MSI K8N Neo blinking power led?

Okay.. so..
I just upgraded my system with the mobo mentioned above and an AMD Athlon 64 3200+.
I wanted to test some different some different linux systems that do 64 bits.. so, first i try gentoo and then debian-amd64 (both are text based/curses based installs).
The installs go great.. but when i finish up and install X the system halts and the power led starts flashing.
I suspect that X might be pushing my power supply to the limit (for windows users.. X is a graphical interface to linux;)
So, should i go to my store and buy a new PS?
If so, can you recommend any, or any specs of the PS?
Any replies are appreciated.

You will have to make a bootable floppy with the latest bios here is MSI web page maybe this will help you http://www.msicomputer.com/support/bios_result.asp.

Similar Messages

  • *UPDATED 7/15/04* Complete guide to bioses, drivers, and needed files for the MSI K8N Neo Platinum

    Complete newbie's guide to bioses, drivers, and needed files for the MSI K8N Neo Platinum:
    Last Updated: Thursday July 15th, 2004
    Bioses:
    (In order of date released.)
    1.1b3 - (Download)
    - Pre-1.1, given to reviewers to use in their reviews and benchmarks.
    - Less stable, but supposedly you get slightly better overclocks.
    1.1 Official - (Download)
    1. This is AWARD BIOS release
    2. This BIOS fixes the following problems of the previous version:
    - Memory always run DDR 200 when install single side DDR on DIMM2 & DIMM3.
    - Windows 2000 can't format the RAID IDE HDD when plug in Promise 378 controller.
    1.2b5 - (Download)
    1.2b7 - (No Download Yet)
    1.2b10 - (Download)
    - First attempt to fix false temperature readings. Fixes it for some people with Newcastle cores and doesn't fix it for anybody with Clawhammer cores.
    1.2b12 - (Download)
    - Second attempt to fix false temperature readings. Fixes it for some people with Newcastle cores and some people with Clawhammer cores.
    1.3b1 - (Download)
    - Another attempt to fix temperature problems?
    - Possibly fixes cold boot/power light issues?
    1.2 Official - (Download)
    1. This is AWARD BIOS release
    2. This BIOS fixes the following problems of the previous version:
    - System can't resume from S3 sometimes when install USB device.
    - Support K8 Sempron CPU.
    - Turn off keyboard LED in S3.
    --Quick Guide for flashing BIOS, provided by MSI--
    1. Create a MS-DOS boot diskette, then copy the the .exe and the bios file to the floppy disk. Both of these files can be found in the package you downloaded.
    2. Press "Delete" and go to BIOS setup while computer bootup.
    Check BIOS advanced features and see if BIOS flash write control is enabled
    (This option must be enabled. If you can not find this setting, it means the BIOS can be
    flashed.)
    3. Boot from MS-DOS boot diskette and get a:\> prompt.
    4. Type "", then press ENTER
    5. The flash program will then ask "Do you want to save BIOS?", please press "N" for no. The when you see Press 'Y' to program or 'N' to Exit, please press "Y" to continue.
    6. After flashing complete, remove floppy and reset the system .
    7. Press DELETE or F1 when prompted at first reboot after flashing.
    8. Load BIOS optimized defaults, then save settings and exits.
    Drivers & Needed Files:
    (Note: All these drivers are for Windows XP.)
    Leaked Nvidia nForce3 Chipset Drivers Version 4.40
    (Please use at your own risk, these are LEAKED drivers. Password for the .zip file is "ocworkbench rules". Also, you will need to rename the WinXP_2K folder in IDE to either WinXP or Win2K else the installer doesn't pick it up.) Thanks for the link Wonkanoby!
    *NEW* Leaked Nvidia nForce3 Chipset Drivers Version 5.03
    More leaked drivers? Seems some parts of the drivers are older and some are newer.
    1. Windows XP Service Pack 1A (Web Install) -or- Windows XP Service Pack 1A (Full Install)
    2. Microsoft DirectX 9.0b (Web Install) -or- Microsoft DirectX 9.0b (Full Install)
    3. Nvidia nForce3 Chipset Drivers Version 4.24
    4. AMD Athlon 64 Processor Driver Version 1.1.0.14
    5. Nvidia Video Card Driver Version 56.72 -or- Omega Nvidia Video Card Driver Version v1.5303
    (The Omega drivers are third party drivers optimized for gaming, most prefer these over the standard Nvidia drivers.)
    5. ATI Video Card Driver Version 4.7 -or- Omega ATI Video Card Driver Version 2.5.51
    (The Omega drivers are third party drivers optimized for gaming, most prefer these over the standard ATI drivers.)
    6. Onboard Sound Driver (Realtek AC'97 Audio Codec) Version A3.61
    It is HIGHLY reccomended that you install the drivers/needed files in the order listed above. Please note that there are two #5's because you either install one or the other depending on your video card, do not install both of them.
    You will come across a problem here though. You can't install the chipset drivers without installing the Windows service pack and DirectX first, but the Windows service pack and DirectX installs need the internet to download files and you won't have working internet until you install the chipset drivers. Here's what I did to get around this. Instead of downloading the web install versions of Windows service pack and DirectX, download the full version and and put them along with all the other drivers on a backup hard drive or burn them to a CD, this way you will have all the drivers you need when it's time to install them and none of them will require the internet to download files.
    Another note when installing drivers. Apparently the Nvidia chipset drivers also come with drivers for the onboard sound, but people seem to agree that the Realtek onboard sound drivers are better. When you are installing the Nvidia chipset drivers, just be sure to uncheck the box for sound drivers when it asks you which drivers you would like to install. Now you can safely install the Realtek drivers without any chance of conflicting sound drivers. Thanks for the tip Wonkanoby!

