I tried the changing of the boot order, it didn't make a difference. Just disabling the Ethernet device got rid of the RPL thing, I still have no idea about that. But now when it boots it just says "Missing Operating System" and I don't think it actually sees my CD/DVD drive at all.. I can't be sure. I'll try the auto detect and see how that goes.. its probably such a stupid problem too. its always the little things..

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Oh btw when I tried the winME bootdisk for kicks, it said something to the effect of there not being a valid cdrom drive detected and to check settings (if I recall correctly). I had the HD set to Master and the CD/DVD to Slave.. unless I have that wrong because if I remember right, Master is what will boot from first? and then slave follows? I dont know.. its late. Ill try that auto detect thing, see how it goes.. and Ill check my slave/master settings again... in the meantime I welcome any comments or advice. Thanks again.

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Back again. Well I got it to see my CD/DVD drive. I installed it on the same IDE cable as the HDD (I didn't want to, bc I heard it makes your HD performance suffer a bit) But, using the auto detect, it came up right away. So thats the good news. Bad news is, it still will not boot the WinXP CD. It still boots from the Floppy and tells me "Missing operating system" and.. thats it. I know its probably a really stupid problem, too. I have the HD set to Primary Master, and the CD/DVD set to Primary Slave. I'm not sure what else I can do to get the CD/DVD to actually BOOT the WinXP disk so I can set it up. I deleted any partitions I made with FDISK, and I didn't format my C: yet or anything, (I believe all of that can be done when you start to install XP?) But I just can't figure out why (especially now that the BIOS sees my drive) it isn't booting. argh.

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Wow, what happened here, I just went and looked at another post, yeilded to the kids demand that they be fed, and you've posted all this! I meant change auto to CDROM in BIOS. I didn't mean physically move it. The best layout with one HDD and one CD device is HDD on primary master and CDROM on secondary master. This allows for the fastest possible transfer. So long as the drives are recognised by BIOS, this is more important. You still have the problem that you can't boot off the install CD. This means that either the CDROM or the CD is faulty. The only way to determine which is to try another.

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"The order should probabably be, floppy, CDROM, Hard drive 0" Asus A7N8X-X 1800+ @8x210mhz 512mb PC3200 Ti4200/8X 128mb WDC 60GB

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Thanks for your replies. Well, I found that for some reason when I plug anything into the 2nd IDE port(I guess you'd call it) on the motherboard, it won't read a damn thing off of it, it will say NOT INSTALLED no matter if I put a Master or Slave setting on any device. I have no idea why.. I tried that whole changing location thing just for kicks, because I wanted to see if maybe it was the port.. and I was right. I have no idea why it isn't seeing anything I hook up to it. But, the CD/DVD drive is seen when I put it on the same line as the HDD, as slave. Which is fine. I thought about maybe the CD/DVD drive having an issue, so I hooked up another one to the same place, and my BIOS sees it, and locates it.. but it still will not boot from it. Its as if it only boots from the floppy, although there is power going to the CD drive, it will light up and even spin discs. I can look for another boot CD, I have Win95 around.. I just want to see if its going to read it.. Other than that I have no clue!

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Have you tried different IDE ribbon cables? Configuration depends on the number of IDE devices & how you plan on using them. I'm unclear on how many devices you have? General recommendations: 2 devices: primary master = HDD w/OS primary slave = none 2ndary master = optical drive (burner or reader) 2ndary slave = none 3 devices: primary master = HDD w/OS primary slave = optical driver (reader) 2ndary master = optical drive (burner) 2ndary slave = none OR: primary master = HDD w/OS primary slave = none 2ndary master = optical drive (burner or reader) 2ndary slave = 2nd HDD 4 devices: primary master = HDD w/OS primary slave = optical driver (reader) 2ndary master = optical drive (burner) 2ndary slave = 2nd HDD Always use master or slave jumper settings, NOT cable select. Use 80-wire IDE cables for both channels. Master does NOT have to be on the end plug. Asus A7N8X-X 1800+ @8x210mhz 512mb PC3200 Ti4200/8X 128mb WDC 60GB

