Installing Vista Ultimate on Vostro 1700 BSOD loop!!

OK before anything else, I've never installed Vista before. I used to be technical (windows 2000 Systems Architect) before I left that career and started my new life. I'd like to think I'm still pretty good with computers but don't assume I'm not doing something completely assinine.

I got my Vostro 1700 today with Vista Basic on it. I have a copy of Vista Ultimate retail from the M$ e-store through a friend. I attempted to install Ultrimate on the largest partition on the computer without nuking any of the recovery or diagnostics partitions and when it rebooted the final time in the installation process (it did go through all the installing windows screens and was rebooting to get into Vista finally) it gives a BSOD for too short to read it and then goes back into the boot safe mode screen. Even safe mode BSODs back to the boot screen. I tried to boot to last known good and somehow I got into Ultimate (how the hell is there a last known good on a fresh OS install?). I tried installing the dell updates to get all the drivers and such and when one asked me to reboot I did and got stuck in the BSoD loop again (last known good this time didn't help).

I also tried nuking the recovery partition and installing on a fresh hard drive but it still gives me a BSoD.

Anyone have any idea what I might be doing wrong here? Is there some driver that Vista needs to run that isn't being installed out of the box? How do I install it knowing the problems above? Can I slipstream it into the Vista disc?

At this point I can't even use the PC recovery to go back to Vista basic (OS discs are on their way to me; stupid dell trying to get rid of them again). I'm going to keep trying variations of the last known good boots and see if I can get into Vista again. I'll install all the drivers/utilities/etc without a reboot and see if that works.

 

Sorry forgot to add:

Vostro 1700, Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, 2.2GHz, 800Mhz FSB 4M L2 Cache
17.0 inch Wide Screen UXGA TL LCD, Vostro 1700
2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 DIMM
256MB NVIDIA GEFORCE 8600M GT
160G 5400RPM SATA hard drive
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
Dell Exclusive MediaDirect Instant Play Software Application
Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron
8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+R write capability, w/o Roxio Creator
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy Stereo
Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini Card
Integrated 2.0 mega pixel webcam 1700
No Anti-Virus/ Security Software requested
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, Vostro 1700
No software package
Soft Contracts - Qualxserve
Warranty Support,Initial Year
Warranty Support,1 Year Extended
Type 3 Contract - Next Business Day Parts and Labor On-Site Response, Initial Year
Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Initial Year
Type 3 Contract - Next Business Day Parts and Labor On-Site Response, 1YR Extended
Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Extended Year
Standard On-Site Installation Declined
DellNetwork Assistant 1.7
Thank you for choosing Dell
Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0+EDR)
Purchase is NOT intended for resell
Dell Support 3.4, No Install
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
You have chosen a Windows Vista Basic System
Dell DataSafe 2.0 Online, 10GBfor 1 Year Free (for ABU only)
VOSTRO,Datasafe 10GB,1YR(Incl w/price)

 

I read on another forum that changing the SATA controller from AHCI to ATA stopped the BSOD loop. Can you confirm this? I'm going to be upgrading to Ultimate as soon as I get my Vostro.

 

in another thread here ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=149213) they mention the speedstep BIOS setting. I am going to try both those and see if either helps. Will report back.

 

That is true. You have two options:

One is to go into the BIOS and change SATA from AHCI to ATA. The drawback there is that you bypass the advantages of AHCI, which I couldn't tell ya about.

The other is to use the Dell driver cd that came with your system to install the SATA drivers DURING the Vista install. So sometime during a fresh install, there will be a little text prompt that says something like "Hit F6 to install drivers" (that's not the real text, but it's something like that)

Hit whatever key it tells you, and put in the Dell cd. That will install the SATA driver for your machine and allow Vista to actually properly install.

I actually did the first one (disabled AHCI in the BIOS) and it works fine. I bought a 7200RPM drive and everything runs smooth. I only found out about the second option (installing the Dell SATA driver during the Vista install) after I had already gotten everything working, so I never reinstalled it. But it seems fast anyway!