    Quote
    Originally posted by RLiu818
    Quote
    Originally posted by Deviation56
    Quote
    Originally posted by RLiu818
    You CAN install the nforce drivers BEFORE installing SP1.  The only requirement to install the nforce drivers is DX9.
    So is SP1 still recommended to install before the nforce drivers?
    The installer still reccomends to install it beforehand for full USB 2.0 functionality... I would have put what you said in there but I wanted to keep it as simple as possible.  
    oh.  IIRC the installer just says USB 2.0 will be fully functional after SP1 is installed.  So after you install SP1 you go into device manager and u click update driver and it will auto search and update the driver.
    Simplicity-wise, i guess its pretty much equal.  It might take less preparation to just copy DX9 full onto a CD and install that first, then nforce driver, then right away you have yoru internet connection.
    but i dunno.. i guess i will try it your way this time when my RMA"d board comes.
    i will be fomratting and doing a fresh install later on today and will let you know if i come across any problems

  • MSI K8N Neo 2 Platinum. DOn´t boot

     
    I have a problem with my MSI K8N Neo 2 Platinum.  Yesterday I started to mount my computer and when I finished to install everything the computer does not bind.  It swims happens, the Motherboard this not obtaining to receive energy  .  Until my Power Supply it is not functioning, does not receive energy!  Somebody has some Idea of that it can be happening?  Power Supply:  Seventeam ST-420bkv Processor:  Athlon 3000+ venice.  OBS:  All the components are new.

    Well it wasnt the battery
    The one I pulled from the board was reading 2.68v, the new one is reading 3.17v, but the problem remains :((
    BUT, I discovered if I hold the case power button in while switching the PSU on fom the back that the CMOS details are fine after all?!?! Not pressing the case power button results in the no boot problem. Maybe the switching that disables the battery when the AC is on is broke ???
    Its a weird one alright but I can live with it till my next upgrade - which wont be MSI - too many bugs. I have a Gigabyte board in my second PC and its rock solid, dual BIOS and never had a single problem with it - maybe that or ASUS next time round )
    Hope this helps anyone else with a similar problem.
    Would still like to know what the flashing led error is though?? 
    many thnx for all the input guys.
    g2k.

