Serious help needed here.

Let me preface this by saying I build systems often. This will be the 23rd system I have built in the past 2 years, and prolly the last.
The Hardware:
2 Maxtor 40 gig hard drives
1 gig DDR 400 ram
AMD athlon 64 3700+ 939 w/ hypertransport
BFG Beforce 6300 GS Overclocked
Ultra Xconnect 500 watt PS
Liteon DVD-rom and CDRW
PCPartner ATI Radeon Xpress 200P Motherboard w/ ATI RS480/RX480+SB400 chipset.

Ive had so many problems with this config that im contemplating the hammer/screwdriver fix soon(they always told us in the Army, that if ya cnt fix it with a hammer and screwdriver, it isnt broken).
My first 2 trys at installing Windows XP w/ integrated SP2 resulted in:
" cannot find the driver for CDROM, HArddrive".
After reformatting both drives, that worked itselfout.
The problem that makes me want to throw a hammer at the pc, is this:
Windows sets up, installs all files, has me put in the key, sets up time/date and all that crap then-
"Cannot Install This Hardware. There was a problem installing this hardware: SYSTEM. The data is invalid."

I have never encountered this error before. I have a system disc, but I need windows first so i can put in the disc. There is no floppy. I hate floppy.It just collects dust.
Have checked all jumper settings on board. they are in the right places.
The error has occured 4 times now, all at the same point. Afterwards, the PC reboots, pops the "there was an error with Windows" screen where it asks for sfae mode, etc, then reboots again, rinse, repeat.
Any help here is appreciated, I may even praise, at random any who can help me, as God has abandoned me.

 

Not got alot of experience with software but this doesnt sound like a hardware problem at all.

Have you tried using another copy of windows to install?

Perhaps the windows disk you are using is corrupt?

Double check the HD is properly inserted aswell i had a problem with that before.

If this all fails try setting up Linux or some other OS on it and then you will know if its windows or the hardware.

 

You might consider taking out all the drives except the one you will use as the master. Get xp up and running. Add one drive at a time. This has been the only way I have ever built a system starting with 286 machines. This will also tell you which is defective. I have tried putting in everything and always run into the problems you described.

 

an update here:
The origional problem was the Windows XP CD. It had CRC errors on it. A friend loaned me his cd, and using my key, we got the dang thing set up.
New problem arose though.
Random system lock-ups. Sometimes it happens when I run winamp, other times while copying files. reinstalled windows twice, reformatting both drives, then taking one out at a time and using the other one. same deal. random lock-ups/system freezes.
Replaced PS.Might be a heat issue, but even running with the case open and the 3 system fans going, still lock-up.
oh yeah, im a man of my word.
PRAISE Necrosjef !!

 

Suggest you download Everest available here at Major Geeks link http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181 this will give you the temps/voltages and a world of valuable data 500 watts from that PSU is kinda light for what you are running, especially if you are Overclocking the Vid. post your Everest Log back, and we can take a look. Hope that Helps

 

Hey man, wanna know how many times I have installed windows because of the same probs?... prolly over 200 times yes its sad... But I have seen it all Hmm this one sounds like you Have so Faulty RAM cause only RAM would make a System freak out like that Trust me, Either that or theres something in the Comp not completly Pluged in so push in all Cords connected ... Also check your BIOS and see if you were supposed to shut off any onboard anything like Video Related and ECT. Man Do not give up lol my other PC's get similar Probs but they can be fixed oh YEAH... even check PCI cards and AGP or if u have Express check and see if the cards are all seated in correctly

 

here is the report. I left everything in it because,: im lazy, and tired.
It is attached, hopefully I did it right.
meh

 

Took a brief glance at your Everest file and by the way you can download Screenhunter 5.0 from here link http://www.wisdom-soft.com/products/screenhunter_free.htm and take a screen shot and post that............I have enclosed a shot of my Everest below...........

First your Mother Board Temps are getting HOT 90c, second your 2.5volt feed is low at 1.34, and is probable your main issue, as I said in my last post I think your pushing the limits of your PSU, the "heat" build-up and the Low Volts kinda confirm that.............I would upgrade the PSU to a 650 Watt unit of your choice.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/2609/screenhunter1pn9.jpg


Hope That Helps

 

Built 23 systems in last two yrs, ya right!
Ha Ha, Still no good at it "LOL"

The first thing I noticed is Low end PSU, xconnect 500 Junk, this could be your problem
I'd also test your memory

You used a Windows CD with Inagrated SP2, is this Original MS Cd?
Try cleaning the CD & clean the CD rom or try a different CDROM
Better check your IDE & power cables for all drives

 

had a thought id try out, but want a little advice.
Do you guys think if I changed video cards to another non-OC one, would it make much difference?
the more i thin about it, up untill i installed the BFG video drivers, it wasnt experiencing the lock-ups.......