NationStates Jolt Archive

In order to replace the aging laptop I'm writing on now, I tried to build a new computer today, but I'm stuck. The operating system is Win XP w/ SP2, or at least it would be if it would install correctly. Every time, for the last four tries, the installation will get to a certain point, the part before it allows you to set date, time, etc., and the computer will completely turn off.

Since my local brain trust doesn't know much about computer building, I'm turning this problem over to the NSG tech know-it-all's and asking for some help. Why does my machine just shutdown halfway through WinXP installation and how can I get it to stop?

For illustrative pruposes, the first picture on this site (http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_pro_install_-_graphic_1.htm) is where the shutdown occurs.

Check to make sure the heatsink fan is properly seated on the processor. Otherwise after a period of time (depending on how hot it gets) it'll just automatically shut down to prevent damage.

Hmm... Im not a computer genious but I know my freind ran into this problem before and all he had to do was replace the power suply.

several things to try.

Do you have a startup/bootup diskette with the cd drivers? if not... make one before you do anything else.

1) is the HDD new? if not, run the HDD test in the BIOS setup.

2) check your RAM. make sure they're not faulty.

3) try blow away the partition on the HDD.

Check to make sure the heatsink fan is properly seated on the processor. Otherwise after a period of time (depending on how hot it gets) it'll just automatically shut down to prevent damage.
Heating isn't an issue. The heat sink is in place and the CPU is seated below a fan in the case. Anyway, I've run the system for a few hours already to make sure that the CPU wouldn't roll over, but it always craps out on me at the same place during the WinXP install.
several things to try.

Do you have a startup/bootup diskette with the cd drivers? if not... make one before you do anything else.
The drivers may be the problem, then. I just assembled this unit and the only thing I've run it on is BIOS, the drivers might not be in place.
1) is the HDD new? if not, run the HDD test in the BIOS setup.

2) check your RAM. make sure they're not faulty.

3) try blow away the partition on the HDD.

1) New out the wrapping. BIOS still reads it just fine and the WinXP install seems to have no trouble formatting it

2) Those I checked on a friends machine. Brand new and running just fine.

3) Not sure what you mean there. I have deleted and re-formatted the partition each install attempt, but no luck.

If the operating enviorment is on a disk I'd check for scratches and clean it. I'd also open up the computer and make sure everythings in place. If its a laptop check the battery. Desktop, check the fan and power supply.

The drivers may be the problem, then. I just assembled this unit and the only thing I've run it on is BIOS, the drivers might not be in place. doubt it. if you can read the cd then the drivers work... a boot up cd is one that will get the pc running without the HDD. considering everything is new... forget about a boot up diskette. ;)

3) Not sure what you mean there. I have deleted and re-formatted the partition each install attempt, but no luck.
partitions is how the HDD is divided. most times it one huge block say... you have a 200 GB drive. most likely you will have one partition of 200 gigs.
a program like Partition magic (or if your HDD came with a diskette/CD, a partition manager would be on there) can add, or delete partitions. say you can make 2 drives (C: and D: ) of 100 gb each or as many as you want.

erasing the partition is different than reformatting... think of it as one level higher than reformatting.

when you start the install again, does it mention that the files of an operating system is installed (the previous installation)?

erasing the partition is different than reformatting... think of it as one level higher than reformatting.

when you start the install again, does it mention that the files of an operating system is installed (the previous installation)?

Yeah. My options, at that point, are to repair the previous installation or continue. If I continue, I either install over the old files or delete the previous partition I created last time.

Yeah. My options, at that point, are to repair the previous installation or continue. If I continue, I either install over the old files or delete the previous partition I created last time.

ok... so we know it's accessing the disk and writing the files onto your HDD. that's good.

now are you sure there is NO error messages that pop up before the screen goes dark?

ok... so we know it's accessing the disk and writing the files onto your HDD. that's good.

now are you sure there is NO error messages that pop up before the screen goes dark?

I have seen one, but the screen goes out before I can read it. The most I got from it was that there was a write error, no error code, though.

I have seen one, but the screen goes out before I can read it. The most I got from it was that there was a write error, no error code, though.

could it have been something like "access denied" or "unable to write" ?

