[zvone]

I've bought a brand new system 2 weeks ago(Intel core2duo 8400) but Pioneer CD/DVD writer won't let me install any Windows on it(tried 5 different versions that work on other computers)! It starts installation but never finishes(just stops reading). After that won't read any Cd/DVD'S. When left without power overnight starts reading again but never long enough to complete Windows installation(when it stops I got different message every time: cannot copy file or file is missing etc.). I'd brought it back 3 times for the repair and every time I was told that nothing is wrong with my system. Next time they gonna charge me if I bring it back for the same problem. I didn't want to open it and connect my old burner because of warranty(they can say that I messed up something). Any ideas!! I am really going nuts!

[Hughv]

Brand new systems are under warranty. Just RMA the whole thing.
Why do you need to install Windows on a new system?
Has the repair shop tried installing Windows using your disk?

[sandave003]

If vendor has provided you system, he must take the burden, your DVD rom is not good. I had experienced incompatibility of mobo, dvdrom(sata) and operating system, once dvdrom changed to ide , installation of OS proceeded successfully. so check.

[zvone]

I've bought system without Windows(there was an option $200 for them to install their XP or nothing if I install mine). They said that they installed my Xp without problems(wouldn't let me see it!) and then formatted the drive again. When I got home CD/DVD writer starts installing and then stops(the light goes off). DVD room is SATA so is it possible to change it to IDE through Bios?

ps. Should I press F6 before installation to install third party driver?

[DoubleHelix]

You tried installing 5 different versions of Windows? Which versions? Using retail disks? OEM disks? Copies? Originals?
How far does it get?
If you're seeing the prompt to press a key to install drivers, that means the computer is booting from a CD successfully. At what point does it stop?
Did you try a Linux live disk? Ultimate boot CD?

[zvone]

All of them were Xp Professionals(retails which I borrowed from friends). Mine is Home edition(from my old laptop) which never been installed before. It always stops at a different point, as far as I got was 11 minutes before the end of installation. As I said after it stops it's not able to read anything until left without power overnight!

[DoubleHelix]

What screen are you seeing that shows you a status of 11 minutes remaining? Is that beyond the initial file copy process and well into the setup? If so, that probably rules out the optical drive or any of the disks. I'd lean more toward some other type of hardware problem.

[zvone]

It was well into the setup, after that I couldn't pass the"copying files" point.

[Hughv]

You must be some kind of masochist.
Return the system and demand a full refund or that they install Windows while you watch. You have rights as a consumer. Use them.

[MaverickUK]

Ehm, try removing all RAM and leave a single stick of RAM installed (if you have more than one) and try the installation process over again.

[zvone]

The problem is I already claimed Educational tax refund(the government is giving you back 50% of money for every new comp. bought). I intend to call Consumer Affairs(they protect consumers rights, but that takes a few weeks or even months). Before that I just want to make sure that I was doing everything right. So if you have any tips or something I haven't tried yet, please tell me! Thank you in advance!

[replay]

these symptoms sound like the memory is bad....... like maverick says take a stick out and then try the other

[zvone]

If I opened it and they find out the warranty is gone! As I mentioned before they said that there is nothing wrong with the system and that they were able to install Windows with no problems! If they are lying the question is why?

ps. by the way I got 2 memory sticks(GB each)

[DoubleHelix]

Why would they lie? Um...to scam people.

The bottom line is you have a computer with a problem, and the company you bought it from won't fix it. I'm not familiar with Australia's consumer protection laws, but I assume some exist. Get it fixed, or get a refund.

[zvone]

Now I finally got a message that can mean something. When I put my XP CD in the drive and press a key to boot from it I got a message"NTLDR is missing , memory overflow error"Anyone got solution for this??