  • Unable to install windows XP på MSI K8N NEO

    Hi!
    I have problems installing windows XP (SP1) with MSI K8N NEO Platinum Edition. After I bootet my computer (I build it myself) I noticed I had extrem cpu temperatures (65-70 degrees celcius). A quick search on the net indicated that a bios-upgrade might solve the problem, as my current bios probably showed too high temperatures.
    As I had already installed windows XP i downloaded the bios and upgraded using the msi-windows-bios program. And, after the reboot my cpu temerature was 20 degrees lower (45 degrees celcius), which is more normal. But during the bootup of windows I got a blue-screen (or, actully a blue blink, just for a nano-second), and then my computer rebooted.
    As the system were fairly new and didn't contain any importaint data, I decided to try to make a fresh install of winXP. But now I get a blue-screen during the installation, when the progress-bar says "installing devices", the blue screen appears when it is about 75%.
    The installation of XP went fine before the bios upgrade, and I used XP for several hours without any problems at all - except the high cpu temperatur. Now my cpu temeperatur is acceptable, but XP wont install/boot.
    I have tried to disable all the integraded devices (such as firewire, network, sound card etc) in the bios menu, but the XP install still provides a bluescreen during the installation of devices.
    My system:
    A64 3000+
    1024Mb RAM (corsair value, I believe)
    Samsung SATA 160Gb HD
    Matrox Millenium G400 (I know it is old)
    NEC 2510 DVD Burner
    As I said, this is propably caused by the new bios, as it did work with the old one. I have also tried "Load failsafe defaults". Do you guys have any ideas of how to fix this?  Should I (can I) downgrade my bios (I do not have a floppy drive in the computer).
    .wirrum

    Hi wirrum,
     I see you are Swedish (the på was a give away).
     I recently aquired a MSI K8N Neo2 from Komplett - where did you get yours from? maybe that have a bad batch because I am seeing the same problems as you.
     I have two different problems , the same stability problems you are seeing and problems with the keyboard (ps2) not always starting up. I'm currently at Bios V1 and after seeing your problems I might just wait with V1.1 unless everything else fails.
    Im considering an RMA to komplett soon and asking them for a motherboard that works (maybe from another manufacterer).
     I have a decent PSU (Antec Truepower 480) and DDR400  from Kingston thats on their reccommended list, no overclocking, stable settings, I built the thing with ESD protection and carefully. Not overly impressed right now.
     Some suggestions - turn off AGP Fastwrite, turn on SATA DMA access if you are using SATA. Turn off any Overclocking, move your memory around , try just one stick in DIMM 1 see if that helps.
     I finally managed to get through an XP install but it took 6 hours to install. And it will occasionally stutter then shutdown entirely.
      Quality..

  • MSI K8n Neo Platinum

    Hi Guys,
                 I am having a problem with my computer at the moment. I am having trouble getting into the BIOS of this motherboard (MSI K8N Neo Platinum). When I try to get into BIOS, it goes into a black screen with a little line on top of it and its blinking. This has never happened before. Then when I shut off my computer since I couldn't get into the bios, I turned it back on and it goes on but nothing goes to screen or it wont boot up to startup screen. Then I turn it off, I reset the BIOS and turn it back on. Now it boots up to the startup screen, but when it says press del to get into bios, I pressed that and it happens again, it will not get into bios. When I do this over again by resetting the bios, this time without getting into BIOS, it goes on and boots up to Windows XP. I want to reformat my hard drive with a fresh copy of XP Pro, but I can't get into BIOS to do that. Can someone help me?

    Same thing happened to me today. Thanks MSI for publishing a Betaversion of a BIOSupgrade on the Live update.. 
    At first I figured that there must have been some fault during the BIOSflash so I downloaded the file again and repeated procedure. This time it worked like a charm and I could do all my BIOS-settings. The next restart the problem was back again though, and this time I had swapped the order for my SATA-drives to boot (to the way they should) but the system couldn't boot. So I couldn't enter neither the bios or Windows. Luckily you can shift the primary boot device by pressing F11 though, so I got out of the libido...
    Now I've downloaded the old 1.9 Version instead and I sure as h*** won't do any more beta-testing for MSI by using the Live Update anymore!

  • MSI K8N Neo Platinum Query

    ALoha folks, having osme problems with my board ( think i may have damaged it but wanna be sure).
    I got a VAPo XE and when i went to install it i realised that the back plate was in the way. Went ok, came on here, found the sugestions on removing it (hair dryer) and removed it succesfully by pulling it up with a pair of pliers.
    Installed Vapo etc, chucked in ram, cpu and gfx card.
    When i turn it on i get a beeep and inothin happens. No image to the monitor at all. I attached the d-bracket to check the led code and it seems to stop at inializing keyboard.
    What i've tried so far is a second gfx card and moving the memory to different dimms (aint tried me other stick of memory yet.).
    What exactly is "initlializing keyboard", is it what i think it is (ie keyboard :p )
    What else can i do before i just go and buy a new mobo?
    Thanks for any help.
    Full system specs:
    Vapo Xe
    Antec 480w Trupower (+5v (38A), +12v (22A), +3.3v (30A)
    MSI K8N Neo Plat
    AMd 64 3200 512k (newcastle)
    1gig of corsair XLS3200XLPT CAS2 (only used 1 512mb stick thus far)
    Geforce 256 (also tried a 9700pro and no change)

    Right i got this fixed.
    Ended up taking it all apart and resitting everything. Changed the ram as well and tis now working fine. Dunno if its the other ram that was dodgy or not, will check that outl later. For now immjust happy to be able to POST :D

  • MSI K8N-NEO-PLATINUM nForce3 250 + Corsair vs.

