Serious help needed installing windows xp pro on brand new system

barginboyrob

Hi, i bought an computer off palicomp.co.uk ( ebay superseller). I ordered it without windows xp installed on it.

I have an Xp pro disk, and i was in the middle of installing on the computer( after getting drives off the motherboard and using a floppy for the SATA hard drive). Every now and again the computer just turned off, so i thought i was doing something wrong. Any way i tried again and got a bit further.

It asked me whether i wanted to partition the drive and i said yes (it is a 160gb drive) and i made a 30gb drive for windows etc. it started to do that and the computer once again just turned off in the middle of it

I'm sure windows xp pro didn't finish installing, and now when i turn on the computer, the black screen comes up with error loading operating system!

What do i do now!!!

Thanks for all your help

wolfman

Start the process all over. Ie, boot from the Windows disc again, and start from the beginning.

Not sure about the random switching off though. That doesn't sound good at all. Could be the psu not being able to cope, or maybe something is overheating. I'd be quite concerned about that though if you've just bought it.

barginboyrob

thanks, i;m trying it again, now it's partioning the drive i wanted. Once i install it, i'll ring up palicomp and complain if it keeps turning off.

barginboyrob

i spoke to soon it turned off again,

luckily (i guess) i have a clear perspex panel on the side, and i was looking at it and i realise that the fan which serves the motherboard(i think) does not spin

I think this is the problem, i can't get through to palicomp at the moment, so does anyone know how to fix the fan in a computer?

Mr_Skint_2

I could be a loose connection, so no power.

You could open the case and have a look but that might invalidate any warranty so ask them first when you get through.

bbb_uk

With the case off, check to see if both CPU fan and chipset fan (assuming it has one) appear to be running properly.

It turning off like that could be a sign that a fan failed and the BIOS settings (if set) will turn off the computer immediately to save overheating.

You could (if possible) monitor the fan settings within the BIOS and just keep an eye on it.

Try to establish an approximate length of time before the thing goes off. If its 10mins then it may be best to watch it for this amount of time.

If there is a serious BSoD (blue screen of death) error then by default WinXP restarts itself but you haven't got that far plus you said it just turns off which could point to faulty/intermittent fan, or possibly a PSU problem, or even a possible motherboard problem (but not as likely as the others).

lestamunda

Switch Off The Plug Before Opening It!!!!!!!

Mr_Skint_2

jaghir wrote:

Switch Off The Plug Before Opening It!!!!!!!

Yeah do what he said

Their offline now so either the PCs off or the electrics got shorted out :eek:

barginboyrob

Yeh, it definitely is the fan, because now i've taken the side panel off and put my desktop fan there it seems to be working now.

The conections seem to be in place but just the fan isn't working! do you think i should try pulling the fan wires out of the motherboard and then pushing it back?

Mr_Skint_2

Yeah but be gentle, or it could be a naff fan.

bbb_uk

I would give them a ring and explain it keeps going off and you suspect its the fan and if you are upto replacing the fan then mention that to them otherwise it will need to go back.

I'd first tread carefully as they may say that you have invalidated the warranty on it by opening the case but they are probably not that bothered.

You are entitled to a new PC, refund, or repair (in this case a replacement of the fan) and you don't have to pay anything to have it collected by them (assuming it was delivered and not collected), repaired and then delivered back again because the goods are considered faulty on arrival. Do not fall for the you have to pay to have it repaired as this isn't true for any product considered faulty on arrival. Although for a fan it may be easier and cheaper them coming out and doing it themselves.