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Thanks for the info Jam. Right now I have 2 devices, a CD/DVD drive and HDD. I eventually want to hook up another CD drive and Harddrive, I will try another cable.. but I want to do this after I get WinXP setup. But right now I am having more setup issues. Well, I got the CD/DVD drive to boot-- I had to select IDE-1 instead of CD/DVD in the BIOS for it to boot. Now, it boots and I can get into the WinXP setup, all goes well I even was able to format part of my HDD. Setup is where I am having a lot of problems. The CD will load files onto the HDD but when it gets to about 44%-50% I get this error: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Stop: 0x0000000A, 0xE895DA0, 0x000000002, 0x00000000, 0x80811DAA saying its stopped because of an error and it doesn't want to damage my PC.. it tells me to disable caching and shadowing in the BIOS. Which I did.. I try again, I start setup again, now Windows is half installed on my HDD.. At about 44% it tells me BAD_POOL_CALLER and it cannot copy wowfaxui.dll i try AGAIN and it will halt and say Setup cannot copy (whatever file) DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL So now I have no idea whats going on. I dont know why the darn thing just.. can't copy and load files.. and ideas? Pretty much it will get so far and keep giving me an arror like this..

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I looked around and found a few things http://www.ntcompatible.com/thread27803-1.html and http://www.tweaksforgeeks.com/IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL.html but they don't really talk about setup issues.. its similar but its not really helping. I even tried the advice (I know, I believe Jam said it doesnt matter but..) I changed the HD and CD spots on the IDE cable.. didnt do a damn thing. This is really annoying I get to about 53% and then it tells me "Windows XP cannot copy {insert file name}" and to Press ESC to skip it.. or retry. I tried skipping it, it just does the same thing to the next file it tries to install. *bangs head* this is so frustrating because Im so close to actually getting the OS up and.. it does this stupid little error.. and I can't get it to install.

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Hi again. I dont know if it means anything but, I cannot set the BIOS to HARD DRIVE to boot up. The only things that mention Hard Drive are USB HDD and another one ADM... or A.. something HDD.. nothing about a regular HDD. I have it set up like this to boot: Floppy IDE-0 (HDD) IDE-1 (CD) Its the only way I can get it to boot the CD drive. I also noticed that when I try to install XP I get a prompr saying "Press any key to boot from CD..." and if I wait a message will appear "..Error Loading Operating System". I tried another XP disk, SP1a.. this ACTUALLY loaded to 100%!!!! BUT-- I restart and it doesn't boot the system, it just loads "Error Loading Operating System." I got fed up, I went to my SP2 CD, deleted any partitions and Windows information that had been copied. I tried it again, this time with the SP2 cd (again) and the IRQL error resumed. I read that it might be memory.. Im thinking it could be HDD too? I also read that an ATI card may be a problem.. I am using the RAEDON 9200 by ATI. Maybe if I switch the card out.. I just would hate to have to buy new memory and a new HD and have that NOT be the problem.. Im so annoyed with my computer right now.

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Thats alot of problems for a fresh install. Have a look at the XP CD, does it require cleaning? I'd also recommend you test the RAM. Download memtest86, install it to a floppy disk and boot off that disk. Let it runfor a few hours. You can get memtest86 at the following address, www.memtest86.com/

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I actually tried the memtest86 just now, I had read about that on another post.. it is def a memory issue. It tested, and I have about 600,000 and counting errors reported... its all scrolling very fast with a red background and the Error list keeps going up.. I imagine this is the problem? either the memory is bad or incorrect? do you think it could be a BIOS issue too? I imagine Im going to have to go out and purchase more RAM and see if it works. Pretty crappy though because I orded this PC in a barebones kit.. and you would think the RAM would not be defective.. anyway I hope this *IS* the problem, because I really dont want to spend any more $$ to find out that it ISNT the problem... knowing my luck... any more advice? Thanks again so very much.

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The most likely cause of this is RAM. But as memtest tells you when it starts, it could also be processor or motherboard. The quickest and easiest way of determining whether or not it is RAM is to try another stick. Is the RAM on your old computer compatible? Once you have determined which component is failing, you should return it for warranty replacement.

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Thanks. The old computer uses different ram, this new one uses DDR I believe the old one is SDRAM. My boyfriend also built his PC from a barebones kit about 6months ago (he had no issues like this at all! which is why I thought this would be easy!!) but since his mobo is new, he might have DDR ram. I might just borrow his RAM (that sounds so dirty lol) and see if it works in my PC.. if not then I guess it isn't a RAM problem.. if it isn't the RAM is there any other way to tell if its a mobo or CPU issue? Well I imagine I can test the CPU in another system to see if it runs.. well at least its.. sort of narrowed down..

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That's about it in a nutshell. It is much easier to narrow down the failing components during an upgrade. When everything is new, it all should be working. Sometimes, such as in your case, it isn't. Be sure to post back when you have narrowed it down.

