

Before worrying about testing your memory, do you get a POST. on
booting.

 

[dannysdailys]

Julianwrote:
Hi,

I recentley purchased a PC with the following specs:

MS6131 v1 motherboard, BIOS v1.6
2 x 64MB PC100
6GB Western Digital
450Mhz CPU

When trying to install Windows 2000 or XP I get Blue Screen errors like
PAGEFAULT or NTFS_SYS (can't remember exactly, plus 0x000024 etc etc). Other
errors consist in cannot copying setup files from CD-ROM at setup. Windows
9x won't simply install, difficulties in copying files to the HDD on a FAT32
file system partition.
I changed the CD-ROM (new Benq), memory (some old ones) or HDD (older than
original HDD), but same problems occur.
I suspect there's a hardware problem, but cannot imagine what.

Julian

I think you answered your own question. I highly doubt a machine that
old can handle a new OS. Especially with only 128 megs of memory.

Putting XP on a 6 gig hard drive?? That alone could be a real problem
when you consider all the disk space Windows reserves for system
restore, recycle bin, etc.

Perhaps you ought to use the Windows 98 that came with it.

 

[Boba & Ilinka]

Kony, could you install XP or Win 2K on fat 32 or it should be NTFS file
system?

Boba Vancouver

 

[kony]

I think you answered your own question. I highly doubt a machine that
old can handle a new OS. Especially with only 128 megs of memory.

Based on what?
It's x86, it'll run.
You could run it on a Pentium 100 box, if you used the
ignore hardware switches for installation but it's not
necessary on his system.

Putting XP on a 6 gig hard drive?? That alone could be a real problem
when you consider all the disk space Windows reserves for system
restore, recycle bin, etc.

That's not a problem... naturally one can't install a ton of
stuff but 6GB is plenty for a basic XP install. If more
romm is necessary it might help to disable system restore.

Perhaps you ought to use the Windows 98 that came with it.

Not a bad idea for performance reasons but not any of the
above.

 

[kony]

Kony, could you install XP or Win 2K on fat 32 or it should be NTFS file
system?

Yes, there is no problem installing on or using FAT32 with
Win2k or XP.

 

[Sleepy]

Hi,

I recentley purchased a PC with the following specs:

MS6131 v1 motherboard, BIOS v1.6
2 x 64MB PC100
6GB Western Digital
450Mhz CPU

When trying to install Windows 2000 or XP I get Blue Screen errors like
PAGEFAULT or NTFS_SYS (can't remember exactly, plus 0x000024 etc etc).
Other
errors consist in cannot copying setup files from CD-ROM at setup. Windows
9x won't simply install, difficulties in copying files to the HDD on a
FAT32
file system partition.
I changed the CD-ROM (new Benq), memory (some old ones) or HDD (older than
original HDD), but same problems occur.
I suspect there's a hardware problem, but cannot imagine what.

Julian

DOnt even think about installing Win2000 or XP on a PC with 128mb of RAM -
it'll crawl. Stick to Win98 or ME and you need Win98 boot disk plus the
original CD. Use the boot disk to format the HDD then install. Make sure the
CD is thoroughly clean and the IDE cables are fully plugged in to both
motherboard and drive. If the cable look like they've been crimped tightly
then replace them.

 

[John]

Based on what?
It's x86, it'll run.
You could run it on a Pentium 100 box, if you used the
ignore hardware switches for installation but it's not
necessary on his system.



That's not a problem... naturally one can't install a ton of
stuff but 6GB is plenty for a basic XP install. If more
romm is necessary it might help to disable system restore.

I definitely dont recommend it but I have an ANCIENT 6 gig Maxtor hd
that Ive mentioned still runs. I have it sitting around -- the only
use is for trouble shooting when I need a clean install of WIN XP
fast. I actually have WIN XP on it and it runs fine though SLOW.

I also have a AMD 64 754 socket my second machine with only 256 megs.
Ive never tried 128 megs. Im surprised it does run with that small
amount. I didnt even think 256 would be standable but it actually is
usable but it can get slow with many tasks if you run out of mem and
start going to HD a lot. A lot of the cheap laptop deals come with
only 256 megs and people claim they are using them that way. Id
defintely get more mem though cause it doesnt make sense to to run it
with that low memory when memory is so cheap except in the case of
ancient systems where you cant find memory for it but then Id put an
older WIN on it instead.

 

[kony]

I also have a AMD 64 754 socket my second machine with only 256 megs.
Ive never tried 128 megs. Im surprised it does run with that small
amount. I didnt even think 256 would be standable but it actually is
usable but it can get slow with many tasks if you run out of mem and
start going to HD a lot. A lot of the cheap laptop deals come with
only 256 megs and people claim they are using them that way. Id
defintely get more mem though cause it doesnt make sense to to run it
with that low memory when memory is so cheap except in the case of
ancient systems where you cant find memory for it but then Id put an
older WIN on it instead.

One XP system I occasionally use for video capture has only
256MB module in it, never exceeds 110MB utilization for
that. I just disabled some services and have nothing
unnecessary running in the background.

Seems like Win2k can be whittled down to use a little under
50MB after booted & sitting at the desktop.