 

Actually, don't disable it...you can install it fine. Don't fret though, I had this problem too! Typically, you assign RAID drivers and stuff so you can install on that drive because it doesn't see it...but this gets confusing, because it actually sees it. When it asks you where to install, you'll see an option to load drivers - you want to go to support.dell.com and download the Intel Matrix Storage Manager and load the drivers in there prior to installing and you'll be able to keep AHCI

 

yeah that'd be great if my system came with any CDs. Stupid dell. Sigh. The only CDs my system came with were the Audigy HD install, Webcam manager install and MediaDirect install. The re-install discs are on their way.

If disabling these things works, can I install them later? I mean can I disable AHCI and get into Windows and then install the driver and re-enable AHCI? Or should I wait for the driver discs to come?

 

no they need to be done upon install afaik... go to dell.com and go to the downoad section everything you need is there

 

I just Googled "loading drivers during Vista installation" it turns out you can load them from a flash drive. If you're willing to reinstall Vista with the drivers loaded go for it. For me, I don't have my Vostro yet >_>.

Here's the driver.
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=41&fileid=205611

 

No, you cannot disable AHCI in the BIOS just to install and then go back. BTW, in my experiences you CAN boot from a cold start, just not a warm start like a restart. AHCI/ATA is a very important setting. Just do like I said, which moneydog posted the exact link:

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=41&fileid=205611

and load that during installation and you'll be able to keep AHCI and everything will be dandy. Yes, this is really frustrating and I was the first person to post about this in the forums - I called Dell and they had no idea what I was talking about, I had to figure all of this out on my own...

and yes, you can load them from a flash drive - I actually did that

 

Hey DoubleBack, can you tell me what advantage AHCI gives us? Is it worth me reinstalling everything again just to be able to enable it?

 

Well it's all up to you, but all I can say is Dell has AHCI enabled by default for a reason

AHCI stands for Advanced Host Controller Interface which allows software to communicate to communicate better with SATA devices due to its increased feature set not offered by Parallel ATA, namely native command queuing. Vista fully supports AHCI, and it was actually designed with AHCI in mind. I'm not saying ATA doesn't work, because it does - just AHCI theoretically is faster, more reliable, and overall better. Now if it makes a difference in your case? Who knows...

Again, it's all up to you

 

Did a reinstall from scratch and loaded the AHCI drivers during the Vista install and everything is running smoothly now. Thanks DoubleBlack and everyone else.

 

np, glad it was easy for you...it was a pain in my a!

 

Thank god i found this. I've been struggling forever to get vista ultimate loaded on my computer.

I have Vostro 1400 and it came with Vista Basic. I have a MSDN subscription and i kept getting up to the part where it would get to the final boot and then blue screen flash (BSOD) and reboot.

I found that disabling AHCI and using ATA in the bios works... but the BETTER solution is to install the drivers (located in the drivers CD that comes with the comp) during the partition stage.

thanks guys

 

np, glad I could help!

 

OMG Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thanks to everyone for nailing this down so perfectly. I just got my inspiron 1420 and when I tried to install Vista Ultimate x64 it crapped on me w/ the BSOD. The Intel Matrix Storage Manager fixes the problem perfectly at install.

Also, fyi, if you go to your Dell Account and choose "Downloads for my system" they don't list the x64 copy of the Intel Matrix Storage Manager (at the time this was written anyways). All you need to do is google "site:dell.com Intel Matrix Storage Manager 64 bit" and that'll lead you to the x64 version.

Thanks again for all the help everyone!! =)

 

Maybe we should get this thread stickyed? Or someone create a new cleaner one with just the relevant info?

 

Yes, I should note if anyone needs the x64 version it's located here:

http://support.us.dell.com/support/...eid=R154201&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=205616

 

How about 64-bit drivers for the touchpad and the NVidia 8600M GT? Anyone seen these? Thanks.

J

 

Seems you got this problem fixed already but here's my two cents on the matter.

I just got my 1520 with Vista Premium and did a clean install of Ultimate - wiped everything off the disk. The install went fine right up until the last reboot. BSOD loop. WTF!