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I will definitely post back, thanks again for all your help. I actually hope it is the RAM because that seems easiest to fix, Id really hate to have to go and get a new mobo or cpu.. those are pricey but then again so is RAM. Ill be sure to let you know what happens. Its amazing, this has consumed 2 full days from me. I started building this PC almost a week ago, and havent gotten it to work yet. It just annoys me so much because it *should* be working.

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I was curious about the ATI Radeon 9200 video card (which is what I had installed) - because I read that the card might be a problem too. I swaped the card with XFX GeForece fx 5200, and when I tried to install windows, I was able to get to the partition part, and quickly recieved this error PFN_LIST_CORRUPT Not a clue what it means.. any ideas? Again, Im going to go with bad ram but maybe this error says something else? who knows. I cant wait to test out the ram on this thing. Of course knowing my luck the new ram won't fix it..

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http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/2274/?o=0 A long discussion on this topic.. I read alot of it.. it still doesn't fully explain everything but.. once I test the new ram.. maybe it will give some insight..

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That is a long thread, it's been going for three years now! I didn't bother reading all of it either. One post really sums thing up though! "Re: IRQ NOT LESS OR EQUAL, bad ram? Here's a thought:- Quality control is an expensive execise.You test maybe 1/10, 1/20, 1/50, or maybe if your really cheapo, one in a hundred of what you sell,dependant on the cost of the item/sale profit. It's often cheaper to sell the kit (stick of ram) untested and let the returns department deal with any warranty replacement than it is to test every stick. WE'RE DOING QUALITY CONTROL FOR CHEAPO RAM SUPPLIERS!. The problem is we don't always know we've got a duff stick,especially if it's not the only new bit of kit fiited at the time. Anyone agree with me? Dave"

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Posting back. Alls not well. We tried putting new RAM in (well it was from my bf's computer, so we knew it worked) I booted from the CD drive, got to the Windows setup, during detection after loading some stuff it said "Windows Setup" or something at the bottom of the screen.. as if it was setting up Windows... it stayed like that for a really long time.. and I realized I didnt have my keyboard plugged in.. I thought it was stuck so I restarted..' ' Bad idea.. bc now.. NOTHING works. The power supply goes on, the CPU fan spins, the CD drive lights up.. no booting.. of anything.. I dont even get video on the screen. We double checked all cables, I even took out the keyboard.. everything. I still get nothing but the Power supply, CPU fan and CD drive light. I cant even tell if the HD is working. I am so fed up with this, I am calling the manufact. and sending back the mobo, and cpu for now.. I have no idea what is wrong now... but there is obviously something because this has been a total nightmare from day 1. something HAS to be defective..

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We even swaped video cards, tried resetting the CMOS, everything we could think of.. and no go. I don't get what the problem is now. We even put my "bad" ram back in, nothing. Floppy doesn't boot, I get no video, there is NOTHING on my monitor (we checked that connection), I can't tell if HD is working, but again I know the CD has power it lights up.. any ideas?? because I am tapped out. I seriously think something is defective. Again, thank you all for your advice.

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Hi.. I'm back. I looked at Soyos trouble shooting online it suggests: I get No beep, no post and nothing on the screen when turning the computer ON. ---------------------- No beep, and no post means the CPU, and the board are not transferring any signal codes. in this case follow these steps: 1.Please be sure CPU is seated properly. 2.Please be sure JP5 is set on Pins 1-2. System will not work if JP5 is set on 2-3. 3. Check jumper setting for CPU (if applicable) , try lower CPU frequency if possible(e.g. set a 500MHz CPU to 450MHz to see the results). 4.Try remove all unrelated hardware from the computer such as sound card, modem, NIC, SCSI, and Ram modules, etc...., ONLY leave CPU, CPU FAN (Be sure CPU fan is connected to CPU Fan #1 if applicable), Chassis speaker, and the ATX power plug and the power on/off switch(PWRBT), make sure you do not have any memory installed. For Pentium 4 and cetain motherboards like K7VME users in addition to the mentioned diagnostics make sure that your power supply is a P4 Certified, which contains both the main(20 Pin), and the 12V(4 Pin) connectors. also please make sure that both connectors are properly connected and are generating the necessary power to the board. 5. Turn system on. Check for beeps or any voices(on some boards only). If it beeps then the CPU and the motherboard is communicating, Click Here to look up the beeps code in the Assistance Guides to determine the problem. If no beep or voice then CPU may be defective provided that the speaker is good. Try next step. 6.Try clear the CMOS via JP5 (make sure power is removed from the board) , move jumper cap from pins 1-2 to pins 2-3 and let it sit there for about 10 seconds, after that move the cap back to it's original place(pins 1-2). then try turning the system ON again and check for beep. 7.Pull the board out from the case and isolate it from the case. and try steps1~6 again. If still no beeps then check make sure the power is coming on and CPU fan is turning. If fans are not turning it means power switch or the power supply could be faulty. Try replace power supply first. 8.Check make sure Cpu fan is installed correctly. The following shows the Heatsink is installed backward and causing the CPU to overheat and failed. 9. if the above mentioned steps fail, please try a different processor. it is very much possible that your processor, is defective, or damaged during installation. ------ So this could be a CPU problem and not a mobo issue? Because nothing beeps either, but I don't understand how all this could have been caused by a restart.. I'm so confused. I am still thinking of contacting both manufact. of the CPU and Motherboard about this. I tried all the steps that Soyo suggests and I still get the same old crap.

