Windows XP Professional 32-bit on a 64-bit machine?

[Guest]

I am not sure if this has been answered before; if it has, sorry!

Since Microsoft has not given a final date for the release of Win XP Prof
64-bit, I have been trying to set up my new machine with Win XP Prof (32-bit)
SP2. This machine is a dual processor Intel Xeon 3.60 with EM64 running on a
Supermicro X6DAE-G2 motherboard.
The first part of the installation (text-based) works fine, but at the
beginning of the second (before the device installation), I always get a
fatal error message:

SXS.DLL: Syntax error in manifest or policy file...
A component's file does not match the verification information.

Each time (I have tried several!) is a different file that fails the check.
In desperation I tried my old Win 2000 Prof, and it actually managed to
install! But, when I started to install software, I noticed that all
installers that tried to check (CRC32 check, probably) the consistency of the
files all failed, and after a while the system started to crash. In one
instance, I got a PFN_LIST_CORRUPT BSoD, and after checking the Knowledge
Base I realized it had something to do with the memory. Then I tried to
install Win XP Prof (32-bit) again, but disabling all memory caching: the
installation passed the checks and started to install devices, but it was so
slow (without memory caching, you bet) I quit after 3 hours.

Now, I have a doubt: do I have a broken motherboard and/or dodgy memory, or
is Win XP Prof (32-bit) known not to work on Intel Xeon 64-bit systems? I
cannot wait to find out until Win XP Prof (64-bit) comes out because of the
returns policy of my suppliers.

Thank you for your time,

F. David del Campo Hill

 

[Tim]

Hmmmm.

XP32bit should be fine.

Before proceeding, I suggest getting a copy of memtest86 from memtest.org
and running that as per site instructions - 1 error and no OS will operate
correctly.

In the bios, try reloading setup / bios defaults and ensure that the memory
is configured to run to specification. Verify the bios settings.

Check for BIOS revisions as well.

Check the CD / DVD rom cable is seated correctly.
Check you have a PSU that meets / exceeds requirements. With a dual Xeon,
the PSU is critical.

Random CRC errors along with other random errors tend to indicate either ram
, disc (not so likely), PSU failings, possible CPU over temp (doubt it -
Xeons should be safe).

Check your XP CD - the pfn corruption may be a secondary error (bios, ram
timings) and the sysx error may be a disc scratch. Try copying the CD to the
HDD and installing from there.

 

[Guest]

If you have 2 memory modules installed, try pulling one out and installing.

If you get same errors, then stop and swap over the modules.

If problem persists, then 1: Not a memory Issue
2. Dig deeper..maybe media problem - as in CD Drive errors or Installation
CD is faulty.

At this juncture, don't get hung up in space, call Microspoft tech support
and they'll talk you in for a landing.

 

[Guest]

BAR,

If you have 2 memory modules installed, try pulling one out and installing.
If you get same errors, then stop and swap over the modules.

I have already tried that and the errors persist.

If problem persists, then 1: Not a memory Issue
2. Dig deeper..maybe media problem - as in CD Drive errors or Installation
CD is faulty.

I also tried to install with a CD from work which has never failed me
before, and the errors were similar.

At this juncture, don't get hung up in space, call Microspoft tech support
and they'll talk you in for a landing.

I will be trying that this evening.


Tim,

XP32bit should be fine.
Before proceeding, I suggest getting a copy of memtest86 from memtest.org
and running that as per site instructions - 1 error and no OS will operate
correctly.

I will try that.

In the bios, try reloading setup / bios defaults and ensure that the memory
is configured to run to specification. Verify the bios settings.

But what is that specification? I have reloaded the BIOS defaults and the
problem persists.

Check for BIOS revisions as well.

Will try.

Check the CD / DVD rom cable is seated correctly.

Done; I even got a new cable for it.

Check you have a PSU that meets / exceeds requirements. With a dual Xeon,
the PSU is critical.

Supermicro asks for 450w for that motherboard and I bought one of their own
chassis with a 645w PSU.
I will try to run with only one disk just in case the 5 disks are drawing
the power down, but if a server chassis supposed to work with 8 disks cannot
run with only 5 Supermicro are going to hear from me!

Random CRC errors along with other random errors tend to indicate either ram
, disc (not so likely), PSU failings, possible CPU over temp (doubt it -
Xeons should be safe).

Now that worries me: the Xeons have their own heatsinks with fans, and there
are other 4 fans in the chassis, but the temperature of the processors never
go below 40C. Now that should be fine for anything else, but these are Xeons
3.6...

Check your XP CD - the pfn corruption may be a secondary error (bios, ram
timings) and the sysx error may be a disc scratch. Try copying the CD to the
HDD and installing from there.

A bit difficult if I do not have a OS that runs on the machine.

David

 

[Guest]

If it's a retail version ov XP you can boot from the cd and copy it to the
hard drive.

 

[Guest]

OK, I ran memtest986 on the machine yesterday and it passed all tests
successfully without a single error. I think we can discount the memory as
being wrong.

I have also tried installing Win XP Prof with all but one of the disks
disconnected from the power, and there was no improvement, so I doubt the
machine is short on power too.

I even booted using a Knoppix Linux-on-CD and it worked without much
trouble, so I just cannot see what could be wrong with the hardware now.

Does anyone have any further ideas?

Thank you for your time,

David

 

[Guest]

Success!

I would like to report that after upgrading the BIOS of my motherboard to
version 1.2a, Windows XP Professional 32-bit installed without problems.

Thank you all for your help,

David