    Hi, I'm thinking of buying a new computer with a MSI motherboard and now thinking if these will correct and have no direct problems, MSI K8N-NEO-PLATINUM nForce3 250GB + Corsair VS512MB400 Value Select 512Mb DDR PC3200 400MHz 184pin Unbuffered CL2.5. I'm not the guy who is intresserd in overclocking and such things.
    Will that motherboard and memory correct good with each other ?
    Sorry for my bad english. :D
    //Johan
    EDIT: I think I made this topic in the wrong forum. Mods move it to AMD64 nVidia Based board  ?

    MakubeX,
    I have the Antec True Power 480. Unfortunately it only has 22 or 23 amps (the specs and the label on the psu have different ratings  ) on the +12V rail. Most of the folks here recommend a power supply with at least 24 amps.
    The good news is that the system in my sig is working flawlessly so the extra 1 or 2 amps don't seem to make a big difference, at least in my case. I will say, however, that according to Core Center my +12V rail runs around 11.5 volts, which is low and nearly out of ATX sepc. The low voltage will result in higher amperage draw...but again, the system is stable.
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  • Msi k8n neo platinum ps2 keyboard problem

    Hi. I'm having issues with my msi k8n neo platinum motherboard. I've read about 50 posts on these forums regarding the supposed ps2 keyboard issues with recent msi boards. However none of them seems to address my current situation.
    Like many  others, when I power up my system the cpu fan spins for like 3 seconds then everything comes to a halt.
    I tried many things to get my system to boot and the only thing that works is plugging my ps2 keyboard into the ps2 mouse port and moving the ps2 mouse into a usb port with an adapter.
    It seems there's no hope for fixing the problem other than RMA'ing, but I thought I would add to the pile of complaints stacking up against the MSI boards.

    if u had read the threads a little more u might have found a solution that seems to have worked 4 many - a usb keyboard usb Keyboard if u go this route dont forget to enable usb kb in bios
    Edit: This Thread Summarises the situation PS2 keyboard/mouse causes random shutdowns or doesnt work      

  • MSI K8N NEO PLATINUM (RAM/HD problem/mobo problem?) [SOLVED]

    my setup:
    windows xp pro sp2
    amd athlon 64 3200+
    msi k8n neo plat - 7030 - bios 2.1
    x800 xt vid
    sound blaster audigy 2
    kingston valueram pc3200 2x512 cas 3-3-3-8
    ps = antec 430 watt truepower power supply (20 A on 12V)
    I dont know if you guys remember my but i created a topic on here a while back about how my keyboard and mouse suddenly stopped working, well that turned out to be that the msi k8n neo platinum just went bad. So i RMA'd it and recently got the replacement board (with latest bios already installed). It worked completely fine for about a day. Well that same day i got it back, i installed a Logitech G7 USB wireless mouse. after i installed it, i began getting numerous windows stop blue screen errrors, even after i removed the mouse from control panel. So i figured i should format because to rule out everything and start fresh. So i did a FULL format and attempted the reinstall windows again. AFTER the format and BEFORE windows attempted the continue installation, i got the same stop error. I figured now this was a hardware problem. So first i tested RAM. I got the latest version of memtest86 and let it run for 4 hours (11 passes) with NO errors at all. Secondly, i got a western digital hard drive diagnostic program to test for failing hard drive and again no problems with that. I still suspected ram so i tried to boot with only 1 stick installed (in first slot), however the PC didnt boot at all (cleared cmos too). So i moved it to the second slot and cleared cmos again and this time it posted but it just hangs at a cursor and does nothing, same thing happened with third slot. I tried this same procedure clearning cmos each time with the second ram stick and got the SAME results. Shouldnt the motherboard boot with only 1 ram stick installed? Did MSI RMA me another bad board? Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

    Quote from: russellmrgn on 28-March-06, 10:54:39
    Sap147
    Can you give us what the D-Bracket was showing ie
    R R
    G R
    As an example this means "Initializing Keyboard Controller"
    You will find this information in the manual page 2-23. (On mine) under Hardware Setup
    Also can you please do all your tests with the ps2 keyboard and mouse and for now leave your Logitech G7 USB wireless mouse to one side.
    Russell
    for two sticks of ram = RR
                                   GG
    for one stick of ram = GR
                                  GG
    as for the g7, it hasnt been plugged in at all, i took it out long ago.. as for the ram, the timing was set to 2T, no overclocking, i will try 2.7 v and let you know, but for the record, it has been running at normal voltage settings for about a year perfectly fine.

