I'm putting a new unit (with Mark's help) and I'm problem.
I'm not sure if I even know what the problem is and possibly there might be more than one. Here is my major.

I got it to post, boot, etc. Half way through, XP says that something is wrong and it is shutting down to prevent damage. Now it would boot, post, etc., would not load XP. In the post itself there seems to be a problem.

The immediate issue is: it will boot, post but it will shut down and give me the dreaded blue screen instead! (I think there is something wrong with the posting itself and that is another issue, I think. For example, When I inserted the Mobo disc, I was never given a chance to install the drivers! I managed to get into the Bios though. But in the posting itself, it takes so long. I cannot quite read it, but something seems to be missing,not found, etc. Then the post gets to DHCP and at this point, it will process DHCP for more than a minute. Then it says that windows cannot proceed. It shuts down with blue screen.

The SATA HD is new. What do I do to wipe the HD clean and starts all over again? I use Seagate disc, but it won't help me at all. I think I made a mistake by formatting the entire 320GB as one partition. I meant to partition my C drive 40GB only, but missed that!

If this sounds confusing that is because I'm confused! I just want to straighten out the HD, then after that I would just take it to the store to let them finish it off. A little discouraged - unless those of you who are out there can show me the light. I have put together about a dozen units in the past 3 or 4 years, this is the first time I'm this serious problem. (Two weeks ago I finished one Duo Core unit with no hassle. This unpredictibility is getting under my skin.) It has nothing to do with PS; I have enough power and I've tested it, it works. When I was int he Bios, I checked the temperature, etc and everything reads: OK, OK. The temp. registered 35 degree C (for CPU and Mobo.)

==========
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX
CPU -Intel Coire 2 Duo E6750
Veideo card: MSI NX8600GT-T2D256EZ EeForce 8600GT - 128 bits PCI-xx16
CD-Rom is an old one and to be replaced once the unit starts working. Now it is working.
Ram: 2 GB (2 sticks of Mushkin DII800 996533

I want to thank Mark for helping with the selection of the components.

My guess is that you have some bad memory. What do the blue screens say? Be specific!

Behind every good computer... is a jumble of wires 'n stuff.

First thing to do is get the latest BIOS for the new motherboard, prepare a floppy disc (or whatever), and flash the BIOS. Load setup defaults, then make the appropriate setting changes.

Next thing to do is to increase the ram voltage to 1.9v (or default + 0.1v) in the BIOS. Manually set the ram timings to 5-5-5-18 and the ratio to 2.0 (so the ram is running at 333/667Mhz).

You will need to repartition your hard drive. You will need at least 3 partitions because each needs to be no more than 137GB.

Try to install Windows XP, then the drivers from the Gigabyte CD and report back.

Mark099!

Thank you, kindly, Mark, for the detailed explanation.
I will try to download the file you suggested. I did not install
a floppy, so would have to do that. It does not seem to want to read my flash drive.

I will report back after I get the stuff loaded.

Thanks so much.

Mark,
Firt the new Bios:
The latest one is a beta version, dated July 25, 2007.
The next newest one is dated 6/12/2007.

I've downloaded both but has not installed it. They are on the flash drive and I've adjust the Bios's first boot to USB. Hope that works.

Do I go to the beta or the stable second version?

http://www.gigabyte.us/Support/Motherboard/BIOS_Model.aspx?ProductID=2515

*****

Second on the the ram voltage.
I did get into the Bios. But I find nothing on ram!! The Intelligent Tweat in the Bios as the folowing listing:
Robust graphic (set to Auto)
CPU clock partio (set to 8x)

CPU host clock control (disable)
CPU host frequent (set at 200 MHz; not changeable clock control is enabled. I can then it to 266 MHz or 333 MHz. When I try to change, there is a flashing warning: System voltage not optimized)

PCI express (set to Auto)
System Mem multiplier (set to Auto)
Memory Fequency (set to 800 MHz)
High speed dram dll settings (set to Option 1; can change to Option 2)
Performance enahnce (set to Turbo)

****System voltage optimizer
system voltage control (set to Auto; can change to manual)
DDR2 over voltage control (+0.1v)
Pci express (normal)
fsb over voltage (normal)
cpu voltage (normal)
normal cpu Vcore (1.35v)

So I don't know where to search for the functions you mentioned. Nothng else in the Bios takes me there.

