BSOD on XP Install

This computer has had problems for a while now. A couple weeks ago I ran every scan I could think of and ran it through the virus removal instructions on the malware forum. Now that I got all important data off of it I'm ready to format and install windows, however, that isn't working for some reason.

I put in the XP disc, boot from it, and whenever I get into the volume delete menu it BSOD's before I even have a chance to format the drive. Actually, so far it hasn't even recognized the HDD when in setup so there isn't even anything listed to delete.

I didn't copy down the code but the message is: "PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA"

After a few tries it is now not even booting windows, it freezes at the Welcome splash screen plus it has begun BSOD'ing while the disc is loading windows files.

I can't think of any other way to format since you can't, or I can't figure out how to, format from the command prompt. All I need is to wipe the HDD and do a clean install of Windows but now I'm worried that the HDD is on the fritz or there is some exotic virus interfering with the system even though I'm booting windows from a CD...

 

Greetings, rdmctigger.

Quite possibly a RAM problem - you might try reseating your memory modules, and if you've got more than one stick of RAM, try pulling one at a time, switching slots, etc., see if your symptoms change.

If you're able to burn a bootable disk, you might try Memtest.

Quick question - does your BIOS recognize the drive and memory?

 

How do I check if the BIOS recognizes them?

Also, the BIOS is out of date, I was just checking and an update was released last month.

I'll go try reseating the RAM right now.

 

Usually, a setup program's first page is the Standard CMOS page, which should list the drives installed in your machine, and the amount of installed memory.

 

Reseating didn't work and the computer seems to recognize that it has memory and that it has a drive, at least in the system information and the belarc advisor report.

 

I'd be willing to bet the farm that this is hardware related, unless some outside force screwed your MBR, which is extremely rare. You might want to start testing the HD, check PSU, check connections, etc.

If it were your BIOS, seems like you would have seen problems from the beginning, instead of just happening suddenly, so you might want to hold off on that BIOS flash.

All original equipment? What kind of machine is it, make and model #, etc.? Can you get your hands on another optical drive, make sure the original is ok?

 

You could always try booting the computer with a live Linux distro (a few good ones that come to mind are Mint or Ubuntu). Just be sure to run it as a live version, and don't install it.

Instructions for formatting a disk with the NTFS file system (which Windows uses) using live Ubuntu are here:

http://maketecheasier.com/how-to-re...ive-to-ntfs-format-in-ubuntu-hardy/2008/09/29

 

And I went into setup (F2 at the first screen setup) and saw the RAM and HDD.

I have to download a program to burn memtest to a disc before I can try it, still in the process of downloading.

 

Agreed with mcsmc - any Linux disk is a good disk.

Couple of more questions: is this the same machine as in this thread? If so, were you cleared by the Malware guys? Just curious.

And, of course, the possibility exists that the Windows disk is damaged, which may be proven somewhat if Linux or Memtest boots are successful.

Somewhat misread your original post - I was assuming that this was a non-bootable drive. Sorry about that.

 

They didn't clear me but taking care of that computer was taken out of my hands so I never followed up which is also part of the reason I want to re-format because I don't totally trust the job the other guy did.

I've used two different discs and neither worked and one of them had never even been opened. I actually kind of like the Linux idea I just have to figure it out first.

 

What versions of XP were you trying? SP2 or SP3?
Try hitting f7 when the istall starts and prompts you fo scsi drivers.

 

Sorry, didn't have access to the computer last night. It's Windows XP SP3.

 

Turns out I was missing some SAS raid driver that was required to start the install of XP.

 

Glad it turned out to be something simple - thanks for the feedback. :major