Windows Xp Pro New Install On An Old Machine Gets A Black Screen On Reboot

Decided to get a couple of old machines out and turn them on. Neither would boot so I tried reinstalling windows xp pro, windows 7 pro and even linux. Both windows installs but once the machines reboot I get a black screen. Linux would not install just a black screen.
I have tried multiple things like a new power supply, a different monitor, different hard drives, fix mbr, and expand kernel32.dll. I have also cleared the cmos.
The mb is a PC chips Goal 3+ in both machines and I am using IDE drives but did try a SATA drive and same thing happens. It isn't that I really need these machines but now it is an obsession with me to get them working or make sure they are bad/unusable, give up and dispose of them! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

Have you tried to boot into safe mode?
Do these have onboard and installed video?

 

Yes, I tried all the boot modes! Yes these mb's have on board video.
I had a video card in one of them and have taken it out and put it back!

 

You can boot to bios, and you can see the install, when complete after reboot blank screen? That is strange indeed. If it was a driver issue safe mode should get video back. Was the video card in during install? If not try that. I am really at a lose of good advise, just grasping at straws.

 

Can you run a live Linux on these systems? or like an old boot CD like Ultimate Boot CD, just to see if the systems are 'stable'. Maybe hit up The Wayback Machine and make an XP PE with Bart PE or WinBuilder, or search around for a MS DART from the XP era.
I'm mean, you say they go through the Win install and reboot before they black out... You say they are old, the CMOS batteries good?
Do you have a phone that you can record the boot, sometimes the blue screen flashes by really quickly.

 

Yes I can see the install and yes after the install during the first reboot I get the black screen. I have done multiple installs with the video card and without! I am at a loss too and have done about all I know to do even doing some other stuff from researching. I do think I have a bad IDE drive but have used multiple ones and a SATA drive!

 

Have you ever noted a blinking cursor in the upper left corner of the screen? Silly question perhaps, but how did you reinstall? An OEM partition, or a generic DVD-ROM? 32 or 64 bit? I found this if it helps. If the CPU is Intel and 32 bit not AMD and 64 that may cause an issue.

https://www.helpdrivers.com/motherboards/PC_Chips/Socket_754_AMD/GOAL3+_(V1.1C)/

 

I have replaced the CMOS batteries and cleared the CMOS then reset the time etc. Not sure about a live Linux or the other options you mentioned but will see if I can find and figure them out to try. I have made a couple of Linux disks but I couldn't even get them to come up to install? Get the black screen right way, no option to even install.

 

Thanks for the link. I didn't have any success finding a BIOS update for the mb.

 

I have a legal Windows XP service pack 3 that I was using as well as the same of Windows 7 Pro. The Windows 7 says 32 bit and I think/assume the XP is the same.

 

Yes, I think I seen the blinking cursor a couple of times but can't recall when. Most of the time there is no blinking cursor. I have done so many things I can't remember when I seen the blinking cursor. I have done the chkdsk /f and chkdsk /r on the drives as well as deleted the partition, remade it and formatted quick and normal. The CPU is an AMD Sempron.

 

I would NOT update the BIOS. If anything, I would load the drivers at install.

 

I know you said you'd try a live CD, but try recording the boot, so you can see if it is flashing by.
I think XP kinda predates SATA, so are you using a driver to find the drive during the install process?
Win 7 *should* find a SATA controller..definitely more likely than XP.
During safe boot on XP you seeing the text scroll on the screen as items load?
I know you said you were just playing, but if you want to waste more time, get nLite (it's the one for XP) and roll the drivers into the install..maybe..

 

I did record the install but now converting it from mov to mp4. So do you think I should try windows 7 pro again? I was trying the SATA drive again - it is the install in the video. Yes I am retired so have plenty of time so will try anything that might get it to boot! I don't give up easily so will try anything I can. I am not given the option to upload the video?