P.S.

I've just into the Bios again and noticed that both CD-Rom and SATA Hard drive not listed in the boot order. In fact, there is nothing there!
This is odd because they were all there, I booted from CD, install XP, etc, but now it is gone. I've reinstalled cables, etc., still no change in the status.

Does this point to some problem some where?

Thanks.

Mark099!

Mark isn't that ram actually 800?Also Performance Enhance for the ram the low setting is "standard".I had a bad dvd drive a couple of months back that caused similar issues.I have the same mobo and cpu using the F4 bios with no hitches.

Yes, but I wanted to create an install situation that could do a better job at isolating any hardware issues. Running the ram below specs should take it out of the equation for causing the problem -- unless it's defective.

Drive issues could be the result of many things -- a bad cable, a bad motherboard, BIOS version, BIOS setting or improper jumpering of the drive(s). The fact that two drives are missing makes me think it's a board issue, which could be as simple as the wrong setting(s) in the BIOS and as bad as a short (by a standoff in the wrong place) or defective board.

Mark099!

Install the latest BIOS (beta).

Second on the the ram voltage.
I did get into the Bios. But I find nothing on ram!!

First off -- clear the CMOS. In the main BIOS screen/menu hit the CTRL + F1 keys to unlock the advance menus.

The Intelligent Tweat in the Bios as the folowing listing:

Robust graphic (set to Auto)
AUTO
CPU clock partio (set to 8x)
8x

CPU host clock control (disable)
enable or manual
CPU host frequent (set at 200 MHz; not changeable clock control is enabled. I can then it to 266 MHz or 333 MHz. When I try to change, there is a flashing warning: System voltage not optimized)
set to 333

PCI express (set to Auto)
100
System Mem multiplier (set to Auto)
manually set to 2.0
Memory Fequency (set to 800 MHz)
667Mhz
High speed dram dll settings (set to Option 1; can change to Option 2)
Option 1
Performance enahnce (set to Turbo)
set to normal or low

****System voltage optimizer
system voltage control (set to Auto; can change to manual)
manual
DDR2 over voltage control (+0.1v)
+0.1v
Pci express (normal)
normal
fsb over voltage (normal)
+0.1v
cpu voltage (normal)
normal cpu Vcore (1.35v)
manually set to 1.35v

So I don't know where to search for the functions you mentioned. Nothng else in the Bios takes me there.

In the main BIOS screen/menu hit the CTRL + F1 keys to unlock the advance menus.

The last pic on this page should help with manual ram settings.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/ga-p35-ds3r_6.html#sect0

From top to bottom you want:

Manual
5
5
5
18
auto
auto
auto
42
auto for all the rest

Mark099!

Mark,
Have been gone most of the day. Thanks a million for your detailed instructions. I read the link you gave, and yes Gigabyte's motherboard has secret codes not listed anywhere in the user's manual!

I just wan to reply to before I start working on it and will report back. You restore my confidence! Very grateful to you indeed for all the help.

Mark,

I write this with a sense of deep gratitude for your unfailing help with this new built. It is truly your baby, from part selections to troubleshooting.

It works like a charm, Mark!

I have to reboot before I could see those ram setting options.

The moment it booted up, I knew it was going to work - all beeping previously heard were gone!! It was as quiet as a graveyard. It booted up to half installed XP!! I'm in the process of completing that installation and it will be another hour before it is done. I don't want to wait that long to write this to thank you.

I never got to updating the bios because when it booted up it went straigh to XP, where it is right now. Should I do it after I finish the XP installation?

Again, I owe a debt of gratitude for your kindness and technical expertise in guiding me through this mess. I'm going to have a good night sleep tonight and I hope you, too!

Wes

Great job, Mark!

If you don't experience any more problems, then leave the BIOS alone for a while.

