Problems loading XP/2K, but Linux ok? WTH?

gospeed.racer · 03-30-2006, 01:58 AM

I have acquired a Pavillion 900 lappy and the person I bought it from was at wits end. It just wont load Windoze. Well, actually, it gets to the part where it asks "To set up windows now, press enter" and as soon as you hit enter, it goes BSOD and says "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL". Tried my own full automated cd (verified working well) as well, and also even tried preloading the windows on the drive using the method I posted here. I have tried multiple drives and memory modules. The cpu is not overheating, and everything is seated on the board.

Here is what is really confusing to me. I can load Linux just fine. Tried both Ubuntu and Gnome. I dont have much experience with Linux, so loading it is all I have done.

Any ideas? I have always had crap luck with ATI stuff....I cant help but try to blame the ATI Mobility U1 video. Unfortuantely its onboard. Grrr

sfay93 · 03-30-2006, 02:34 AM

Does the laptop have an onboard card reader of any type? I have read you may need to disable USB in the bios before trying to install windows.

Also this may help, not sure if you've read it: http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;165863

gospeed.racer · 03-30-2006, 02:49 AM

It does not have the onboard card reader, but once I did get a BSOD reporting a USB problem.

Another "working" OS seems to be 98se. It is installing right now without issue. I was going to see if it would do an upgrade from 98se, just for ****s and giggles.

BTW, that article would be more helpful if i could load the o/s to make registy changes

Found lots of fixes that involved actually having XP already running!

sfay93 · 03-30-2006, 03:00 AM

One of the things I got from the article was the section on all of the things to disable in the bios before you install. Installing 98SE and then upgrading should work but would probably be a waste of more time.

From the section labeled Other Troubleshooting Steps During Windows Installation:

2.Disable the following items in your computer's CMOS settings. Consult your hardware documentation or manufacturer for instructions on disabling these features: •All caching, including: •L2 cache•BIOS cache•Internal/External cache•Write back cache on disk controllers•All shadowing•Plug and Play•Any BIOS-based virus protection feature

gospeed.racer · 03-30-2006, 03:37 AM

I looked around in Bios again, the bios is VERY basic on these. It wont let you disable anything usb related except keyboard/mouse support, and thats already disabled. In fact, it wont let you disable anything else. Boot priority and passwords are about all it will do.

I have a set of the propriatary disks coming from Compaq, figure I would try to load them and see if it just doesnt like my disks (that work on EVERY other PC I have tried them on) but since it boots the cd, i cant see what it doesnt like. And hell, its only $10 shipped for them anyway.

Thanks for the advice...keep it coming!

sfay93 · 03-30-2006, 03:42 AM

Is there a BIOS update available? That may help. The installing 98SE and then upgrading will work. I just don't like the idea of doing it myself.

gospeed.racer · 03-30-2006, 03:48 AM

I updated Bios first...like 5 minutes after I first saw the BSOD.

I also tried to do the update from 98se, it fails at the same place. At the "Welcome to setup" screen, right when you push enter, it goes to BSOD

sfay93 · 03-30-2006, 04:00 AM

How about this suggestion, also from that article: During the installation startup, press F5 when the "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration" message appears. When you are prompted, specify the correct computer type and hardware abstraction layer (HAL). For example, if you have a single processor, specify the "Standard PC" HAL.

gospeed.racer · 03-30-2006, 04:21 AM

the only option it gives me is "standard pc with c-step i486" and "other" which requires a txtsetup.oem file, which compaq does not seem to offer. I clicked on the "standard pc" option, and it let me past the screen where it bsod's. But then it hangs on formatting the drive...0%.

So weird! I still cant believe how easily linux and 98se both install, no errors, issues, etc. Never had XP fail me yet. Oh well...off to bed now. If I get the Compaq cd set, I will post my findings. I HATE using factory cd's with all the bloatware and none of my tweaks though

jcdillin · 03-30-2006, 07:19 AM

if you can disable the touchpad, even if it has one of those buttons to disable it. My compaq was doing the same thing untill I did that.

The other thing you can try is hitting F7 when your starting XP setup at the point where it tells you to hit F6. That will disable ACPI which i've had issues like that with as well.

will1384 · 03-30-2006, 05:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jcdillin

if you can disable the touchpad, even if it has one of those buttons to disable it. My compaq was doing the same thing untill I did that.

The other thing you can try is hitting F7 when your starting XP setup at the point where it tells you to hit F6. That will disable ACPI which i've had issues like that with as well.

yea that "disable ACPI" I do that on most of the computers now

you may have a memory problem - I had one dell that was picky
about memory - well a lot of dells are, but this one was even more
so - windows XP would install - and run - but would give me BSOD
all the time - I put linux on it, and have had no more problems

My guess is linux is a little more fault torrent

check the laptops memory - check the speed of the memory,
if you can - you want all the memory at the same speed and
same type - try swaping memory from another laptop,
or one at a time if it has 2 or more memory sticks

84RegalRider · 03-30-2006, 08:12 PM

its a sign.
take it and run wild.

gospeed.racer · 03-30-2006, 09:12 PM

^ LMAO...I know. I really need to learn Linux anyway, and this IS likely a sign.

I have tried the F7 key and it doesnt seem to change anything either. I now have the compaq restore cd's, and I am loading them (as much as I hate to!) just to see if they work. If they do, I may just eBay this thing. Why Compaq and HP need to make things difficult I just dont understand.

Thanks again for the help everyone!

Oh yeah, I am on the second stick of memory, and tried in both slots...no change.

Edit: It failed on the Compaq Cd as well. I can try to boot in safe mode, and it hangs on an ati driver. I delete the ati drive, and it hangs on a agp440 driver. Its just not happy. Looks like its getting windoze 98se or Linux and going on the ebay

Tidder · 03-31-2006, 12:00 AM

I had a similar prob with an older Toshiba... I ended up using floppy boot disks... seems it couldn't read the cd correctly to boot/load properly.

May give it a shot if you have a floppy drive, it's a 6 disk set. You can find them at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

Rafster · 03-31-2006, 12:49 AM

Also, see if you can get 2000 on that sucker.....

Just to dee if it has something to do with NT based OSes

Peace,

Rafster

User Name		Remember Me?
Password