 

Tried windows 7 pro again on the SATA drive with onboard video. It loads files, starting windows screen comes up, it flickers black then the starting windows screen comes up again with the 4 color orbs then goes black again.

 

Have you tried one stick of RAM? Bad bits write bad data. Worst case scenario is bad CPU. But only if you rule out the HDD and the RAM. This is a useful tool.

https://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/getmirror/memtest,1.html

 

Yes, XP did not natively support SATA. This driver would be loaded at startup.

PC Chips GOAL3+ (V1.1C)
Description: SiS SATA-RAID driver
Operating System: Windows 2000 - Windows XP 32/64bits - Windows Vista
Version 4.11a

 

Did you try the link to the WayBack Machine and try one of those PE disks.
Send me the video here
Try The Ultimate Boot CD, boot it & see if the computer stays "on" (it is not Windows based) then you can also use some of those tools to check RAM, stress the CPU.

 

No I have not tried removing a stick of RAM but I will. Thanks for the link I will try that memory test also.

 

I looked at the WayBack Machine but haven't tried any disks yet. I will try the Ultimate Boot CD. Thanks

 

Starting to get really frustrated! The more I do the more trouble I have! Just got a check the video cable and it also said my install cd was bad! I have been removing the hard drive and deleting the partition from my other computer with a HHD docking device then making a partition and formatting the drive. Should I leave that intact when setup asks or should I reformat on the machine I am wanting to install windows on.? When I format on this machine I can format the total drive but when I do it on the other machine it does not format all of it leaving like 8 bytes or what ever it is. Is that because of the mbr or boot sector? I am starting to think the mb or processor is bad. I will try one more time and then maybe try the second machine! If all else fails I think I will buy a cheap mb, processor & fan, and hard drive and just build a new machine to mess with! I am a computer hoarder and I would also like to setup a Linux machine! I have put Linux on a friends machine before but not on any of mine yet.

 

I do not think it is a sata driver issue, if it was, the installer just would not see the drive. I cant help but think maybe explorer is not starting for whatever reason. When at the black screen press control,shift, and ESC. If task manager opens then the OS has loaded. click start a new task, and enter explorer.exe and hit enter and see if screen comes up. From there you will need to find out why explorer is not starting, but one thing at time.

Edit:I am sorry I did not read up on what you have already done. So if this no longer applies just disregard.

 

Thanks, I did try the ctrl, shift and ESC - nothing! I am willing to try anything! Got the second machine hooked up and trying it. They were both doing the same thing and both have the same mb and processors!
I do think I have a bunch of bad drives but you would think one of them would work! I think I have tried 3 or more IDE drives and at least 2 SATA drives! And I do think the video is working. I just tried to put the video card back in and same thing but when I forgot to remove the card and hooked back up to the on board video I get nothing as it was trying to use the card.

 

I do have IDE removable trays in both machines since it finds the drives I don't think that is an issue and I believe a few times I did just hooked up the drive not in the removable tray. But even at that it should not have effected the SATA drives I used. It sure has me stumped. Oh and I did try my other memory sticks.

 

Tried the Ultimate Boot CD, and Ultimate Boot DVD. Still nothing or the same. Downloading XP PE, Bart PE and MS Dart now. Still trying but still thinking of ordering a cheap set of computer components to get one machine running as well as buying and trying a new hard drive. The hard drives have said one or more errors found when doing chkdsk. When on the docking station on this pc they show good doing a scan. I am not sure what is causing this but beginning to think it something on the mb's.

 

Have you tried unplugging EVERYTHING and reseating it all (CPU, Memory, Cards, ALL Cable connectors).

How long have you let it sit at the Black screen to see IF it will eventually start working?

