Booting Issues

So yesterday I decided to try out Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit since I will be getting an additional 4GB of RAM to add to my current 4GB of RAM. I use RAM heavy programs such as After Effects etc

So, thinking it would be simple and easy, I installed Vista64 onto an empty SATA HDD (I didn't want to risk my 32bit Vista tbh) and it ran fine.. then graphical errors started happening, crashes happening. I reinstalled again, was fine, then the crashes again.

Now I cannot even boot into Vista64, my screen flashes, all I see is the cursor on a black background. Thats it.. it doesn't stop until I turn off my computer. I would post boot logs.. or.. something that might help but I can't even log in. I'm thinking maybe its my graphics card? Should I perhaps slipstream SP1 into Vista64 using vLite?

Also just so you know, this is a completely legit version of Vista 64, bought from Microsoft's online distributor. So its not altered.. or cracked or modified in anyway. I just don't want to slipstream SP1 and waste another DVD for it to not work =/

Specs:
Mobo: Asrock ALiveXFire-eSATA2 (Socket AM2) PCI-Express DDR2
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5000+ Black Edition 2.60GHz (Socket AM2)
RAM: OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2
GPU: Sapphire's Radeon X800
HDD's: IDE 40GB, SATA 500GB, SATA 200GB (200GB is the HDD I used to install 64 bit on)
SOUND: Creative Soundblaster Audigy SE

Boot into safe mode. Check the device manager for problems. Install latest video drivers. Install the proper chipset drivers for your motherboard and OS.

I was unable to boot into safe mode. I re-installed Vista 64 again last night, and I got the problem before it could even finish installing. But I managed to log in today and I'm currently using it now. I've installed a few updates, and installed a graphics driver directly from my mobo's website and the LAN driver from the website. Both work for 32bit and 64 bit. I'm downloading SP1 right now and hoping that nothing goes wrong.

I'm thinking that maybe because I was using dual monitors, that it may have caused an issue.

EDIT: I believe its Aero which is messing up. I noticed that Aero was disabled, and the theme was basic. So I tried to change it and boom, it happened all over again. Screens flashing black and I can only see the cursor, all the correct drivers are installed.. so I give up

Hello jaysquirrel.

? ? ? Be sure about the drivers before you 'give up' !


Later Ted

So I logged into safe mode and did a system restore. I think I'm gonna skip using update, since both times I used it, it crashed my system. Hopefully this time I'll be able to keep my system alive =p

Hello jaysquirrel,

Have you tried SP1 from here...

Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for x64-based Systems (KB936330)

Just dl/save it so you have when you need it!


Later Ted

Ive tried downloading it several times today. But each time IE/FF has crashed or its just stopped downloading. Maybe its a sign that I shouldn't install it

Anyway so far I've gotten Adobe After Effects installed and it works perfectly.

EDIT: Well, I just installed my bios reccomended LAN driver, and now I can access mozilla.org.. weird, but awesome.

You Need SP1!


Later Ted

Ummm you are installing all 64bit drivers, correct?

I ma concerned that your Creative card may not have 64 bit drivers....have you tried removing that puppy and seeing if some of your problems go away?

Yup all 64 bit drivers.

Its ATi which has been giving me problems, I tried to install SP1 but I got an error, I'll retry now and post the error. Its working alright without SP1 anyway, I mainly just need 64bit for After Effects and Photoshop, which it currently does

EDIT: So I'm noticing some more graphical issues, gonna reinstall a ATi driver, older one. When I try and install SP1 I get an error saying "internal error occurred 0x80070002" and it gives me a help link go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=101139

I'm currently running the the System File Checker tool and have told the Windows Vista Memory Diagnostic Tool to run on my next restart.