You should run the computer for at least 3 days with the current settings to ensure stability. Make sure to create a restore point everyday as you go along. If okay, then I want you to test the ram with the 2.40? ratio (at 400/800 Mhz) with memtest for at least 12 hours. If no errors, then your computer has a clean bill of health.

If you get errors, then flash the BIOS to the latest version and test again until it errors. If errors, then test one DIMM at a time until you can figure which DIMM is defective.

Mark099!

Thank you, Mark.

I will do the tests. If I have problem will report back.
If it works okay, I'll be sure to post the result.

Again, thanks a million for all the help.

Wes

Edit:

When re-enter the Bios, I notice that the Flashing sign that I mentioned previous is still flashing. "Your system is not optimized"
Should I ignore it or is there a tweak somewhere that can take care of that?

Ignore for now.

Mark099!

I'm sorry to return so quickly.
I cannot get connected to the Internet, which usually is a non-issue because I connect to one of the 4 ports on the Router. (There is another PC which is connected to the Router and from the Router there is also a 2nd PC which is connected wirelessly via Belkins router.)

Typically when I plug in the cable to one of the 4 available ports on the Router, it connects in minutes. Not this time.

I checked the device manager and notice big yellow question marks on the following:

Ethernet Controller
PCI device
SM Bus Controller
Video Controller (VGA compatible)

When I tried to install Canon Printer drive, the cd-drive won't load it, either through direct installation or via update.

MP780 now shows up with big yellow question also.

I tried to install the Motherboard drivers and video card drivers, windows cannot find the drivers even after I direct it to the cd drive.

I might have done something stupid - something I've done before without harm - but it may be the cause. So let me tell what I did.
When I partition the HD into several partitions, the drive letter D was already taken by the cd drive. I subsequently changed it to W:\ - I usually like to it toward the end. I can use the cd drive to install other programs, but it seems not to recognize the motherboard disc and the video disc.

What do I do now? Can I start all over again and how do I do that? (I have only one program on it, Acronis True Image).

Sorry to mess up your marvelous handiwork, Mark!

Thanks.

Wes

Wes,

None of your drivers are installed including the onboard network adapter - so no internet.

you mentioned that the CD drive was an old one. Did you replace it?

have you got another drive you could try just to eliminate that possibility?

Horatio is right. After loading WinXP, the first thing you should have done is installed your motherboard drivers and any other relevant drivers. You can't have a fully functional operating system, if you neglect to install your drivers! That's why you're seeing all those exclamation marks in the device manager.

Mike and Chewy,

Thanks, yes, I missed those installation.
My CD is an old one, not sure even if I have a disc for that!
I tried to install motherboard drivers and the video drivers,
they won't load. I'm going to get a SATA dvd-writer but that
will be another week before it gets here.

At this stage, what do I do?
Wait until I get my new dvd writer?
Or, can I reinstall XP, repair it? clean install it? Would that take me to the point where I can install my mobo drivers and video drivers?

I tried to install the drivers for the mobo and the video and printers after XP was installed, but none of them would load. In the Bios, both HD and cd-rom were listed.

Mike,
Yes, I have another CD-rom, also old, TDK model. This mobo has one IDE slot but lots of SATA slots, so I cannot use too much old stuff.

Thanks.
Wes


Edit:
I have changed drive letters before, many times, and I never got into any problem. Am I write, this problem has nothing to do with my changing the driver letters?

Edit 2:
Is it the old cd-row that is causing the problem? If it is, then my reinstallation of XP would do me no good. In which case I have to wait for the new SATA DVD-burner.

Mike and Chewy,

Thanks, yes, I missed those installation.
My CD is an old one, not sure even if I have a disc for that!
I tried to install motherboard drivers and the video drivers,
they won't load. I'm going to get a SATA dvd-writer but that
will be another week before it gets here.

At this stage, what do I do?
Reinstall XP, repair it? Would that take me to the point where I can install my mobo drivers and video drivers?
Or, do I have to clean install again? (At this stage, I won't hesitate to do it. I just want to do the right thing.)

