Vista Tutorial - Windows failed to start

I am building a brand new system and bit the bullet and am attempting to install Vista Ultimate 64 with SP1 (Brand Spanking New DVD with SP1 on it).

Everything boots up just fine, memory is okay (4 Gb), install runs fine and after the reboot, I get the following:

File: \Windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe

Status: 0xc00000e9

Info: Windows failed to load because the kernel is missing, or corrupt.

(I purchased all parts and software from Newegg)

When I go to the MS Support site and put in the Product Key, it tells me that it's in an invalid format. 5 - 5 - 5 - etc is what I have, however, Microsoft is wanting 5 - 3 - 5 -etc. format.

I have pulled out EVERYTHING and disconnected EVERYTHING except the DVD, HD, and vid card, so I'm running it as barebones as I can. (Thank God I kept my XP system... )

Please help before I go play Frisbee Golf with this DVD.

"Krrong" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:82f856c69a659ec73459701a6e23be8d@xxxxxx-gateway.com...
I am guessing you have an SATA drive.
In theory, Vista has SATA drivers built in...but maybe not for all
hardware...
so I'd check the CD that came with your mobo and if it has Vista SATA
drivers
load them at the beginning of the installtion when the installer asks you if
you have add'l drivers to load

Yep. 320GB SATA drive. Will try what you suggested and report back. Thank you!

Okay, found the drivers and loaded them. For future reference, the drivers from the Motherboard CD are required if you are installing with a EVGA NVIDA NForce 780i SLI board. They are obviously under the Vista64 IDE area of the CD.

It's still giving me the same error.

Instructions for board say to install drivers after OS is installed. This is really starting to tick me off. Everything I have is V64 compatible. I've checked Mobo settings until my eyes are crossed. There's got to be something that I've missed.

"Krrong" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:82f856c69a659ec73459701a6e23be8d@xxxxxx-gateway.com...MS Support is asking for the Product ID, not the Product Key.
The Product ID is available in the system properties screen, and
therefore is only available after a successful install.

During installation Vista copies the installation files to the HD
and runs them from there, so it looks like your SATA drive is
functioning. By default the BIOS usually has SATA configured
as IDE. The drivers loaded after installation just ensure the HD
is performing at max DMA.

Have you tried installing Vista with only 2 GB of RAM on board.
There have been reported problems with installing Vista 64 on
some systems with more than 2 GB installed. The full 4 GB
then functions after the installation, or after SP1 is loaded.

Will attempt that tomorrow. Thanks! Vista is about as finicky as a ... (insert thought that may get me into trouble with the wife) Will post any results (positive or negative).

"Krrong" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:c463a1dd7dc724fb46cca580479453f0@xxxxxx-gateway.com...I hope to heck you get it working...

Dropping the memory down to 2 Gb didn't work. Going for 1 Gb in Dimm 0 next.

I ordered Vista 32 Ultimate and Crucial Memory instead of the GeIL that I have now from Newegg last night just in case.

Still not working with 1Gb of mem (single stick). Putting in an old vid card. It may not like this new 9600 Nvidia.