Very odd vista problem, could use help!

[kjuckett]

Hi,

I ran into an issue I have never seen before. For the record, let me state the system specs;

AMD Opteron 165 @ 1.8 ghz dual core
DFI Lanparty NF4 Ultra-D
Sapphire Technologies Radeon 4830 512mb PCI-E
Western Digital 250gb Sata
2GB Patriot DDR500
DVD-RW

This computer ran Vista x64 fine for over a year. The guy I sold it to brought it back to me the other day stating it started up, but just a black screen. First thought was power supply.

Replaced the power supply with a 500 watt Thermaltake. System POST's. Gets to windows screen with the loading bar. Freezes. Decide to re-install thinking maybe there was too many unsucessful boots.

Install is VERY slow. Never have I seen it do this. It takes forever to get into the language screen. Finally once installed, Freezes at the windows screen with the loading bar underneath, yet again.

Fooling around, I popped out the CMOS battery and cut all power to the system (Resetting CMOS, yes I know I can do it via Jumpers as well but I dont have the manual handy) and low and behold once I replace the battery and reboot I get into vista. I shutdown, restart to see if everythings all set. Frozen at the windows loading bar screen again.

I re-test my theory, pop the battery and cut power. Reboot. System loads into vista. I went out and bought a new CMOS battery, in the odd chance that it was the issue. No avail.

I ran Vistas Memory Diagnostic Tool to check the ram sticks, thinking maybe vista checks the ram upon entry into vista (clearing CMOS may stop it scanning on first boot, since motherboard drops back into a so called "safe mode") and ram came back ok.

I ran one more theory test, which was formatting with an old version of windows XP (x86, non service pack). Boots into XP every time, no issue.

My mind is FUBAR. Cant figure this issue out, never seen a damn thing like it. Any takers?

Kyle

 

[richc46]

You did not mention, but are you doing a clean install. It can be done with an upgrade disc. If you still have the same problem with a clean install, evidence points toward hardware. With an upgrade install, any problems with the software will carryforward to the new OS.

 

[patio]

You could also try the clean install with only 1 stik of RAM...
But i agree...clean install is the way to go.

I'd also DLoad and run the diagnostics from the HDD manuf. website.

 

[kjuckett]

Sorry about that, thought I included every little bit of info but realized I missed a few things (so much for late night posts).

I am using a full version of vista (not an upgrade). Im doing a full install, including format. I have also used FDISK to delete everything on the hard drive before installing.

I have checked the Vista DVD on my laptop. I didnt follow through with an install, but felt I didnt need to. The install operations ran fast and smooth, as it should on the desktop (but doesnt).

I have tried a regular IDE hard disk. Same slow installs, same locking at the windows loading screen.

I have run Memtest86 (which comes with the mobo) and Vistas Memory Diagnostic Tool. Both passed. I have tried launching into windows with only one stick of ram present. Ive switched between both sticks, in case one or the other was bad. No luck.

So that leaves me with mobo failure, processor failure, or ?????

None of which makes sense, because last night I installed Windows XP Professional x86 and the computer works like a charm. No locking at loading screens. No speed issues.

hope I cleared up anything I missed.

 

[kjuckett]

bump