  • MSI K8N Neo Platinum Nforce3 250GB - PSU?

    My sister in law have this board, MSI K8N Neo Platinum nforce3 250gb chipset, recently the power supply sounds noisy and a high frequency sound from the Antec Truepower 380W SP. Had maked an RMA to Antec and they had agreed to replace the 380W psu with SmartPower2.0 450W. But they asked me one question, that im not sure about:
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    So does it mean this board need a psu that gives -5V on ATX 20 pin power connector and thos board can't use with Antecs SP 2.0 450W?

    Quote from: syar2003 on 22-February-06, 05:10:37
    Hi!
    The K8N Neo Platinum (MS-7030) doesn't use -5v to anything.
    So the -5v from the old atx spesification is not needed in your case.
    WoW, thanks for fast reply!
    So, it won't be any problem to use Antecs SmartPower 2.0 450W with this board then? Want to make sure about it, before accept Antecs offer for replacement and had spent over 4 days to find the problem with his computer. Really don't want to do it again. 
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    Maxtor Diamondmax 9 250GB SATA
    Maxtor Diamondmax 9 IDE 160GB
    Sapphire Radeon 9550 Atlantis 128MB DDR
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    edit:
    Dound this post that it said the board do need -5V and now Im confused? 
    http://www.archivaty.net/forums/about12964-30.html

  • Help: MSI K8N Neo Platinum

    I've had nothing but problems trying to get this system running properly at any overclocking selections. Can you please review my components and give me suggestions on how to improve my situation.
    Currently my know problems are 1. The Mother Board will only read my (2) 200/Gig Hard drives as 127/Gigs. 2. Slighest overclocking & system won't boot up.
    Components:
    Processor: A64 3200+ NewCastle
    MoBo: MSI K8N Neo Platinum
    MSI K8N Neo Platinum
    Ram: Kingston HyperX 2048 PC3200 400Mhz (2 x 1024MB)
    Kinston Ram - Tiger Direct
    Video: MSI N5900 Ultra-VTD 256
    MSI 5900 Ultra
    Hard Drives: (2) 200 Gig Seagates
    Power: 500W Aspire
    3DMark2001 SE Score: 6300
    Ok, everything I bought I got because it said it had Overclocking capabilities. So far any attempts to O.C. the system won't boot up properly.
    WHAT DO I DO?
    Thoughts on my other components???

    The first thing you need to do is tighten them memory timings you killing your a64's performance
    try 2.5,3,2,8 t1 2.7v
    Get the latest bios for the neo it is a truly fast board when set up right.
    Your 3d mark 01 should be in the 15k to 20k range
    If you are running 200gb hdds you need to run sp1 on windows xp as xp does not recognise drives over 137gb
    run your pci at 67 or 68
    drop your htt to 3x
    before you try to over clock you system get it running well at stock speeds or you will end up in a mess, there is not much point o/cin if its not.
    Msi neo need a bit of tweaking but it runs like a dream when you do.
    All your parts look ok

  • MSI K8N Neo Platinum with Vapochill Case problems - Help anyone. :)

