New
#1
Stuck on Starting Windows screen + XP only installs with non-ACPI
So my PC crashes the other day, and I figure its just one of those routine crashes. I reboot the machine but on loading it gets stuck on the 'Starting Windows' screen (The one where the four colored balls join to form the Windows logo). I try to run Start-up recovery from the Win7 cd and once again it freezes on the same place. Finally I decide a format may be required and I boot from the CD and yet again it gets stuck on 'starting windows'.
By now Im really concerned, so I decide to try installing another OS. I try XP, Vista and even Fedora Linux and they all get stuck about the time when setup should normally be loading files.
I've tried all sorts of tests using the Ultimate boot CD and they all come out passed.
I've also read in another forum that probably the PSU could be faulty so I try to boot up my pc with another PSU but its still the same problem.
Then I read in this one forum where a user is facing the similar problem with XP, that I gotta hit F5 when it says installing RAID drivers and select 'Standard PC with c-step i486'. After I do this, the installation proceeds fine and I'm able to use XP now.
However, on further reading, I realize that this installed XP on my PC without ACPI. And perhaps, Windows 7, Vista and Fedora Linux didn't install because they need ACPI support. However my motherboard does have support for ACPI, as I've used Windows 7, plus I had installed Vista and Fedora Linux in the past with no glitch.
Is it normal for ACPI support to just disappear like that? What could be the problem with my PC? Do I need to upgrade the BIOS or anything of the such?
Thanks!