can't install win2k on va-503+

[redcar1 0]

Hi,

 

I have been trying(unsuccessfully) to install win2k by upgrading from my win98. I keep getting a stop error 0x0000001e KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED (some stuff here) ntoskrnl.exe

 

I have 1.6g free on the win98 partition that I am trying to install

 

Here's what I have:

K6-iii/333

FIC 1stmainboard VA-503+

bios version JE439

ATI 3d rage pro

western digital 30g

viking componets 56k modem

 

The error occurs during install after it looks at the hard drive, then I believe the next file it tries is setup.ini(goes by pretty fast on the status bar), then I get this black screen with the error message. I have tried using "last good config" but it doesn't work(which I assume is because the install doesn't go far enough)

 

I have also tried loading bios defaults but that doesn't seem to help!

[sapiens74 0]

Make sure you have latest bios installed and try to disable any unsused ports like serial and parallel

[Tomay 0]

Do you have win98 installed on the partition you are installing win2000?

[Sampson 0]

The mystery of those messages you get from error codes can mean almost anything. There are several candidates. 1) your rage card's drivers may not be compatible. 2) From your description of your hard drive, you may not have enough room to install the new system. 3) There is a possible a Via 4in1 driver update needed to make W2K acceptable on your system.

[redcar1 0]

yes, I am installing the win2k on the same partition as win98

 

yes, I have downloaded and installed 4-in-1 drivers for win98 and installed the latest bios JE439 from the fic website.

 

I have tried setting the video driver to just standard vga, but I still get the same error message.

[Tomay 0]

Micro$oft doesn't recommend installing multiple operating systems on a same partition, because they can get in conflict. It could be one of the reasons why you're having problems. You might wanna try a fresh install on an empty partition.

[redcar1 0]

well, I tried doing a clean install and here what happens....

 

It checks? the drive and comes back with a menu that displays:

 

c:unformatted or damaged

d:""

e:''"

f:""

 

I don't understand as I am running win98 off drive c and the other drives contain next to nothing!

 

so I go ahead with formating d drive, but get same error as before!

0x0000001E KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED (some stuff) ntoskrn.exe

 

So, I reboot and this time I choose to create a partition when I reach the same menu. I partition f, and it comes back with two partitions, one 8mb, one 8 gig(I think it calls it unformated or something similiar...no drive letter).

 

I then try to format this drive, but get same error!!

 

Now I'm really getting confused/frustrated!!

[Tomay 0]

Format the C: or try installing on another drive like d: or e: ...

[redcar1 0]

Ok, the only drive it sorta likes during install is drive F, but it still only gets 50% thru checking it before saying the drive is bad and quiting the install.

 

what should I use to reformat the drive? (can I do this thru my win98 ? or should i try fdisk or ????)

[Tomay 0]

Could the drive be faulty. Did you do a complete scandisk? Does it have any bad sectors?

[redcar1 0]

did a complete disk scan, it found and repaired some errors.

 

went back and ran win2k setup....same problem, says the drive is corrupt!!

 

how can it be corrupt when I can store data from win98 on it no problems!!

[jmmijo 1]

So I'm assuming you're using FAT32 instead of NTFS as the filesytem ?!?

 

If so I'd reformat the drive into an NTFS format instead and see if any problems occur when reformatting the drive

 

You may want to try a third party app like Partition Magic which will allow you to do either a quick or a long format on the drive.

 

Another option is to d/l the Data Lifeguard Tools from Western Digital to check out the drive as well.

[redcar1 0]

>If so I'd reformat the drive into an NTFS format instead and see if any >problems occur when reformatting the drive

 

actually that is exactly what happens....I choose to reformat the drive to NTFS from the setup menu and it errors out saying drive C is corrupt (which it interesting as I am choosing to format drive F, not Drive C!! Drive C contains my win98!)

 

if I choose the option from the setup to not convert the partition(it's a FAT32) it then scans drive F but gets around 50% done and then says that drive F is corrupt

 

so it doesn't seem to matter which option I choose as it always says one of the drive(s) are corrupt

[videobruce 0]

Don't you just hate this stuff????

 

The 4 drive letters you mentioned, are these 4 drives, 4 partitions, 2 drives with 2 partitions each or what??

 

Can you save your data on CD, wipe the drive(s) completely by using the manufactures utility and repartition if you want and start from scratch either with FAT32 or NTFS (Depending on the size of the drive(s)?

[redcar1 0]

one drive, 4 partitions. (win98 on C: other partitions are data and/or blank)

 

I guess I will back-up all my data from win98 and then reformat the entire drive.

 

yeah, I am really begining to hate win2k and I haven't even installed it yet :-(

 

I wanted to leave c: alone as it allows me to use win98 to get online to this forum but it looks like it all has to go.

[jmmijo 1]

I guess I was assuming that you were reformatting a single drive, the entire drive not a partition on that drive.

 

You still will want to check out that drive with Western Digitals diagnostics just in case there's something wrong with a few sectors and/or clusters on that drive. Chances are the drive is still under warranty if there is

[videobruce 0]

Drives aren't that expensive. You can get a decent drive for less than $60 now. I would get a 2nd drive before you format this one (after checking it with WD Diag utility).

 

I would also only partition the drive in 2 parts not 4, maybe 3 if you REALLY need 3.

 

KISS..............Keep it simple ......

[redcar1 0]

well, I ran the western digital utility on my drive....No errors according to the results.

 

So I figured I'd go ahead and reformat anyway since I am not getting anywhere with the install

 

reformat drive into 2 partitions (c & d)

 

try to install on c using win2k cd as boot cd...

 

doesn't like drive c (unable to create winnt directory error)

 

ok, fine, I'll try on drive d. doesn't even get past "scaning" the drive, hangs at about 50% (at least drive c got past this scaning point, why I don't know as they are both completely empty so I don't know what the computer's problem is!)

 

any suggestions......beside putting the computer in the dumpster?

[jmmijo 1]

I can only recommend either another HD or a different install media CD.

[videobruce 0]

Sure sound like something other than the drive!

[redcar1 0]

well since the WD hd was getting me nowhere (even though it said it was fine), I found an old maxtor 1.3gig drive lying around and thought I'd give it a try for kicks.

 

installed on the maxtor drive no problems!!

 

went out and got another drive....

 

installed no problem! (well except that my bios was didn't support >32gig drives, but an update on the bios fixed that problem)

 

thanks alot for all the help/suggestions.