Shut the system down, restarted and got the Windows did not shut down correctly message, selected normal startup and viola! Loads without an issue. So far so good.

Guess I found this thread a little late, oh well

 

If you have not loaded the ACHI drivers during installation, you will not be able to do a restart at all, and would only be able to boot sometimes. You really need to load the AHCI drivers DURING INSTALLATION (that is, unless you are using a Dell disk).

 

Im having the same Problems as all of you. Im running a Vostro 1700, and I cannot install the Dell Disk version of Vista Home Basic, without using the previously spoken of Matrix Drivers. I also cannot install Dell Disk version of XP - Period.

I contacted dell support techs and all they could do, after 2 hours of trouble shooting, was send me a replacement pre-flashed HD.
I have been soooo pissed off over this and Dells inadaquite, and merely temporary, assistance that I have decided to take matters into my own hand.

There is a site that Dell runs that basicly works like a blog for public petition over their products and services. I have raised this exact issue under the name "Fix issue regarding OS installation vs. SATA Hard Drive"

I invite you to all go to the site, and register, then 'promote' the proposal so that we can get some real fixes from Dell!

THIS IS THE LINK:
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/73678/Fix_issue_regarding_OS_installation_vs_SATA_Hard_Drive

 

Do you know anything about computers? This is the way they work...you can't just preflash a HDD and have it magically work, or change the BIOS - devices need drivers, and the HDD is no exception. You can complain all you want, the only way to get this "fixed" is to either contact Intel to tell them they need to base their AHCI controllers more standard, which would definitely not fly - or contact Microsoft telling them that they need to ship out all versions of Vista with YOUR AHCI driver, highly unlikely.

You are barking up the wrong tree, but do some research on HDD drivers (particularly with RAID and AHCI)

 

Woulda been nice if you would have put it like that earlier.

- still, why are many people having problems even booting their installation cds/dvds?

 

Also, are the drivers for the AHCI made for control of the HD, or the BIOS, or what? Mo-Bo, Processor?

 

AHCI is a special mode of operation for HDD's which speed up operations slightly in many cases, but require special drivers for the operating system to interpret the instructions correctly. So, the drivers are to control the HDD, it has nothing to do with the BIOS. However, if you wish to just make this entire process 10x easier just go into the BIOS and change HDD operation mode from AHCI to ATA and you'll be able to install the Vista disk with no additional drivers necessary

 

My Vostro 1700 came out of the box from Dell without the AHCI driver installed. It would BSOD and go to windows error recovery screen in a loop until I disabled automatic restart on system failure and saw the STOP: 0x0000007B error. Then after googling it I was able to disable AHCI and it booted... Of course there was no Vista DVD included with the machine, so I can't do a reinstall w/ the correct drivers.

So now I'm waiting for them to ship me a replacement machine. Hopefully this one will include the Vista DVD (the tech said he ordered it).

 

Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't AHCI have to be on to enable Flash Cache? And doesn't FC provide legitimate tangible benefits to most users? I have heard it can do wonders for things like boot time and app loading as well as helping battery life and that it acts as a sort of readyboost that actually functions even before windows loads...

 

You are correct. In order to switch from AHCI mode into ATA mode on the disk controller, it makes you disable Flash Cache first.

There has been some debate about the merits of the Intel Turbo Memory with some claiming that you are better off spending the money on extra RAM to get better performance and battery life. But the specs I saw from an article that was quoting HP was on a 1 GB machine where that's probably true -- maybe not for a 2 GB or 4 GB machine. HP also had a valid point that the end user might want more than the 512MB ReadyBoost provided by the Intel Turbo Memory card (split evenly with 512MB for ReadyDrive) by using a memory stick or SD card, which HP claims can be purchased for less than the internal Intel card.

I dunno, I bought my Vostro with the Intel Turbo Memory -- it was only $30 extra and since it's an internal card it allows the use of ReadyDrive. If ReadyDrive decreases boot time (intel claims 20% faster boot times), I think it's probably worthwhile -- if it saves 5 seconds per boot, then $30 is cheap if I boot more than 250 or so times over the life of the machine (and with the ReadyBoost features thrown in for free).