    Hi all,
    Had a bit of a tricky problem and as Im new to this board I have no idea what could be causing this.
    First all all system specs:
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    MSI K8N Neo Platinum -
    1 gig Corsair XMS ProL Low Latency Ram (2 x 512mb)
    Nvidia Gefore 6600GT
    1 x WD Raptor 10000rpm HD
    NEC 2500a DVD writer.
    Eye-T 550w PSU.
    Vapochill SE Case with installed Vapochill Phase change cooling.
    Here are photos of it in its present state, you will notice that it isnt installed in the case at the moment.
    The reason for that is because the two wont work together and I want them to so so bad...
    So, hopefully someone here can save the day for me - here goes.
    I have tested the Motherboard and all other componants outside of the case and everything runs smoothly and there are no problems what so ever, great.
    I have also retested the Vapochill case with another motherboard and that also works without a hitch.
    The problem comes when I insall the MSI board into the system, all hooked with a really basic setup, PSU, Case cooling, CPU and Ram. Flick the on switch on the power suply and the system turns on for around 1/2 a second then turns off again. I found this strange because it soundnt come on at all until I press the power button.
    If I press the power button the same thing will happen over and over.
    I have tried a different powersupply and this does nothing at all.
    I have checked for shorts and there is no possible way it is shorting on anything.
    I have a fan plugged in where the CPU fan would go and this doesnt help.
    I have taken it back out and tested it again and it still works ok.
    Does this sound familiar to anyone? Are there any secret Bio's menu's that would have an option that would solve this?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Glenn

    When you are running the MoBo standalone, what are you connecting to the Power, Reset, HDD, etc. pins ?  Are you using the wires from the Vapochill case, or something else ?  It looks like a single cable with an intermittent switch (red/white cable).  I once had a similar sort of problem and it was because I hadn't connected up (the incredibly fiddly) cables correctly.  Other than that, I would have gone for a short of some sort - but you have checked that already, so . . . .
    As to the system starting to power-up when you switch on the PSU, I wouldn't worry too much about this.  It seems to happen from time to time with some of my systems - amongst other things, the BIOS can be set to resume to previous state after a power-fail.

  • Problems with msi k8n neo-2 and xfx 6800 card

    is this card incompatible with the msi k8n neo-2 motherboard?
    i ve got this mobo last week and when i tried to install the card to it nothing comes on screen, no beeps or nothing, ive changed the power supply, the card works fine on my old pc with both power supplies (old pc was 2500+ amd with epox 8rda+) i ve tried booting up with nothing else connected on the psu except the card itself, it still doesnt seem to work, the new motherboard works fine with my old radeon 9600 pro.
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    Thats not what I read (assuming this is the same correct model)
    420W double unit
    DC O/P Load Max
    +5V 42 Amp.
    +12V 16 Amp.
    +3.3V 28 Amp.
    -5V 0.5 Amp.
    -12V 0.8 Amp.
    +5VSB 2 Amp.
    Agreed that one is 420W, but is that it or not?

  • MOVED: MSI K8N Neo Platinum (MS-7030) won't post and just beeps

    This topic has been moved to AMD64 nVidia Based board.
    MSI K8N Neo Platinum (MS-7030) won't post and just beeps

    1)Main Menu - No Post/No Boot problems and fixes   - Bios-Central Award Bios Beep Codes + others
    2) Memtest86+ As Stated
    3) Power Suppy Requirements & Selection
    4) Post Specs re Powe supply 3.3v 5v & 12v Amps., Gfx cards Drives etc.,

  • MSI K8N Neo XP Problems

    I just got a MSI K8N Neo Platinum with a 3200 Clawhammer and a 160 GB Seagate Hard drive. Cooling is an SLK-948 with an Enermax 92mm 2800 RPM fan and a Antec 400 watt PSU. Ram, ive tried both 2700 and 3500. My system posts ok then i reformat but when it starts installing the setup files it gives me a blue error screen saying the system was halted. Ive also tried reformating on another computer. Then I just launch the XP setup from the A64 system. All goes well and everything installs until the very end i get the error screen again. I am not overclocking or anything, all bios settings are default as i just got this setup. Ive also tried my seagate harddrive on my other computer and it has none of these probelms.

    Start by eliminating possible causes 1 at a time.
    I'd start with the RAM.  Set your BIO's to default (compatability) settings.  Use 1 stick to start in slot zero.
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    It's a decent memory tester and has helped me on more than one occassion.  The last time with a 256mb stick of PC2700 Mushkin.  For some reason the FIC board it was on didn't like it.  Everytime I went to install XP it would fail in different places for strange reasons.  Since I'd used the disk successfully just recently before, I ran memtest86 and discovered the problem.
    The next thing I'd examine is the CD/DVD-ROM drive(s).  I can't count the number of times I've gone to upgrade a machine, keeping the CD drive, only to discover XP doesn't like the drive.  If you're drive is older, buy a new one.  Don't install using a DVD drive (so they say - I don't have one).
    If all else fails use the diagnostic LED's to try and track the problem.

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