Please advise with Vista install problem

[Koolpc]

Right, my mate has a new Mobo, AM2 with onboard VGA, 3200 AM2 CPU 2gig DDR2, 320G Sata HD, new dvdrw drive (IDE)

Now, he can install XP on it no problem at all.

When we go to install Vista (Legal too), it starts, then continuosly hangs for long periods of time. Sometimes freezing the PC!!

We have tried:

My Vista DVD
New DVDRW
Different HD
Different RAM
Different CPU
Different PSU
Different Cables (IDE, SATA)

Still no joy!!!! As i said above, XP is no problem. Installs effortlessly.

Could it be a faulty Motherboard as that is one thing we have not tried? Mobo is:

AMD M3N78-VM

Not sure what to try next!!

Vista starts but takes ages and ages to get to where you insert the Licence Number then about 15 mins to move from that and then where it goes to loading files it either crashes (PC freezes) or it just stays on 10% or so indefinitely!!!

Help? Ta

[Splash]

I'd be looking at checking the hard disk and the memory as a starting point, but given that you have already swapped them out (I'm assuming that they have been tested as known good parts before swapping?) I'd guess that you're looking at an issue with the motherboard or the BIOS setup.

[cougarslam]

I assume you have removed all unneeded components?

I had a problem installing vista due to my wireless card.

[Koolpc]

All components tried. Done all the usual things.

Put Bios to default, except to boot from CD/DVD.

Which of these 2 would you go for:

Biostar MCP6P M2+

ASRock N61P-S

These are the motherboards my mate is interested to try. Does not want to spend much and doesn't game on the PC.

[Jiff Lemon]

had a similar thing installing Vista, but I'd get read errors, missing files etc.

Dodgy Memory was to blame. You tried something like memtest on it? Also, hows the CPU temps? Is it fine booting into something like a DOS/PE environment?

[Koolpc]

had a similar thing installing Vista, but I'd get read errors, missing files etc.

Dodgy Memory was to blame. You tried something like memtest on it? Also, hows the CPU temps? Is it fine booting into something like a DOS/PE environment?

As said before, tried different memory which works 100%. Tried Memtest, all ok. Temps fine.

Can install XP with no issues.

[Blitzen]

Vista is checks memory FAR MORE thoroughly than XP ever did. (No idea why though). This problem has cropped up alot of times.
This is almost certainly why you can install with XP and not Vista.

Even though you say you have checked the hardware, it is almost certainly a memory issue.

[Koolpc]

Vista is checks memory FAR MORE thoroughly than XP ever did. (No idea why though). This problem has cropped up alot of times.
This is almost certainly why you can install with XP and not Vista.

Even though you say you have checked the hardware, it is almost certainly a memory issue.

How come then that the Memory i also tested in the PC comes from my 'Working' PC that has Vista on it? Same Motherboard too! Works in mine but not my mates?

I don't think it is a memory issue as we have tried 4 different sticks, 2 different brands which all work in my Vista PC.

[Koolpc]

Installing new Motherboard fixed the problem!! Awesome

[Agent]

Thinking it could be the TFT now.

The....TFT...?

[Koolpc]

The....TFT...?

All fine now but tft goes off now and then! Changed all components but still tft goes off now and again!! Re-installed vista, still same problem with picture.