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It could indeed be a processor fault. It could also be a fault in the mother board. Naturally Soyo doesn't tell you that. In fact the latest developements suggest that it is the motherboard. If it is convenient to return the gear to the supplier (a good case for buying locally), take it in and get them to prove that all the gear is OK. If it does turn out to be the motherboard, try to get another brand. Your particular motherboard seems to raise a lot of questions in this forum when upgrading video card.

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Thanks for the reply. Unfortunatley I bought from an online retailer (TigerDirect.com) So I'm going to have to go through Soyo directly and see what they can do. And Im also wondering about the CPU as well. My plans for tomorrow are to call tech support and send back my stuff. I don't think I can get a refund.. but if I get an exchange I want it to work. I wish I would have waited and bought the stuff in person.. I just had no idea there would be so many problems associated with this. Being that I'll be dealing with a company via phone, I'll have no idea if I manage to get an exchange.. if itll be new.. or reused or any of that. If anything if its the mobo Ill suffer the 49$ i spent on it and get a new one from another brand or something, but first I want to see if it really is the mobo thats the problem. Its so ambiguous! I'll let you know how it goes, and if anything else develops.. thanks so much for all your help.

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Also, incase the mobo is bad any tips on what would be a good mobo to purchase that isn't insanely expensive, that would work with an Athlon XP 2900 CPU.. assuming that the CPU itself isnt damaged? I'm going to do one last check tomorrow, I plan to swap CPUs and see if that works.. if I can get it to run on another CPU I assume its the CPU.. if it doesn't run then it HAS to be the mobo.. I wish there was an easier way to diag. a problem.

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Good idea to try another processor. RAM faults can really be processor cache faults. Be extra careful when you fit the heatsink. Those retaining spring clips require a lot of force and any movement in the heatsink can damage the CPU. You seem to be doing quite well on your own at the moment, I'll resist the temptation to start replying 'Yes Darcy, that sounds right'!

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Well, we had issues trying a second CPU... my boyfriend couldnt get the fan off of his.. and we didnt want to risk killing his mobo.. we tried but it refused to come off!! but I called Soyo anyway and they issued me a defect #, and with that I called TigerDirect and they are issuing me a replacement board. Either way, Ill have a new board and if its the processor.. I'll know this time around. Thanks again for all your help! Ill let u know how that goes, and if i have any other problems.

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Thanks for keeping me posted, I can't say that I have really been all that much help. More like a well informed sounding board. As it's less that 6 and a half hours to the new year in my part of the world. Allow me to wish you a happy and trouble free new year!

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Rimfire-- you have been a great help to me! I appreciate everything. Happy new year to you too! I can't believe its 2005, I hope you have a safe and happy new year, and I'm sure I will see you around on the board again. If this post is still here when I get my new board, I'll be sure to post back.. again, this time around I can only *hope* that if the same problem occurs, that it isn't the board.. its the CPU. But only time will tell. I hope it all works out. Anyway good luck to you too in all your computing endevors (sp?)! Happy New Year!!!

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I'm back the new mobo *FINALLY* arrived today, I have yet to test it but I can only hope that its smooth sailing.

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i doubtanyone reads this anymore.. ill make a new post. but more probs, got the new mobo but im having the same problem, it starts, i checked everything i still don't get any beeps or video.... im going to try and see if i can get a spare cpu to test...

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