Need to go now. will be on tomorrow.

could it have been something like "access denied" or "unable to write" ?

Need to go now. will be on tomorrow.

After a few more failed installs, it looks like that message only shows after trying to restart setup. A fresh install is just a simple shutdown.

I'm going to crack open the case one more time and see if I can find what's wrong, but I welcome more input as to why I'm getting these constant shutdowns.

Technology is the devil...

try giving your computer an exorcism...

Technology is the devil...

try giving your computer an exorcism...

What, you want me to uninstall Vista?
Would do, but this laptop refuses Linux at the moment. :(

Edit: regarding the OP's problem, could your CPU fan be malfunctioning somehow? It would explain why it turned off as soon as it started doing anything even a bit strenuous.

Technology is the devil...

try giving your computer an exorcism...
I already made an animal sacrifice to appease Microsoft, but I may have to use my neighbor's other cat to get Windows working...
What, you want me to uninstall Vista?
Would do, but this laptop refuses Linux at the moment. :(

Edit: regarding the OP's problem, could your CPU fan be malfunctioning somehow? It would explain why it turned off as soon as it started doing anything even a bit strenuous.

The damn stock heat sink is the culprit, I think. It's a massive bitch to install, uses weak plastic push pins instead of screws, and I just found out that one had popped out on me. BIOS is showing a lot of heat on the CPU, so I'll risk snapping the motherboard in half and see if I can push it in all the way.

The damn stock heat sink is the culprit, I think. It's a massive bitch to install, uses weak plastic push pins instead of screws, and I just found out that one had popped out on me. BIOS is showing a lot of heat on the CPU, so I'll risk snapping the motherboard in half and see if I can push it in all the way.

Is it one of those stock Intel heatsink/cooler that come with socket 775 CPUs?

So I could be almost right, which would be a rarity with hardware problems (I'm more a software person). :)

So the shutting down could be due to heat-related problems.
The error which you mention, then, could just be Windows screwing up/performing as Microsoft wants it to on the installation and making the files read-only until some later part in the installation process, in which case it would probably then give a write error. Although don't quote me on that. ;)

Is it one of those stock Intel heatsink/cooler that come with socket 775 CPUs?
Yes, and I'm already looking for a replacement. I almost crushed the motherboard to get it on, but the CPU temp is stable and the WinXP install is actually moving. Once I've got the software running and updated, I'll trash it and get something with stronger connectors.
So I could be almost right, which would be a rarity with hardware problems (I'm more a software person). :)

So the shutting down could be due to heat-related problems.
The error which you mention, then, could just be Windows screwing up/performing as Microsoft wants it to on the installation and making the files read-only until some later part in the installation process, in which case it would probably then give a write error. Although don't quote me on that. ;)

Probably the case. I really don't know hardware as well as I do software, so I'll defer to your (relative) expertise.

So problem solved? And you'll get a new heat sink to ensure it doesn't happen again?
Goodo.

Also, my expertise with hardware is probably worse than yours. I'm just better at hiding it. :p

Yes, and I'm already looking for a replacement. I almost crushed the motherboard to get it on, but the CPU temp is stable and the WinXP install is actually moving. Once I've got the software running and updated, I'll trash it and get something with stronger connectors.

Intel CPUs are better than the AMD ones but the idiot who designed the brackets for the heatsink should be shot. I like the ones that AMD uses, two levers secure the heatsink with less risk (but are a bit tight).

Intel CPUs are better than the AMD ones but the idiot who designed the brackets for the heatsink should be shot. I like the ones that AMD uses, two levers secure the heatsink with less risk (but are a bit tight).

Agreed. I've been waiting a long time to upgrade to a new system and having this kind of problem gave me a headache. It's bad enough I stupidly ordered a monitor that wouldn't work with my graphics card, I had to repeatedly overheat my CPU before I figured out what was wrong.

Ilear: No, I really only know what I picked from tinkering with my old laptop. The fact my new computer is working fine now is more due to the help of people on the Internet than anything else. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to Office Space (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzGWvZAd228&feature=related) my old computer and finally have vengeance for the shit it gave me during finals.