Install locks up on detecting devices

[Brian Cryer]

I'm trying to install SBS 2003 on a new dual core shuttle pc. Whilst I want
to install SBS I get the same problem if I try to install XP, hence why I'm
cross posting to both groups.

When installing, it copies everything up, says "starting windows" and gets
as far as "Detecting Devices" perhaps a little over half way through
according to the progress bar and then hangs. Mouse locks up, and the
"lights" in the bottom right hand corner stop animating. All I can do is
reboot.

I've tried various things like disabling as many on-board devices as I can
in the bios. Interestingly if I boot to safe mode and disable networking
support and then let the install continue then it gets past detecting
devices but crashes (reboots) when I click on "Next" after the localisation
dialog.

Same problem if I try installing with XP Pro SP1. Interestingly Windows 2000
goes on without a hitch.

Any ideas how I can attempt to resolve what's going wrong.

Thanks.

 

[Russ - SBITS.Biz \(MCP SBS\)]

My Guess is it's the Video Card.

About 1/2-3/4 is where the Video Card Detection Happens.

Try a Different Video Card and see if that solves it.

Russ

--
Russell Grover
SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist.
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, (MCP-SBS)
support @ SBITS.Biz
Remote SBS2003 Support
http://www.SBITS.Biz

 

[Brian Cryer]

Thanks Russ, I hadn't even considered the video card. I'll try it later and
see if it helps.

 

[Brian Cryer]

Well, I've tried a different video card, but it makes no difference. It
still locks up at the "Installing Devices" stage. I appreciate the idea, but
I'm still open to others.

 

[Russ - SBITS.Biz \(MCP SBS\)]

There's Gotta be some Device IMO that's messing you up...
Have you tried a NON USB mouse?

Russ

--
Russell Grover
SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist.
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, (MCP-SBS)
support @ SBITS.Biz
Remote SBS2003 Support
http://www.SBITS.Biz

 

[Brian Cryer]

I agree that there must be some device messing things up. You don't know of
any logs that get generated that I can interrogate that might give a clue?
If I start using the recovery console then I can browse around the disk.

I'm using a ps/2 mouse and keyboard. USB is one of the things I've disabled
in the BIOS.

When I have time later I'm going to see whether a BIOS upgrade is
available - worth a shot. If that doesn't help then the next thing I'll try
(which I know sounds like it shouldn't work and may have nasty implications)
is to remove the disk, put it into another pc, install SBS and then put the
disk back. Of course it might then fall over when I put the disk back and
even if it does work it may have unnecessary drivers loaded. Worth a shot
unless there is a good reason for not doing it.

Brian.

 

[Russ - SBITS.Biz \(MCP SBS\)]

Well there is Something up that's for sure.

You could Try Disabling the NIC ETC.

IMO there's some hardware that is Messing you up Either RAID card, Onboard
NIC, Video, Sound,
Something that when it goes for Device Checking it BARFS.

That's my Guess anyway...
If was a DELL box I'd try using the Install CD to make sure the Drivers that
belong to the server are there.

Then we get to this, If this can't install, I'm wondering how stable this
will be if we ever get it up?
If this is a new MotherBoard I'd return it.
(It may have a Faulty Chip or Capacitor Causing your Crash)
Sorry Just something sounds fishy...

Russ


--
Russell Grover
SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist.
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, (MCP-SBS)
support @ SBITS.Biz
Remote Computer Support
http://www.SBITS.Biz

 

[Brian Cryer]

Annoyingly the NIC is the only on-board device that the BIOS won't let me
disable. No option for it at all. I'll investigate whether a bios upgrade is
available and if so whether that will allow it. I'll also reload 2000 (since
that goes on without a problem) and then plug a network cable in and check
that it seems to work. Not that that is conclusive.

I think I've tried disabling everything else, not sure about the sound, I'll
try that later.

I am beginning to wonder whether the motherboard should go back ... the
system is new so its something I'll need to investigate.

Regarding Dell, yes, never had an issue with any Dell system. This isn't,
its a shuttle, because I wanted a really small case.

Thank you Russ for all of your suggestions. I appreciate it.

Brian.

 

[Russ - SBITS.Biz \(MCP SBS\)]

It's ok to pee in the wind, just make sure you aren't down wind..

--
Russell Grover
SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist.
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, (MCP-SBS)
support @ SBITS.Biz
Remote Computer Support
http://www.SBITS.Biz

 

[Brian Cryer]

Since I bought the shuttle pc without an operating system, I don't have a
suitable restore cd. However, that said, I have a collection of operating
systems (part of my day job is to look after the office IT so I tend to
accumulate disks), and:

SBS 2003 (no service pack) locks up when detecting devices
XP sp 1 locks up when detecting devices - at the same point as far as I
can tell.
XP sp 2 (tried this just now) goes on fine.
W2000 (no service pack) goes on fine.

no drivers required or at least no special IDE drivers provided, so I'm
assuming none required.

I have a feeling that if I had a later version of SBS (presumably there is
service pack for it by now) that it might go on. Unfortunately I've only got
the disks (and license) for the version I've got.

Thanks for the suggestions. I need to go and have a dabble with it ...

Brian.

 

[Guest]

wow you have been busy...
If XPSP2 installs, Shuttle MUST know about this issue (you would not be the
only one).
I'd be interested in what they say the fix is.

 

[Guest]

Just out of the blue, a thought: have you disabled the floppy controller yet?

A long long time ago a Win2000 install hung on a VIA chipset motherboard and
the fix was disable the floppy controller. Re-enabled later of course no
problem.

 

[Brian Cryer]

No, the floppy is one of the few devices I've not tried disabling. I'll have
a look tonight. Thanks.

 

[Brian Cryer]

I yesterday contacted Shuttle (the manufacturer) and it turns out that the
combination of motherboard and cpu that I have isn't on their supported list
and that this one of the symptoms they would expect because of it. So, its
going back to the supplier ...

Thank you both Ross and Rob for your ideas. I appreciated your help.

 

[Russ - SBITS.Biz \(MCP SBS\)]

I don't know who Ross is but I'm glad you found the answer..

Russ

--
Russell Grover
SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist.
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, (MCP-SBS)
support @ SBITS.Biz
Remote Computer Support
http://www.SBITS.Biz

 

[Brian Cryer]

Sorry Russ. Oops. You know I meant you. My apologies and thank you.

I don't know who Ross is but I'm glad you found the answer..

Russ

--
Russell Grover
SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist.
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, (MCP-SBS)
support @ SBITS.Biz
Remote Computer Support
http://www.SBITS.Biz