Windows Install freezes GA-880GMA (rev 2.2)

[jamessey]

Corsair CMX8GX3M2A1333C9 XMS3 8GB
AMD Athlon II x2 Processor 245 2.9 GHz
Power Supply OCZ 600W STEALTHXSTREAM

I've tried installing both XP and Windows 7 Home Premium (legit copies) onto this and each time the process stops at/ just after the 'setup is starting windows' (XP) or 'Starting Windows' (7) phase of the process.The Disc Drive just stops moving after a while and nothing happens, as if it isn't there or being seen.

I've tried disabling USB and Lan ports but to no avail. The memory, CPU and drive all work (and are working with windows 7 now) and the memory has passed the memory test, I've tried using just one memory module and altering some of the bios settings to recognise sata as ide. I know it's something basic but I can't find out what the problem is. I probably need to do all of the above in some combination at the same time.

I'm assuming at least one person has tried to install Windows 7 on this board, had this problem and fixed it and can help!

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

You don't mention what hard drive it is that you are trying to install the OS onto. If it is a "Green" version that could be your problem as it will keep trying to power down. They are not recommended for boot drives.

The Disc Drive just stops moving after a while and nothing happens, as if it isn't there or being seen.

I am not quite sure what you meant by this, what disk are you referring to ?

[jamessey]

The hard drive is the one I'm using now so that shouldn't be the problem. I had run Kill Disc on the drive before using it on the GA-880. It installe fine on the current motherboard.

I was talking about the DVD drive which goes through the motions up until the 'Windows starting' screen and then stops spinning.

Thanks for your help so far.

[absic]

Hi there,

I would suggest that you set your BIOS as follows:
Under Integrated Peripherals
OnChip SATA Type - AHCI
OnChip SATA Port4/5 Type - IDE
If you are not using an older IDE Drive disable the Onboard IDE Control

Under Standard CMOS Features
Disable the Floppy Drive

Attach the HDD to SATA3_0 and your DVD drive to SATA3_4

Hopefully you should then be able to install the OS but if you still have a problem you might consider trying to install the OS using a USB Pendrive as I have fouond this to be a much easier method. You can find out how to do that here: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_install_windows_7_usb_key?page=0,0

[Dark Mantis]

The hard drive is the one I'm using now so that shouldn't be the problem. I had run Kill Disc on the drive before using it on the GA-880. It installe fine on the current motherboard.

I was talking about the DVD drive which goes through the motions up until the 'Windows starting' screen and then stops spinning.

Thanks for your help so far.

What make and model is your hard drive ?

[jamessey]

It's an Hitachi Hds721050cla362 which I've installed Windows 7 onto before a couple of times and am using now. Given everything is working fine and installed fine on the current motherboard I'm sure it's a bios/ install issue.

[jamessey]

Thanks for the advice but no, nothing happen, install still freezing at the same point on Windows 7 and XP. Everything works perfectly on the current motherboard so completely at a loss. The DVD drive spins down and then nothing, same when booting from USB. Tried to install on another Hard Drive to make sure there was no problem with this one, nothing again.

[Dark Mantis]

It might be worth trying to run from a Linux live disk which will run directly from the DVD drive and see if that performs as it should do.  It would at least narrow down your problems.

[jamessey]

Nope, the drive just stops part way through install. I reset the bios and made the change and nothing happened that time. Thank you for taking the time though.

[absic]

Hi again,

not really sure why you are having these problems so I am now going to contradict what I suggested earlier as I am wondering if you will have more joy trying to install in IDE Mode.

Reset the Onchip SATA type to IDE and see if that helps.

If it doesn't could you post back with the rest of the hardware that you are using, especially the DVD/CD drive that you are running? This information will help in further troubleshooting for you.