Can't install Vista Home Premium SP1

[losimagic]

System:
Asus p5q-e (edit: running latest bios)
Intel E8500
Corsair TwinX 4GB Twin2x4096-6400C5
Gigabyte 1GB HD4850
Samsung 500GB Spinpoint F1
Vista Home Premium SP1 (combined OEM disc)

I've been fighting with this for about a week now after building the system, and at first I thought it was an issue with my ram.

After running memtest I found that one stick (I have 2 x 2gb sticks) gave many memtest errors.
I returned that and got another set but one stick wouldn't even allow my system to reach POST.

Still, I had 1 2gb stick to install Vista with.

I boot off the DVD and chose to install Vista onto the Samsung F1, it goes through the various installation motions and reboots for the first time - all I get is a black screen after the green vista progress bar, nothing else.

I've read that there can be issues with installing Vista on systems with more than 2gb of ram, but I should be ok there. Other threads have suggested installing XP on another partition and copying files over to the vista partition or something - I don't have XP to install.

Please tell me there's a fix for this, I'm getting desperate now


Many thanks for any help!

[MSIC]

I'd start by ruling things out, which you have already partly addressed.
My first question therefore would be: Is your hardware all working now?
The best, easiest way to test this out is to run an operating system on it. Obviously you are trying to do this with Vista, but there are alternatives such as XP, or even easier would be something like Ubuntu, which you dont even need to write onto your hard drive but can just run from a LiveCD.

This will give you the opportunity to have a fully working system that you can mess around with and test out. Once you've confirmed that all your physical bits and pieces are working, you can move on from there.

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

[losimagic]

I'd start by ruling things out, which you have already partly addressed.
My first question therefore would be: Is your hardware all working now?
The best, easiest way to test this out is to run an operating system on it. Obviously you are trying to do this with Vista, but there are alternatives such as XP, or even easier would be something like Ubuntu, which you dont even need to write onto your hard drive but can just run from a LiveCD.

This will give you the opportunity to have a fully working system that you can mess around with and test out. Once you've confirmed that all your physical bits and pieces are working, you can move on from there.

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

VERY VERY INTERESTING!

Burned ubuntu to disc, booted from it, chose english then picked 'install ubuntu' as I thought I may as well.

'loading linux kernel' 100%

SYSTEM REBOOTED

What the hell?

edit: just tried the 'try ubuntu without changes to your computer' option, SAME THING, reboots


the ubuntu 'test memory' option is the only one that works - not even 'check cd for defects' works

[Splash]

Hmmm... can you rule out the optical drive? That said, after the troubles you've had I'm starting to question your motherboard.

[losimagic]

Unfortunately not, I only have this new SATA one

[Splash]

Hmm - where are you located? If it's somewhere near me I have an IDE optical drive I can lend you. I'd offer to mail it, but the cost of mailing it to you and back again is likely to be morethan you just picking up another drive

[losimagic]

Thanks for the offer - sadly I'm all the way down south near Reading :/

I guess I'll just have to bitch at Scan on Monday and see what they suggest