Is the CPU Fan running? Is the CPU heatsink clean of dust/dirt? Try cleaning off old Thermal Paste/Compound and applying new? Make sure heatsink is making good proper tight contact with CPU. IF heatsink is attached/mounted/affixed with plastic hardware/clips it is possible the plastic has become brittle and broken over time due to age and heat causing the heatsink to loose proper contact with CPU and causing the CPU to overheat and system to freeze on Black screen (same goes for GPU chips that are heatsinked).

 

I have left the unit sit overnight like around 24 hours a couple of times to see if anything happens and still the same black screen when checked on.
No I haven't tried unplugging everything but I will. It is all worth a try! Thanks
Yes the CUP fan is running but I will try removing the fan/heat sink, cleaning, applying fresh thermal paste and putting it back. Again thanks for all the good ideas. I will be trying them! Like I said it is all worth a try so if nothing works at least I gave it all I could.

 

No problem.

Some additional things to try in no specific order. Do easiest ones first.

1) IF you have a spare known good CD/DVD drive give it a try. IF not, try carefully cleaning the drive laser lens (FYI you probably can still find a cleaning CD).

1a) Try carefully cleaning the discs.

2) IF the system has USB ports, allows for USB Booting in BIOS, try making a few different flavors of Linux 32bit (Mint, Ubuntu, Tails, or others that may play nicer with older hardware, etc.) bootable flash drives and see IF it will boot-up from them. The reason for the different Linuxs is I have run into some that won't fully boot on some older systems for some reason. Even try some older builds of the varius Linuxs. IF it does boot, try doing the same with Windows XP and 7 bootable flash drives.

3) Try burning new discs using a different drive, different brand of disc and from a different file/source. I have had issues where a bad and/or 'unliked' or bad burn disc will prevent proper/full install (same with bad/corrupt file/source). As an example I have burned music onto TDK discs and had various CD players have problems playing them (skipping, causing the player to brain fart and make it near impossible to control the player and eject the disc) but burn the same on a Sony disc and no issue. That said, so far I haven't yet had issues burning and reading data/files from the same TDK discs, but that doesn't mean your systems (the one burning and/or the one reading) isn't having issues with the discs you are using.

4) IF you have a newer system that Win 7 works on and where you could plug the drive from your old system into to do a partial/start the install on. Start the install on that old harddrive, when the system shuts down, quick eject the install disc and kill the power. Then put the install disc in the old system, then power it down and reinstall the old harddrive power back up and finish install on old system. Doing this will bypass the memory restrictions in Win 7. I did this for/on a real old Toshiba 2800-S201 Intel Celeron™ processor 650MHz laptop with max memory of 320 Meg (specs https://usermanual.com/support/toshiba/document/2800-s201-specification ) to install Win 7 on it. It was slow BUT worked and functioned. Point is, this would be another troubleshooting tool to see if you can just get your old system functioning and then go from there.

 

After all you have tried, it may be time to call it. Sometimes old boards just will not come back. You could try doing a recap, if the capacitors are dried out they will be out of spec and just don't allow proper current where it needs to be, to work correctly. That could be from the time of cheap junky caps was being used by a lot of manufacturers. Are any of them bulging or leaking?

 

First I want to Thank You for all your suggestions!

I have used two different CD/DVD drives since I had two machines the same and with the same problem.
One is IDE and one SATA and I have switched them out several times.

I am not given the option to boot from an usb drive – wish I did because I have one ready with XP on it?

I have tried LinuxMint – 19.2 cinnamon 32 bit with multiple DVD’s (-R & +R). The little line cursor blinks in the top left corner then an identification text appears at the top of the screen and disappears. Then it shows text “Automatic boot in 10 seconds”. The 10 seconds does not count backwards and nothing happens after 10 or more seconds. Same text stuck screen.

Just for more information. I have noticed Windows XP seems to be written on the hard drive when I remove it and place it in the hard drive dock to check it but Windows 7 does not show on the hard drive when removed and checked on the hard drive dock. Seems like XP writes to the HD before it wants to reboot but Windows 7 appears to me to only load the files then write them after the reboot?

