Hello ROG! New member here, I could definitely use some help installing an OS

[level7]

Hey guys,

I just picked up my new computer and put it together today, here are the specs:

GSKILL 8 GB RipJwsX
i7 3770K 3.6 GHz 8 MB
Maximums V Gene (E7179)
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
WD 1.5 TB TB 64 MB HDD
Antec Basiq 550 w PSU
Asus 121ST 12x BD Writer
Bitfenix Outlaw Black

My problem is that no matter what I do I can't even seem to install a OS. I've tried 3 now: Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and Windows XP SP3 integrated patches within the last 3 - 4 months.

Did a bit of searching before I found this board and read that sometimes the ACHI SATA mode selection causes issues before the drivers exists on older OS but I consider the 3 OS' I am using to be pretty modern. Not sure what's going on. Anyway, this is what I've done:

- memtest with Ubuntu boot disk, let it run no errors reported
- Tried booting Ubuntu 12.04 LTS livecd and it just crashes
- Switched between port #1 and #2 of the Intel Z77 SATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors tried both IDE/ACHI
- Switched between the #1 and #2 of the Maximus V Gene Marvell SATA 6.0 Gb/s s connectors and tried both IDE/ACHI ..

** EDIT ** - Apparently the Asmedia 106 SATA controller is what the other SATA contrller is called and not the Maximus V Gene Marvell SATA controller that's listed in the manual.. not sure how I can confirm this. On the mobo they are both RED in color, not the black ones. ***

All result in crashes installing the 3 OS' and trying to LiveCD Ubuntu.

I'm not sure what else to do, hopefully you guys can help. Otherwise, this mobo going back.

Other peripherals attached: my keyboard and mouse (both are USB)
Only 1 Samsung S24A650S (of the 2 that I have)

Let me know if there is anything else you need from me. If I can't resolve this matter in the next couple days I'm going to have to take this thing back but I'm trying to avoid it as this mobo really is quite amazing.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Alex

*** EDIT #2: Q-code when frozen is A0 . Just trying to give you guys as much info as possible **

[level7]

So.. for the record, this is exactly my issue. Brand new HDD I just bought today. And as bizzare as it is I think now that there are two cases of this reported its time to look in to a possible issue? I followed your instructions HiVizMan and I understand youwere stumped then, so what is your suggestion at this point? I'm all ears and open to suggestions I just want a working computer, one way or another.

[8_Pack]

A0 is fine that is just telling you what mode the Intel ports are set to.

The other ports on this board are ASmedia mate.

As for installing windows disable the ASmedia ports in bios and connect your HD to the red ports in the middle, Connect your optical in the Black ports. Set IDE in the SATA options in bios and both Win 7 and XP should install straight up. Windows 7 should install straight up on those ports with AHCI enabled too.

[HiVizMan]

Hey Level17 I merged your post with this thread mate just to keep things in one place and not have us working at odds.

Have you made a USB OS install drive? Download the Microsoft USB tool if not, and make one. Real easy and will make the process much easier.

Ok lets get methodical.

Remove all harddrives and optical drives from your system.

Power up.
F5 enter
F10 enter
and boot back into BIOS.
Power down
Add the single hard drive you want to install OS on. I do not care where you connect it too.
Power up.
F5 and enter again.
F10 and enter.

Insert your OS USB drive.

Power up
F8
Select the USB stick as first boot
Install OS

[moorhen2]

HDD could be a "Dynamic" drive,if so Windows wont install to it...

[Myk_SilentShado]

moorhen2 wrote:
HDD could be a "Dynamic" drive,if so Windows wont install to it...

Even if this was the case, Windows would say so and report that the HDD partition needs to be deleted and a new one made.

[moorhen2]

Myk SilentShadow wrote:
Even if this was the case, Windows would say so and report that the HDD partition needs to be deleted and a new one made.

Windows wont install to a Dynamic disk that has a Simple volume,the drive has to be Active.

[Myk_SilentShado]

moorhen2 wrote:
Windows wont install to a Dynamic disk that has a Simple volume,the drive has to be Active.

Yeah, but wouldn't Windows say the parition has to be deleted first and actually do it? I know WIndows is a PITA a lot of the time, but surely it's actually smart enough to do that right lol

[moorhen2]

You would have thought so, lol!!!