Upgrading cpu/mobo and cant install windows

First check your hardware; download and run a ram tester, download and run the hd mgf's utility for checking the drive. If both check out ok, then boot with your xp cd [cd set as first boot device in the bios] Delete your partition and create one. If you want more than one partition, then create one of the size you want. The rest will be created using disk management after you are up and running. Format with ntfs and setup will continue. There is no need for fdisk, or any win9x boot disk; everything is done from xp's setup program.

You are trying to install from an xp disk rather than a recovery type of disk that comes with most computers correct?

One more thought, make sure your ps is up to running the new board. It should be at least 350W and a quality mgf; not one of the 500W $25.00 power supplies.

 

The memory test you are referring to does not completely check the memory. It only checks that is there and installed. A complete test of the memory takes hours; I let it run all night. Ram, power supply, and to a lesser extent hd; cause most of the install problems with xp and win2k.

 

NTFS is the native file system for nt based os and [imo] should be used. XP and win2k can use fat file systems, however I think you get a more stable, fault tolerant system with ntfs.

 

That might be the reason right there. First return all settings to stock, then try to boot / install. Some quality ps are Antec, Enermax, Enlight, Coolmax; there are others, howerver those are the ones I use in my builds. Look at your ps; if it is made by foxxcon, deer, allied, powmax, do yourself a favor and dump it.

One good indication of a ps quality is weight. Go to a local computer store and see how heavy an Antec or Enermax ps is. Now lift your ps and see if it near the same.

 

Most overclocks up the fsb and or the multiplier. An overclocked fsb can result in data corruption; therefore loss of data during an install.

 

It sounds like you do not know how to overclock. I would get whomever sold you the board to return it to stock settings. Sometimes a jumper is needed, most of the time overclocking is done in the bios.

 

If it is done in the bios [and you do not know how to set it] you can clear cmos with the clear jumper. That should return all settings to stock. First of all CHECK the manual.