The only other computer I have Windows 7 on is an old laptop. I think I upgraded all my Windows 7 machines to Windows 10 when we were given the option.

Again thanks for all the suggestions! I did break down and order a cheap mb, processor, heat/fan, ram and some hard drives to assemble one of the cases to put Linux on. I may still try things on the one old computer but I really think after all I tried that the mb or processor are bad. Pretty sure some of the hard drives I tried may be bad also.

I did also do a long memory check and it was good, no problems found.

 

Agree and I did break down and order a cheap mb, processor, heat/fan, ram and some hard drives to assemble one of the cases to put Linux on. I may still try things on the one old computer but I really think after all I tried that the mb or processor are bad. Pretty sure some of the hard drives I tried may be bad also.

 

You're welcome.

So in the old computer's BIOS (before boot, would need to press usually one of the 'F' keys to get into the BIOS Before it boots) there is no option to select boot from USB first (NOTE: the BIOS may have more than 1 page/screen to switch between for settings)? May need to cycle through the drive boot options till it gets to where USB is first in the list (each BIOS is different how they do it, IF USB is an option, depend on how old it is. My old Toshiba laptop from 2000 allows USB to be selected first over FDD, CD/DVD, HDD. and allows each one to be cycled through to be first if needed/wanted).

Maybe try a different Linux, maybe one that is light weight and/or more apt to play nice on old hardware. Like these 2 that are light weight and better for either old hardware and/or systems light on specs.

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/arch_linux.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/antix_linux.html


The other machines need not have Win 7 on them now, just that they did install and run Win 7 without issues before/in the past. All you would be using it for is to 'start' the Win 7 install process on a harddrive (old, good or new) put into the good computer (in place of the good working Win 10 drive) and then removed and installed into the old computer to complete the Win 7 intall on the old machine like I described earlier.

Hope the new hardware didn't break the bank.

 

LOL, no the new hardware didn't break the bank but we have spent to much money lately trying to get an old ford 8N tractor running better! And I had already ordered and got two power supplies thinking that might have been the problem but that didn't work either! I have this one good machine I use all the time and a few older backups if needed as well as a fairly new laptop. I have withdrawals if my main pc goes out! LOL I have several security camera systems I monitor on this pc and it is a mess to set them back up - trying to remember passwords etc! I am a techy hoarder! I used to enjoy working on computers but my brain isn't as sharp as it once was! Thanks again. I will get those other two Linux iso files and try them.

 

LOL, same here with "old" tech...

Two thumbs up on the Ford 8N. . Hopefully you you can get it running better soon. What type of fuel/gas you feeding it, is it ethanol free?

Got lots of Linux to pick from https://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/sortdate/linux_distros.html just be mindful of their hardware requirements

For all this trying to install/test OSs you may want to get/use some CD-RW and/or DVD-RW discs so you can reburn/reuse them. Just a thought.

 

No we just buy regular gas so I don't believe it is ethanol free. The old tractor is running better after all the work we did to it. We thought we may have had a cracked block but it looked good and after we replaced the head gasket all seems OK. The tractor was over heating this summer. We replaced the distributor and governor recently as well as a few other things, can't remember all we did. Those old fords are good tractors and thanks to the internet and forums like this one can get information to repair them.

I have some RW DVD disks just never really thought about using them for an install disk. Mostly just used mine like an extra storage device. Doesn't matter as I have lots of disks.

 

So what linux would any of you recommend to put on the machine I will be assembling? I probably need something similar to windows since I am getting old and brain fog! LOL I do have Linux Mint - Cinnamon on a disk, 32 bit and 64 bit.

 

Good to hear you got the old Ford running better.

Personally my first suggestion would be Mint. You could try all the Mint flavors to see which you prefer best. The little I've used Mint, I like it a lot. IF/when I have to use something other than Win XP Pro, 7 and 7 Pro it will most likely be Mint I would use.

