[roygbv]

I recently upgraded my PC:

- DFI NF4 SLI-DR Expert LanPartyUT Mobo
- AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+
- 2x 74gb WD Raptors (for raid 0)
- 2x EVGA nVidia 7900GT PCI-E video cards (for SLI)
- 1GB OCZ Platinum Series PC3200 RAM

Everything is connected and I've troubleshooted to a certain point, however I cannot for the life of me get the Windows install started. After "Boot from CD:" prompt comes up there is a single blinking underscore (which is normal) and the CD spins. However, it stays at the blinking underscore and does not progress.

It might be good to mention that my DVD-R drive is native sata; which did not pose a problem to me on my old setup, I could reinstall Windows no problem.

I have tried the following troubleshooting steps:
- Both video cards in, SLI bridge.
- One video card in
- Other video card in place of the first
- Switching around SATA cables
- Configure RAID0 on NF4 SLI Chipset and on Sil1334 chipset

What I will try next:
- Move RAM from DIMM1,3 to DIMM2,4
- Reconfigure RAID0 and try different SATA options in BIOS
- IDE CD-ROM drive

Any suggestions or insight would be great.
Also, anyone prefer or see a difference between NF4 RAID chipset vs. the Sil1334 RAID chipset?

[MaesterB]

I would probably say go for the IDE CDRom myself. That would probably work better.

Also, what about the disc you're using for installation of windows? Original or a copy of a disc?

Just curious.

[SoulAssassin]

[quote="MaesterB"]I would probably say go for the IDE CDRom myself. That would probably work better.

[/quote

Most likely the IDE cd rom is the problem.

[roygbv]

Thanks for the responses. I think thats my main problem as well. I'll let you know if it doesn't work.

What are your all feelings on NF4 RAID chipset vs. Sil1334 RAID chipset? I've heard mixed reviews, but people seem to be favoring the Sil1134 chipset over the NF4, especially on the DFI Lanparty boards.

Originally Posted by MaesterB

Also, what about the disc you're using for installation of windows? Original or a copy of a disc?

Just curious.

Copy of one of my originals.

[log1c]

is there an option in your BIOS to make sure the SATA DVD-R is being recognized? Also, that it will pick up from your DVD-R as the CD Boot drive?

[roygbv]

Originally Posted by log1c

is there an option in your BIOS to make sure the SATA DVD-R is being recognized? Also, that it will pick up from your DVD-R as the CD Boot drive?

My BIOS sees the drive, but it just stalls when trying to load the Blue Screen GUI Windows install.

[log1c]

I don't have any experience with that set up. But, I've seen similar problems in our lab and they had to do with the CDROM or the CD. Is there a BIOS flash or something for the motherboard to resolve any issues like that?

[roygbv]

Originally Posted by log1c

I don't have any experience with that set up. But, I've seen similar problems in our lab and they had to do with the CDROM or the CD. Is there a BIOS flash or something for the motherboard to resolve any issues like that?

I'm going to swap out the CDROM and hope that works. I haven't checked for a BIOS update, but if there is one, I will do it.

[funkgab]

i think it is ide for cd drives, make sure you check for an bios update and firmware for your sata drive, good luck

[hans5849]

try making a unatteneded install disc with the SATA and the video card drivers on it. http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/

[roygbv]

Well lets see here...

I ran Memtest86 (its built into my motherboard which is sweet) to make sure it wasn't my RAM, and everything checked out just fine. I let it pass through 5 times, I figure it would be enough.

I also updated my BIOS to the latest revision and now my BIOS isn't detecting my SATA DVDR at all... My IDE DVDR comes in the mail tomorrow, so I'll just install that and hope all my woes go away.

EDIT: Question about RAM. I have 1GB (512x2) of DDR400, PC3200 RAM... Lets see if I understand this correctly... according to my mobo manual, two sticks of DDR400 RAM can be set for Dual Channel. If I install two more sticks of DDR400 in the other two slots; will it bump down to DDR333 or will it be DDR400 in all four slots?

[funkgab]

ddr400 in all slots

[Lord Kain]

I had similar problems on my lattest setup. The PSU was flaky and cause installs to get corrupted

What's your PSU? You need a lot of juice for a dual core, dual raptors and dual vidcards! Any chance you could test with another one?

[roygbv]

Originally Posted by Lord Kain

I had similar problems on my lattest setup. The PSU was flaky and cause installs to get corrupted

What's your PSU? You need a lot of juice for a dual core, dual raptors and dual vidcards! Any chance you could test with another one?

I have an Antec TruePower 2.0 550W PSU. The box says its SLI ready. I don't have a similar high wattage PSU to test with - so I'll have to buy another one.

However, I just recieved my IDE DVDR, so I'm going to pop that in now and see what happens.

[Lord Kain]

go for it.. and with 550W, it's more than enough

But the problem was with the Antec NEO 500 psy and the nforce 4 chipset. I was getting variance in the power outputs (in the BIOS)

I tried with an enermax of the same genre and it was okay

Good luck with the DVDr!!!!!

[roygbv]

Woohoo!! I got the Blue Windows GUI install to pop up - it was the SATA DVDR. Thanks for all your advice guys, much appreciated. I sort of figured it was the CD unit, but a second opinion never hurts

[SoulAssassin]

[quote="SoulAssassin"]

Originally Posted by MaesterB

I would probably say go for the IDE CDRom myself. That would probably work better.

[/quote}

Most likely the IDE cd rom is the problem.

Damn I'm good :P

[roygbv]

Now I have a problem with my SLI... with the latest stable drivers (84.21) It says I need to uninstall any video card that doesn't support an SLI configuration. However I have the eVGA signature series 7900GT's. I was reading on a few other forums that there are issues with Native DVI monitors. I have one of those and it also doesn't help that I have a 24" Widescreen monitor (Dell 2405FP) either. I downloaded the latest Beta drivers and it seems I can enable SLI; however it doesn't want to stay enabled. There are two options "1. Do Not Use SLI technology" and "2. Enable SLI technology (recommended)". When I select the option button for #2, I hit apply and it says the new settings have been activated. However when I close the Nvidia Control Panel and go back into it, option #1 is selected. Any ideas?

[hans5849]

guru3d has beta drivers that might help