Mike,
Yes, I have another CD-rom, also old, TDK model. This mobo has one IDE slot but lots of SATA slots, so I cannot use too much old stuff.

Thanks.
Wes

Wes,
You said you were able to load Acronis from your CDRom drive so it should work with the brand new CD that came with your motherboard.
I'm thinking maybe that CDRom drive is faulty. Try the other one.
You can just hook it up for the install of the MB drivers, then take it out when you get the SATA drive.

If that's all you've done, of course you could start all over again, but you should try and figure out what is wrong first. Why won't the chipset drivers load?

I have changed drive letters before, many times, and I never got into any problem. Am I write, this problem has nothing to do with my changing the driver letters?

Changing the drive letter of your CD drive to W
from D should not have anything to do with that problem.

Does it show up in Windows as drive W?

Mike,
Yes, that's what is puzzling. I load Acronis True Image
early because I want to make a backup image just in case.
It is now the only program I have installed - no other programs are insalled.
I can use the Cd-rom with other disc; it loads, etc.
Except it would not load the motherboard disc, the video drivers, and the Canon printer drivers.

Ok, i will replace the cr-rom with another old one. Will post shortly.

Thanks.

Mike,
I re-installed XP, repairing it. Needless to say, I use the cd-rom drive to do that. It works.
When I tried to install the mobo drives, etc., there is nothing on the disc that resemble any drives. It has a list of languages. On the disc itself it lists chipsets, audio driver, network, etc. Nothing is visible to me, so I cannot even install it manually.

I went to Gigabyte's website and download 3 drivers: Audio, LAN and chipset. I tried to install using flash drive. It wants to know where I want to put it. I know it is on c, where where in c?
Anyone can help me there?

I also burn the 3 drivers to a cd, but it won't load with cd.

Thanks for trying to help.

The following still not installed:
Ethernet controller
PCI device
Video Controller

Edit:
I just put the mobo driver disc, the video disc into another compute dvd-drive, and all the software are listed. But nothing is listed on the new computer. I don't know what that means.


(I have MSI driver disc, but it won't not auto load)

Behind every good computer... is a jumble of wires 'n stuff.

Ttech & Mike,

Thanks for helping.

First on MSI disc. That came with the MSI video card.
Strange, tried this many times now, all that I see is one file:
Track00 !! A few times, when I load into the drive, Window Media Player 9 want to play music!!

I have put this same disc in the computer that I am using to type this, it shows all the contents, including setup, etc.

Second, the Mobo disc. The same thing. All the contents shows up on the computer I am using now. But it would not show up on the new one.

From My Computer, or from the drive itself, it shows the same thing: a list of countries, a to z!! I recognize a few, RU for Russian, E for English, Fin for Finland, etc. This is the only thing that shows up.


After I type this I am going to switch to another TDK burner, as you suggested earlier, Mike.

P.S.
From the Flash drive, I was able to install Audio, LAN and Chipset drivers to C drive, but that has done no good. I might not have put it in the right location.

Edit again:
I just removed the cd-rom. I notice that i have 2 different connectors (molex) to connect to the drive. One cable has 2 wires (yellow, black, black, red) and another type of cable has 8 wires, doubling the first one. What is that for?

Edit Again, Again:
I just switch the cd-rom. When I insert a disc in, it rejects and spit the disc out. I tried with both connectors. Same results.

Here is another Edit:
The drive keeps spitting out the Mobo disc. When I insert the Video disc, it does not reject; it shows Autorun - just one file.
I click that; but it says the file structure is corrupt!

Where is the CD that came with the Gigabyte motherboard? Use that to install the motherboard drivers.

Mark099!

Thank you, Mark.
I've the CD and parts of the notion on the disc says:
Gigabyte - 6-Quard/S-series Ultra Durable 2 Motherboards
Intel 3-series
The it lists, among other things: Chipset/Network/Audio drivers, etc.
When I put in the drive of my other PC, I can see its contents;
when i put in the new-built, there is nothing except for one item, listing a series of countries from a to z.
Nothing else shows up.
If I insert in the drive to install, nothing happens. Go to My Computer, see nothing except the one item mentioned.

