Thira

pduan87 Either my older IDE cables were bad or I did not have the master connection properly connected. It seemed that I would get to the same place in loading windows XP before crapping out just like you. Changing to the IDE cables from DFI have certainly gotton me in the right direction. As far as testing your hard disks, Seagate has a program that works well with other manufacturer hard drives. You can download it from their web site. I did not finish, I had to go to my day job. I did spend over 24 hours on this and am not happy with myself. I still am optimistic that I can finish. I still have to finish WIndowsXP install, SP2, drivers, my original programs, Audigy2 ZS sound, and my IDE HDD which I use for a backup. Also I did change the IDE connection on the motherboard to the connection closest to the edge of the board ( I am away from the diagram data which is at home). Good luck. PM if you have any ideas to bounce off someone else.

malinois1: Tested the memory all last night...30x...checked out OK. This AM I replaced the IDE cable (had been using a rounded cable from my old system -ATA 100/133) with the one from the DFI motherboard to the DVDROM & CDROM. Repower & reboot. Loaded Windows XP and rebooted. WOW. To my amazement Windows is loading for the FINAL Installation. I'm so glad, I can't believe it. So...I'm off to work. BTW, malinois, I too am originally a native from La. Thanks

Malinois1: I did try that on the 1st mobo....no success. I did see pduan87's thread and it seems my problem is like his. My memory is new, although I am presently running memtest86+.. Then I will boot from my CDROM9not the DVDROM I have been using. LastlyI will try another Windows XP cd for the install. Man I cannot believe the time I have wasted on this project not to mention money. Thanks and appreciate any other ideas. Does DFI have a tech support number?

I did clear the CMOS, did connect the two additional power connectors (for a total of 4 power connectors). I went back into the BIOS enabling RAID, then the RAID BIOS, deleted the RAID, created the RAID, booted into the WIndows XP CD, began the install, laoded the drivers, formatted, installed. Rebooted, this time getting to the WIndows logo , then the BSOD., THe computer jus will eventually reboot to the BSOD. I guess that is progress, but there has got to be something else I need to do. I have built 10 or so computers from scratch now, and never have I had this kind of difficulties.

I have read the Angry Games thread. Basically I have enabled the SATA 1-4 but not the IDE for RAID. I plan to later use IDE for a back up HDD. As far as power connectors, I have the ATX power, +12V power, but not the 5V/12V Power connected (thought this was only needed if planned to install SLI bridge?- I do not plan to use this). Don't know about the fourth (like the floppy) or where it is located. I'll try the 5V/12V connection. I am still perplexed. Any other help? Thanks

Gentlemen- I thought I had received a defective motherboard so I purchased an identical second one: DFI LANParty UT nf4 ultra-d. Installed the motherboard, memory 2x512), processor and cooling (retail box), power (24 pin & 4 pin rectangular connectors, video card, DVD ROM, CDROM, Floppy, and front panel connectors. Booted, then went into BIOS where I changed BIOS to boot first from Removeable (ie Floppy). Then rebooted to floppy & flashed BIOS to 6/23/05. Then rebooted and went to BIOS. Changed boot order to CDROM, Hard Drivex2 for RAID, CDROM, disabled the DFI LOGO on boot, then enabled RAID & SATA 1-4, changed video fron PCI to PCI Express. Rebooted, then entered RAID BIOS. Created RAID 1. Control-x & booted to WIndows XP Professional CD. Hit F6 at appropriate time, then added two drivers when prompted from floppy. Partitioned the HDD, then formate, then computer copied windows files and rebooted. Then I came to the date and the following screen message: "Windows could not startbecause of a computer disc hardware configuration problem. Could not read from the selected boot disc. Check boot path and disk hardware." This is identicle where I ended with the first motherboard and the reason that I purchased a second. When I originally had this issue with the firstmotherboard, I ran Seagate DIsc drive DIagnostic Program and the results as following: - My CoOmputer - passed --Motherboard Primary/Secondary IDE Controller- passed --Unknown controller ----160 GB BIOS Drive0x80 SN: N/A --------NTFS (160) GB - failed ----Other Seagate Drives --------160 GB ST 3160023AS SN:3Js23ZK3- passed --------160 GB ST 3160023AS SN:3Js2E6DK- passed I cannot install windows and do not know where to go. Why does the Seagate program show failed @NTFS? Could this be my problem or is it a setting in my BIOS? Thanks for the help

StephenC, thanks. No IDE HArd drives hooked up. Primary IDE is empty...secondary IDE has DVD master, CD slave. RAID enabled....SATA 1,2 enabled. Boot order to load windows is CDROM, hard drive, then CDROM. What I cannot figure is that I had Windows XP initially totally loaded with SP2 added and windows update to latest fixes and all drivers including ethernet, catalyst for video. No yellow question marks in Device manager. I began with this when I added the IDE hard drive and Audigy 2 ZS audio. Then my problems began and I can no longer load Windows. What do you think it means NTFS failed on the seagate diagnostic test?

Used new drivers on the floppy, different WIndowsXP CD, and each time load wWindows XP & when reboots get "Windows could not startbecause of a computer disk hardware configuration problem Could not read from the selected boot disk. check boot path and disk hardware. " Could the motherboard have gone bad?

StephenC...Is the RAID driver the two drivers that are needed wheh installing Windows ie when it is time to hit F6? Thanks

Ok I can reformat it, np....the SATA driver is installed from the floppy when installing WIndows XP? If so I have been doing that repeatedly. Could the drivers on the floppy be bad. If so where do I get the drivers for the floppy? Are they on the Disc that came with the motherboard? Thanks

Just finished the test...had a failed test: My Computer passed Motherboard Primary/Secondary IDE Controller passed Unknown Controller 160 GB BIOS Drive 0x80 SN:N/A NTFS failed Other Seagate Drives 160 GB ST3160023AS SN:3JS23ZK3 passed 160 GB ST3160023AS SN:3JS2E6DK passed What does it mean that the NTFS (160) GB Failed? How do I go about corresting this? Thanks

Antec Neopower 480. I plugged the 24 pin and 4 pin into the motherboard. Video card does not require one. I did not plug the into the 5V/12V power onto the motherboard.

RIght now the only things plugged are the two SATA drives , memory , video, power supply , DVD, & CD. I cannot get past when the WIndows logo comes on....then black screen. I am running the SEeagate test for the SATA drives. Then the Memtest. What I do not get is why the system originally was perfect until I connected the IDE HDD and Sound card.

My problem now is I can boot from the WIndows CD, install WIndows, but when the system reboots, I have a black screen.. any suggestions?

Do I need the IDE drivers for my IDE devices, ie DVD, CD burners & IDE HDD?