IF you are willing to pay and depending on budget, there is Zorin.

Though I am tempted to give Tails a try.

Check out these 2 links.

https://www.majorgeeks.com/content/page/best_linux_distro_windows.html
and this very recent thread

https://forums.majorgeeks.com/threads/windows-alternatives.326451/
The OP ended up with Mint, but there were some other Windows like Linuxs mentioned that sounded interesting.

 

Wow, great articles especially the first one. Downloading the core/free Zorin now. May have to give it a try on my new machine I will be assembling once all my parts get here, hopefully before Christmas! Thanks

Tails sounds interesting. Was just reading up on it!

 

I am not given the option to boot from an usb drive – wish I did because I have one ready with XP on it?
If the system doesn't have an USB option you need plop - https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/plop_boot_manager.html

 

Thanks, I downloaded it!

 

Part it out. With the price of RAM these days, chances for a "legacy market" are pretty good...

 

Has your new parts arrived yet? IF so how is the assembly and OS testing/install going? IF not does the order tracking give an ETA for it?

And any spare time to/for further testing/progress on the old system with the additional software and OS suggestions?

 

No, not all the parts have arrived. The processor is suppose to be here today. Got the other parts. I hate to admit it but I goofed up and bought the wrong processor for the mb I bought! I am an optimist though so it must have been meant to be and now I will be assembling two computers! I ordered the correct processor and a mb for the first processor and of course more ram and another processor fan. Already had ordered several new hard drives as well as the new power supplies I had previously ordered. Oh and bought a new SATA DVD drive as I only had one since one was an IDE DVD.

What the hell it is only money! Can’t take it with me!

I had downloaded a bunch of the suggested iso files and burnt disks but I decided to give up on the old systems as I believe they are just not any good. Already stripped the towers ready for the new parts. Of course now I will have to wait longer for the rest of the parts to get here. Some aren’t expected till Jan 2. Still haven’t figured out what OS to use anyway. I think Linux Mint Cinnamon will be on one but not sure about the other. I may order windows 11 at some point.

I am not in any big hurry. Figure this will give me something to do this winter when I don't want to go outside in the snow, ice and cold!

 

I may be old and my brain isn't as sharp as it use to be but the i3 processor info on Amazon was incorrect hence why I bought the wrong processor. It said it was an 1155 socket and the mb I bought was for an 1155 socket. Next mb coming is an 1150 socket for the i3 processor and I ordered an i5 1155 socket processor for the mb 1st ordered!

Anyway I haven't completely lost my mind! I should have researched better though and maybe I would have noticed the error before ordering!

 

I've got an old LGA1366 on the shelf. Should fire it up. There's just some software you need a legacy machine for.

 

Yes, you should fire up the old machine! I am beginning to think one should fire up old machines every now and then instead of letting them sit all the time. Kind of like a vehicle that sits, but what do I know! Just a thought! I have a few more I should fire up. Did turn on and use my old laptop while trying to make some boot disks for windows XP.

 

Virtual machines can work too. I used to have most versions of Windows on more updated machines. I should try them again with the latest machine.

 

IF you value your Privacy, Rights, Security, Property, Intellectual Property, Sanity among other things. I personally WOULDN'T let Win 11 in the house let alone anywhere near a computer, WOULDN'T touch it with a 10ft pole (for me 10 miles isn't far enough).

Bummer abt. the CPU mistake... But you get double the fun assembling two systems.

Hopefully by the time you read this the CPU (and maybe the other parts too) will be in your hands.

 

No most of the rest of the parts I ordered won't be here till Jan 2nd so I have one CPU and one MB that aren't compatible. But I have time and in no hurry anyway! I have several other PC's and this good one I use. I hope it holds up! Not sure when I built it.

So what do you use if you don't like windows? Linux?

 

Haven't ever tried any virtual machines! Guess I should look into it and maybe try! Thanks