Similarly, the video disc that came with the card, the same thing happens - there the only entry is one track of music! When I insert that driver-disc in my old computer, all the contents are there, install, setup, etc.

Is there anything in the bios that needs to be enabled or disable. I've read the user manual, line by line, been back into the bios, to no avail.

I've also use device manager and uninstall the drivers for the missing drivers and let it auto detect. Yes, it detects and when I direct it to install the driver from the disc, the answer is - cannot be found!

I've re-install XP, thinking that it be the culprit. It will load xp disc! I've installed Acronis True Image, it loads that! It will install anything I want to install via disc, via the drive. But it would not install drivers discs. I cannot install HP printer driver.
I downloaded Lan, chipset and audio drivers from Gigabytes website and put on flash drive. I will install from there, but it asks me where the destination is. I know it is C, but in C. I am stuck.

I've changed cables. I've switch cd-rom burner. No luck.
I've ordered a new SATA dvd-burner today, and i don't know if that would solve the problem.

I just checked device manager. Here are the items in yellow:
Ethernet controller
pci device
sm bus controller
video controller (vga compatible)
If I try to install a printer driver, it will get listed there in yellow as well.

Do you have a USB flash drive?

You can download the drivers you need from Gigabyte and nVidia on to the flash drive, then transfer to your new computer. I do remember reading about some people getting blank CDs.

http://www.gigabyte.us/Support/Motherboard/Driver_Model.aspx?ClassValue=Motherboard&ProductID=2524&ProductName=GA-P35C-DS3R

http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

Mark099!

Make a new folder and name it Gigabyte Drivers, put the Lan, chipset and audio drivers from Gigabytes website from your USB drive in the folder.
Now select one at a time in device mgr the items you want to install drivers to and guide them to your folder called Gigabyte Drivers.

LilJoe

Mark and Joe

I have downloade from the following 3 items: LAN, Audio and chipset.
(I don't use raid, so I left that one out. I have on flash drive now. I can makea folder and put them in. I already did it twice and the problem is this: it is not automatic; it is strictly manual. It asks me my destination drive. I know it is c:\ but where in C? I have install twice, one in C:\ and one in C:\ProgramFiles\

Location, location, location!! What loation?

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/Driver_Model.aspx?ProductID=2543

I will the same for the video.

It is just asking the destination to extract the file not install the driver.After you extract open the folder and double click the setup.exe and that will install the driver.

I am sorry, Mark, on the nVidia website,
I don't seem to recognize the stuff they offer
I just not sure what to select. Sorry for being retarded here!

Thanks.

Graphics Drivers --> GeForce 8 Series --> Windows XP --> GO!

Hope you know that after that computer is up and running you will owe PCQ&A at least 6 months of WCG crunching.

Mark099!

This is 2:20 a.m. central std. time.

Thanks, Mark, for seeing this through. It is done!!!!!

Special thanks to jbmcmillan - I was looking for the answer which you gave. I almost paralized the computer by instaling those drivers at so many places: C:\ and C:\ProgramFiles\ and finally, C:\Windows ! WinRAR, when it unzipped the file, did not say a location to unzip the file. It says "installation destination". That's confuses me. If it were to say unzipped location or something like that, then I would have understood that. Mcmillan, your explanation enables me to get all the drivers install via flash drive. Once I understood that it was looking for a destination to unzip (NOT to install, even though it says "installation") I created 4 separate folders: Gigabyte LAN, Audio, Chipset, and Video. I unzip each file I downloaded into each of these folders and install each one of them separately. You're Mcmillan, once they are unzipped, the setup files are there and the installation process became automatic. The 2-gb flash was enough to handle all the files.

Thanks again to all of you, Mark, Mike, Ttech, and McMillan!

P.S.
The cd drive is still not working, so I will have to wait for the arrival of a new one and hope that would solve the last problem. Maybe?!!!

Thanks a million guys.