 

Hey All,

For those of you interested, you can install XP onto the Vostro 1700 without using a floppy disk, and running the HDDs in AHCI mode. This method may work with Vista too, although I haven't tried it yet. I use this method every time I change the chipset of the boot drive to keep from getting a Stop 0x7b. I was able to successfully install XP by doing the following:

1. In the BIOS, change the HD mode from AHCI to ATA.
2. Save settings, and boot XP install disk. Install XP as you normally would.
3. Once XP is completely installed and ready to roll, install the Dell Intel Chipset drivers found here: http://ftp.us.dell.com/chipset/R153997.EXE
4. Do all the rebooting required for the install, and even an extra if it makes you feel good .
5. Download the Intel Matrix drivers found here: http://ftp.us.dell.com/SATA/R154200.EXE
6. Run the .exe and extract them to a a folder of your choice.
7. Boot into safe mode, and open the device manager.
8. Find the Intel ICH-8M controller listed under "IDE-ATA/ATAPI Controllers" (or if you doing this on any other system, the HD controller the bootable drive is using) and right-click it, pick "update driver". If there are two, pick the top one as that is the one that worked when I did it. This will open the driver update wizard. Pick "no, not this time" for it to check online, "Install from a specific location (Advanced)", "Don't search. I will choose the driver to install". Uncheck "Show compatible hardware" and then click on "Have Disk". Click "Browse", and find the folder that contains the Matrix drivers you extracted in step 5&6. Double click the filename "Iaahci.inf". Click "OK". This will pull up a list of Intel AHCI controllers. Some of you might be getting the BSOD on the vista install cuz it may be loading the wrong driver, although during boot I believe it will load all the drivers on the list. Anyway, the driver that works with the Vostro 1700 is "82801HEM/HBM SATA AHCI" (I will tell you how I found this out below). So double click that driver. It will prompt you with a warning saying that installing it may cause problems. Just click "Yes" and continue the install. This will install the Matrix raid drivers into the driver cache.
9.Now in device manager, open the "IDE ATA/ATAPI" section back up. Right click, and pick "Uninstall" for EVERY device listed under this section. It may ask you to reboot, DO NOT REBOOT YET. SELECT "NO". When you uninstall the controller that hosts the boot drive, it might hang for about 30secs or so. This is normal, just wait and pick NO when asked to reboot. Also the boot controller may not disappear. Thats ok, just make sure you run the uninstall for every device listed.
10. In device manager expand the "Disk Drives" tree. Right click, then uninstall for ALL the devices listed under this tree.
11. REBOOT AND ENTER BIOS. Its CRITICAL that you enter the bios before the OS boots again, or you'll have to go and remove the devices again.
12.In the BIOS, set the HD mode back to AHCI. You can enable the Intel Turbo Flash if you want, but it won't affect what we are doing here. Save settings and reboot. XP will boot and install the correct controllers, and your on your way! A reboot maybe required again to finish up the correct install of the controllers.

ALL DONE!

I found that the Vostro 1700 has the:
With integrated graphics: Intel® 965GM Express chipset
With discrete graphics: Intel® 965PM Express chipset
( http://www.dell.com/content/product...vostronb_1700?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~wsf=tabs )

I then went to Intel's site and found which Matrix SATA controller was on the 965PM chipset: 82801HBM/HEM (ICH8-M) Found at the bottom of the page here: http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/pm965/index.htm

If you have the integrated intel graphics, it uses the same chipset:
http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/GM965/index.htm

This method has worked for all my machines, no matter what chipset it had or that I switched it to. Works great when you swap out a motherboard and don't want to re-install windows

 

hi i have a dual boot system...

after i did this i cannot access vista...i installed xp first then vista.

 

oh its okay already...

i switched it back to ata and redid the same with vista...

now im in AHCI mode and im able to boot both xp and vista

thanks for everything..bookmarking this page for future references

 

I love you guys. Seriously. Saved me from throwing my new laptop out the window.