Can't get Windows 7 running - reboots

[iceman25c]

Hello,
It's been great reading these forums. I've learned a lot, but have an issue that I can't seem to fix.

I've got a new home built system. All the parts are new. The specs are listed below.

I can load Windows (retail OEM DVD Home Premium 64 bit), but after the second reboot in the installation sequence, the system shuts down. I can power up, and it will get to the 'Starting Windows' screen, pause, and then shut down. About one in four times, it will complete the boot and load. The event logs show event ID 20010 and 1074 initiating the shutdown. Subsequent reboots will shutdown as well. Occasionally, I can make it start in debug or safe mode, but not every time.

I've not yet loaded any specific drivers. Memtest passed with no errors and the WD diagnostics say the HDD is okay. I've unhooked everything from the board except the video card, DVD, and HDD. I've tried re-formatting and re-installing multiple times.

I'm sure I'm missing something ridiculously easy to fix. Any thoughts?

 

[Ztruker]

Remove all but 2GB of Ram and try it. Sometimes that resolves this kind of problem. Put it back once the install is completed.

 

[gregrocker]

Google the exact error text and codes which cause the shutdown to find out how to resolve it.

Here are troubleshooting tips: http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...-lags-every-couple-seconds-2.html#post1131640

If you can get into Safe Mode, check which devices are in error in Device Manager and update the driver. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/97061-driver-install-device-manager.html

Newer drivers should also be cued in optional Windows Update.

Did you wipe the HD with zeroes before install to overwrite any corrupt boot sector or infected code? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

Tips for clean reinstall: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

Check all cables and connections carefully.

Reset the CMOS: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/tp/clearcmos.htm

 

[iceman25c]

Thanks! I'll give these a try tonight and let you know how they worked.

 

[iceman25c]

Worked great- until I put the memory back in. Single stick=fine. Two sticks (any combination)=fine. Four sticks=reboot. I'm going to re-run memtest for a few hours and see if anything new pops up.

 

[theog]

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3
Check the Memory Support List here:
GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 1156 - GA-P55A-UD3 (rev. 2.0)

 

[iceman25c]

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL is not on the list. Do I need new memory?

 

[theog]

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL is not on the list. Do I need new memory?

Looking like you have mismatching Ram.

 

[iceman25c]

Even if all the RAM is the same?

 

[theog]

Even if all the RAM is the same?

Mismatching to the MB.

 

[iceman25c]

Hello again,

I swapped out the RAM for some that's on the Gigabyte approved list. Same issue: 2 sticks work fine, all four cause a freeze and reboot at the "Starting Windows" screen.