Sorry my suggestion was no help

LilJoe

Joe,
I tried everything. Because I had everything thrown at me, including the proverbial kitchen sink!!
One folder did not work. Once you unzipped the file it spawns into dozens of small files, including setup, etc.

If you unzipped Audio file and Lan file in the same folder, you end up with so many setup's you would not know what to do. They got all mixed up, impossible to separate.

So I usually create many folders, each folder for one file. For example, right now I have 7 folders called, Downloads (1) to (7). Each file goes to each folder, because of that mixed up. Setup, for example, is used by most file. The problem last night was due to WinRAR. It keeps saying, "install" destination. It wasn't install at all. That was my frustration. McMillan understood what I was struggling with and his answer helped - just ignore the word installation; it wasn't installation; it was a folder where you store unzipped file!! Once that problem is solved, then I know I will find setup, etc. (I use WinRAR and its language is not accurate; if I had used Unzip program, it might have been different.)

I appreciate every tip, yours included. Some tips don't pen out, including my own, understandably. I re-installed XP, for example, that was a wasted effort!!

Just want to report back on a couple of items that maybe of interest who are building:

The Video card on this unit is not fully seated. It got in only about 80% or 90%. And, it is not screwed to the case. The reason is that the metal that is bent at 45 degree - which is screwed to the case - prevents the card from full insertion. I've to straighten the mental in order to get 80% in. I don't know whether this is a defect in the video card or in the chasis (I use Cooler Master's Mystique).

When I booted up this morning, there is a long, long beep. It went away, then it returned. Once I'm fully logged in, it is silent. So I'll have to fix that later.

Second, the cd-drive is still not working. I'll for a new one and see if that will solve the problem.

On the positive notes, thanks to Mark for putting this combination together: it is superbly fast. I've a 40gb c drive. With XP and a few other programs loaded I made an Image (Acronis True Image 10)of the initial settings, it took me 1 minute 16 seconds!!! (It used to take me 20 minutes) That give you an idea of its speed and performance!

The video card does get hot. I've a second fan aiming at it. That brought the temperature down from 48 degree C to around 36. I need to put a bigger fan, I think.

Thanks, Michael.
I've a little relax today but tonight back to work with the hammer again! I already used the plier!!

Edit:
BTW, there is an unallocated space of 40GB waiting for SuSE. She would love that. Thanks for the suggestion.

Wes,
there may be better choices than Suse for you Wes, but that can come later.

Mike,
Sometime Grogan helped me with others, they did not work.
SuSE 10 was the only one that work.

Throw out a few ideas and I would give a try. I've two printers, they are not too old, that did not work last time. I want to be sure that they work: Remember, I'm just learning!!!


HP 1012 and (black and white LaserJet) - went to HP website today and they are advertising this unity for about $50 or so!
Canon Pixma MP 780 (copy, print, etc)

HP is best for linux, but others work, don't know about the Canon. I thought I heard something about them not being as cooperative with drivers.

I'm guessing you tried some of these, just off the top of my head.

Comment on Opensuse, nothing really wrong with it, but it seems kind of bloated, a little sluggish on the same hardware (personal observation based on around v 10.1). A lot of People don't like it because of their deal with Microsoft.

PCLinuxOS 2007 (edit, I see you tried that, it's changed a fair amount since then) (what I'm on at the moment, for about 6 months or so), final came out the end of May or beginning of June or so. They are testing new kernels for better hardware support, but it got everything in my brand new system. They are working out other kinks as well, but it's very stable.

Mepis, there is a new version coming out, I'd wait on that one (based on Debian again instead of Ubuntu).

Mint, KDE community edition, new version just out.

Mandriva

Kubuntu

if you're feeling adventurous
Sabayon, 3.4e, harder to install programs, takes longer, but it's a DVD and might include about everything you would want to use already. They are working on making it easier (binary package installer, now it works like Gentoo, because it sort of is...). Right now when a new version comes out it is easiest to get the dvd and it has an upgrade option. I only mention this one because it looks like it gets decent reviews, decent hardware detection, can configure the new graphics right from the live DVD, and I'm going to try it shortly if my DVD gets here.

