Error installing Vista x64

Hi guys. I'm in need of some help.

I'm trying to install Vista Ultimate x64, but I keep getting an error message from windows boot manager. It gets past the "windows is loading setup files" bit then I get the message.

My system has changed a little bit, so I'll give you a background.

I'm was running an AMD x2 5600+, 2GB ram, with an MSI m/b. I had a single 320GB HD that was partitioned so I had a dual boot XP+vista 32bit machine. Everything working fine.

I upgraded my motherboard to the new ATI SB700 version M/B, and put 4GB of ram in.

I had to re-format my HD and re-install XP Pro, which has worked a treat. When I tried to install Vista from then on, X86 or X64 version, it would give me the error message and wouldn't let me install vista. I tried to install a 64bit version of Ubuntu to test, but I still got the same error message.

I have run the FIXMBR command from the XP recovery console, but still no luck.

Error message is:-

WINDOWS BOOT MANAGER

windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause

file: \windows\system32\boot\winload.exe
status: 0xc000035a
info: attempting to load 64 bit application, cpu not compatable with 64 bit mode.


Any ideas?

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Hi Christof,
Welcome to the Vista forums.

Can you check your CPU with: http://www.cpuid.com/download/cpuz_145.zip

yeah no probs here it is. I know it's a 64bit CPU, as I built the system myself.

Yep, i know this cpu but sometimes it is not recognize as X86-64 an may occur some 64 problems.
As your mobo is new, did you check your bios configuration?

I've checked the bios becasue originally I was getting the BSOD at install telling me my bios wasn't ACPI compatabpe, but I checked this in the bios and it is, and it was already enabled in the bios.

Re-format the partition in which you want to install Vista and try again.

Assuming that your BIOS is set correctly and all other things being equal, I suggest getting a Win98 Boot disk with FDISK on it. Either a floppy or CD is fine.

You can get one from the following site:

WWW.BOOTDISK.COM

Boot with that, run FDISK and delete ALL partitions found, regardless of type.

Afterwards, when all partitions are gone, eascape back to a prompt, and BEFORE you reboot, go back to fdisk running this command FDISK /MBR

It will appear to do nothing, but it did.

Reboot with the OS install disk of your choice and install. IF the problem was in fact remnants left on your HD, this will solve it.

Hope that helps.

thanks for the help guys. I was afraid I might have to start over again with the hard drive!

Oh well you live and learn. lol. I'm gonna have to back up all my files and stuff first before I do all that. That's going to be fun.

I suppose that your "vista" partition is empty, so no problem.

I don't have any partitions now. When I changed my hardware I had to re-format the HD. So I've got 1 drive now with XP pro on it.

I partitioned it with Paragon partition manager, but the vista installation still doesn't work.