Installation Problem with Nforce4 Chipset

[Bryan]

I've tried multiple times(Both Multi-boot or clean installs) installing both
the x64 and x32 version of Vista Beta 2 with no joy . I get all the way
through the install and then on the final reboot I get a black screen saying
that /windows/system/winload (winload32 on the x32 version) does not exist.
This error is CONSISTENT no matter what I do. Now........I know the ISO
file is good because I had no problem installing the x32 version of Vista on
my old P4 2.53 Ghz (SuperMicro Mobo) running off of PATA hard drives. The
install on that computer went beautifully and everyhing (as far as I can
tell as of now) works great.

I suspect there is a problem with the SATA Raid drivers for the NFORCE4
chipset. I did download the x32 beta version of the SATA Raid drivers from
Nvidia, but that didn't help.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this issue???

Specs for both computers are below

WORKING COMPUTER

P4 2.53 Ghz
SuperMicro MoBo
80GB PATA Hard Drive
1 GB RAM
GeForce 4200Ti Video Card

NOT WORKING COMPUTER

Athlon X64 4000
Gigabyte GA-K8NXP-SLI
2 GB RAM
Nvidia PCI-X 6800 GTX
2x WD 72GB Raptors in Raid 0 (Vista System Drive)
1x WD 36.4 GB Raptor Stand Alone (Boot Drive)
1x Seagate 200GB Stand Alone (Data Drive)

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[Guest]

Bryan

I had the same problem, my PC was ok to upgrade, as I have transfered
everything over to my laptop. and I had problems with the chipset.

I ended up doing a clean install, and used the current Vista Beta2 Drivers
on my PC, with a USB key installed in the back, when installing, and all ok.

The drivers I used was a complete zip of all nForce drivers for the 32bit
version, I have an atahalon 64 but after the problmes I had with drivers for
XP x64, I decided to try the 32bit version first.

The nVidia drivers I used can be found here

http://uk.nzone.com/object/nzone_downloads_nforce_vista_x86_beta2_uk.html

I was pleasetly suprised, as I am running a Raid 0 setup with two 160gb SATA
disks

However, do NOT use the nVidia PCI Root update that Windows Update suggests,
as it crashes Vista.

Hope this helps

Regards

Dave

 

[Bryan]

Dave,

Thanks for the advice.........However, I tried those drivers and they did
NOT work. I unzipped them just like you did, onto a usb key chain drive. I
selected the "load drivers" button and Vista had no problem finding the
drivers on my key chain drive.........But when all was said and done, Vista
failed at bootup stating it couldn't find the winload32 file.

Now when I did the vista install with the nvidia beta drivers I did do it
through the GUI within my Windows XP install (Multi-boot).......Should I try
the install during bootup prior to going into Windows XP?

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[Guest]

Bryan

I attempted my first install, from XP and tried to do an upgrade.

The best way is a clean install on a second partition, doing the install
outside of XP is better.

I would not reccomend the upgrade.

If you do get it installed, please be aware, that the Windows update offers
an optional update for the nVidia PCI Root etc...do not install it, as it
means a bit of hastle getting back in (last good config, and I lost my
network settings).

Hope this helps.