Thanks, 1One1 for the suggestions.

Yes, I felt that SuSE was bloated but the only one I got to work! That's why I'm looking for ideas from other users and experts!

PCLinuxOS was the other one that worked when I tested on LiveCD, but could not get much else out of it. Now that it has grown up, as you said, that maybe the one to try again. Will have to get the latest version.

Still waiting for the arrival of DVD-burner. Be here by Friday before I can load any cd/dvd. I can start looking for Linux.

Do you install directly onto the HD or do you use virtual drive to test it out? If virtual drive, what is the best and easiest one to use?

Much thanks.

I've never had a problem just using the livecd to check things out first (because they usually boot directly into a working desktop), you can get an idea from that if you are going to have major problems. Minor ones can be fixed after install. If the livecd won't boot, there is usually a way around it. Installing on a virtual drive is your choice, I've never had need to use one myself at all (yet). My prior system didn't have enough ram, I might try it eventually with the new one. As long as you understand the partitioning, where to install grub, etc., and the computer is working ok, you shouldn't have any problems just installing it.

PclinuxOS is a good distro, has a nice control center (same as Mandriva's) as with the other distros, some don't like it. They usually do a lot of testing before they put something out, so the very latest and greatest might take a while to be available, but it's not that bad.

If you want some reading, they have a magazine community project, pdf format. They have been doing a multi part KDE user guide series (with pictures), and this month they cover how to install on an already installed Vista system, not relevant in your situation, but not a bad read. I think this month is something like 70 pages or around that. The past issues might have information you could use, I haven't read that many of them, some of it works with other distros too. Plus they talk about several other things.
http://www.mypclinuxos.com/pclos-magazine/pclinuxos-magazine-august-2007-issue-12-released/

I am not a linux expert, although it's all I use now, I just sort of know my way around, Grogan is welcome to share his opinions on this matter.

I will put my vote in for PCLinux OS as well for you Wes.

You can get the .iso file HERE

Check the .md5sum and burn the image.

When you have booted up to the live CD there will be a link on your desktop to Install to the Hard drive.

You will find that the OS runs quite slow from the live CD. This of course won't happen once you install to the HD.

I see that the HP 1012 laserjet is supported.

There is a lot of reading to do on the PCL website before you start.

I use this distro pretty well all the time. I boot into Windows for my Flight Simulator and a some Photo Printing software I use, but that's about it really.

If you are interested in this distro, I would register on the forum there and just run your new configuration by the experts for any compatability issues. I doubt there are any

I would get my new Windows setup tuned up and stable before doing the dual boot.

Thanks, Mike.

I've just downloaded PCLinux OS and burned it to a cd. But I cannot do much with it yet.

Yes, Mark wanted me to run Memtest for a few days. And if there is no problem, to adjust the ram speed up. I cannot run the test at this time because the cd-rom is not working. I should get my optical drive by the end of the week. I'm in a holding pattern.

I'll read up and collect info on PCLinuxOS.

Thanks again for validating 1One1's initial suggestion earlier today. I'll skip the LiveCD.

Thanks, Mike.

I've just downloaded PCLinux OS and burned it to a cd. But I cannot do much with it yet.

Yes, Mark wanted me to run Memtest for a few days. And if there is no problem, to adjust the ram speed up. I cannot run the test at this time because the cd-rom is not working. I should get my optical drive by the end of the week. I'm in a holding pattern.

I'll read up and collect info on PCLinuxOS.

Thanks again for validating 1One1's initial suggestion earlier today. I'll skip the LiveCD.

Mark,

Thans a million for the help.

I ran the Memtest and found no errors.
I adjusted the ratio to 2.40 and far it runs smooth. I detect no
abnormality of any kind.

Video card is cool; I touch it and feel cool. Funny? I've one extra fan aiming at it.

System temp. seems to settle at 42-45 degree C.
CPU temp is at 38

Again, thanks so much.

Glad to see everything worked out well for you.

Now it's time to put that beast to work with a distributed computing project.

Mark099!