**Hardware malfunction error

[Aldayne]

Getting this error, a blue screen, on an old computer:

*** Hardware Malfunction
Call your hardware vendor for support
*** The system has halted ***

The PC uses an old Award bios (1998) and the error occurs every time an attempt is made to install Windows 2000 or XP. Windows 98SE and ME can be installed without error. I know it has something to do with a bios setting but which one? All unnecessary peripherals have been removed. Right now, it's just RAM(not defective), HD, video. Any ideas?

[deakie]

try doing an upgrade from 98 instead of a clean install....

[Aldayne]

Tried that already but as soon as a reboot is required and the copied files attempt to boot, the error occurs or the system just hangs. Nothing built on NT technology will install.

[Kev4eva]

maybe u might need to flash the bios since its an award 1998

[Electrotechnic]

U load defaults??? Maybe something is wrong with ur mem timings. Auto normally fixes it but u may have to manually set it.

[Aldayne]

maybe u might need to flash the bios since its an award 1998

I considered that but the old board apparently has it's latest update already.


U load defaults??? Maybe something is wrong with ur mem timings. Auto normally fixes it but u may have to manually set it.

I did load the defaults but that didn't change anything. I will try modify the memory timings.

[Yung_Jah]

or maybe something wrong with the CD or DVD that Windows 2000 or Xp is on.

With the old system, what drive is in there? If it is an old drive....try replacing it with one of yours that is nearly up-to-date....then try the 2000 or XP disc.

I had that problem too...and the problem was with the drive....hope that solve the case.

If not, then I can't help you any further....I would say the motherboard not compatible.

[Aldayne]

Naw...it's not the drive nor media. Tried three optical drives (dvd-rom, cd-rom, cd-burner) and also tried about four OS disks (two win2000 and two winXP). Also tried a different graphics card with no luck.

[deakie]

copy the i386 folder to the hard drive and run the setup from there....

secondly...ensure smart drive is running.....
if it isnt in the bios as a switch, then utilise the boot cd's.....

[malco1987]

I had that same problem once, my system was running on a 300 watt PSu but the system did not want to load the operating system i changed out everything memory, processor, video and still the same thing, but when i switched out my PSu to a 250 watt the thing worked i could not believe it

The motherboard manufacturer stated it could be used with a 200-400 watt PSu
and the 300 watt Psu worked perfectly with another system

[Aldayne]

The motherboard manufacturer stated it could be used with a 200-400 watt PSu
and the 300 watt Psu worked perfectly with another system

As you mentioned that, i did try two other psus on the board and it didn't even power up. It has a 300w and i tried two 350w and they didn't work.


secondly...ensure smart drive is running.....

Hmm...smart drive...did i? Will check that out

[Electrotechnic]

From what I'm getting, XP installing is not the prob. XP booting is. Not even safe mode works?

[frass2000]

i think its a problem with the board, you already removed everything from the system already and it still not installing. its a long shot but you could try ubcd4win and see if that come up ok, seeing that it uses the actual windows xp files if it doesnt boot then i guess we can say its the board that causing the problem

[Aldayne]

From what I'm getting, XP installing is not the prob. XP booting is. Not even safe mode works?

Nothing works, safemode, vga, none work. The error always occur as soon as the boot screen is to appear. The first phase of setup, copying setup files occur, but as soon as setup requires restart to complete it restarts or give error. Beginning to think it's the m/board as well but why would it work fine with 98 and ME?

ubcd4win works fine but XP live cd can't boot. Btw, system has 800mhz pentium and 256mb sdram.

[malco1987]

Nothing works, safemode, vga, none work. The error always occur as soon as the boot screen is to appear. The first phase of setup, copying setup files occur, but as soon as setup requires restart to complete it restarts or give error. Beginning to think it's the m/board as well but why would it work fine with 98 and ME?

ubcd4win works fine but XP live cd can't boot. Btw, system has 800mhz pentium and 256mb sdram.

And you already switched out the memory already is it a pc100 / 133 in it now

[Electrotechnic]

Nothing works, safemode, vga, none work. The error always occur as soon as the boot screen is to appear. The first phase of setup, copying setup files occur, but as soon as setup requires restart to complete it restarts or give error. Beginning to think it's the m/board as well but why would it work fine with 98 and ME?

ubcd4win works fine but XP live cd can't boot. Btw, system has 800mhz pentium and 256mb sdram.


I dunno yute. Chipset limitation? Bad board? Something is failing to initialize. Is ME and 98 32 bit or 16 bit?

[Aldayne]

That one is a mystery...can't bother with it...it must be the m/board. It actually stop powering up sometimes like the switch isn't initializing the psu. Win98 has to stay on it as that works flawlessly.

[Yung_Jah]

Most likely the motherboard is the problem. As I did say....maybe the board is not compatible to work with 2000 or XP.

[Aldayne]

Naw the board is compatible. XP was actually running fine on it few months ago.

[lovepython]

whats the brand and model of the board? also what the bios version?

[Aldayne]

whats the brand and model of the board? also what the bios version?

Some old asus board p3v something. Can't find where i wrote the bios version...don't have system with me anymore.