Cannot Load WIN XP (ASUS A7V8X-X,XP2600,PC2700)

[FBH]

I just purchased an ASUS A7V8X-Xand cannot get XP to load.
SYS Specs A7V8X-X, 256mb PC 2700 133/166 (running at 166), Gforce 5200(AGP), Maxtor 80gig,7200rpm.
I have loaded W98SE and everything seems to work with the exception of the onboard Lan(prob my setup is wrong).
Win XP has given me several different stop errors.

I have changed video cards(AGP) and harddrives and I have loaded XP on a hard drive in a different machine and tried to install it in the new machine and it will not boot the machine just keeps restarting.

I have a hard drive configured dual boot and 98SE works fine and the XP does the same thing just reboots and neverboots up.

[jmebonner]

RAM, RAM, RAM... Download and run www.memtest86.com I'd bet money you get multiple errors. The Nforce2 boards are VERY picky about the ram they use. What kind is yours? You;ll most likely need to go with some Muskin or Corsair. I think the HyperX Kingston works well also, I'll be back with a couple links.

[FBH]

Problem right now is I cant get on the net with this machine at all no matter what software I am using.

[jmebonner]

You can d/l memtest 86 with another machine (presumably the one you're on now) and run it in your computer. You can use it to make a bootable floppy or an iso image to make a bootable CD.

[FBH]

I thought it was most likely a ram problem but wasnt sure. Can I download on another machine. Then test it on the new machine using WIN98SE. I cant get XP to load at all on the new machine.

[FBH]

Thanks I will try that and post results.

[jmebonner]

Yep, I think that'd work. The reason 98 still loads fine is because it never checks your hardware and things like XP does. It seems a pain that XP does this, but it's really one of the reasons for it's great stability as an OS.
It rules out all hardware problems from the beginning. The only time I get the BSOD in XP is during Hard Overclocking.

Here're my links in case you want to read through them.
http://www.techimo.com/forum/showth...&highlight=k7n2

NVidia says the ram listed on this page should work http://www.nvidia.com/content/nForc...mpatibility.asp

[FBH]

Thanks I will check out your links and post the results of my escapade.

[FBH]

I d/l memtest 86 and you were right mem started failing right away. I also tested my othe pc's running pc 133 and they all passed thanks for the help I am off to buy some new ram.
thanks fbh

[jmebonner]

Personally, I'd go with the Mushkin, I have the same board and it's what I use. It's kind of pricey, but worth it, IMO.

Also, if you plan to overclock at all, spend the extra $$$ and get the pc3200, I wish I had

Have a good day!