Apparent data corruption on new pc

[aeroluke]

I'm having a problem with one of the two computers I've just built so i was wondering if anyone here had any ideas.

I seem to be having problems with corruption when transferring data from the dvd drive. For example, installing windows took a few tries and Ubuntu installation crashes with file errors. Once I finally got XP installed I get random errors when installing stuff (i.e. installation programmes report failed CRC checks on the data or it installs okay after a few tries but then the programme crashes)

If I boot the hard disk with XP (once it was finally installed) it seems to be steady with no lockups, restarts or blue screens, so I don't think it is the processor or the RAM.

During diagnosis I've swapped: the hard disk, the SATA cable, the DVD drive, the IDE cable and i've plugged the hard drive into a different SATA port and the DVD drives into different IDE ports with no change.

The only thing I can think of is that the bit on the motherboard that deals with transferring data between the IDE and SATA interfaces is broken. I can run Ubuntu live-cd fine and boot into windows fine. Additionally I can copy data from a USB stick fine (on the one thing i tried).

Any ideas ?! Thanks in advance!

[aldi]

Personaly I'd check the RAM, preferably by swapping it between the two machines or failing that by using memtest86.

[Plotloss]

Memory or maybe power is where I would start.

[greenlandy]

As it's all brand new I'd run a a few soak tests on it. Starting with the ram.

[bez_uk]

If anyone sorts this let me know... I had computer over in canada worked fine apart from games... got is shipped back and since then I've had same errors. Got new sound and graphics (for fun), Also got new HD and RAM neither fixed the problem. I had it mainly with downloaded programs eg having to use bittorrent to download itunes for example so that it could hash check the file a million times before it would not fail CRC thingy.

[aeroluke]

Ran memtest86 - no errors. Didn't really expect any as it seems to run Ubuntu LiveCD and XP off the hard disk fine. Seems to just be in transferring data from IDE to SATA where the errors occur.

I'm going to run an MD5 sum on some data on a CD then copy it to the hard disk and see if it has the same checksum.

[aeroluke]

Update.... file on CD... 635mb run a MD5 check.... comes up with same checksum every time.... copy file to the Desktop - different checksum - delete one on Desktop, copy again - yet another different checksum.

[fuzzymonkey]

Sounds like a problem with your cables. Try with a new hard disk and cd cable.

[aeroluke]

Yeah, as i put in my original post i've tried different drives and different cables, makes no difference! Going to send the motherboard back i think, must be a problem on it somewhere.

[thepassenger]

aeroluke said:

Yeah, as i put in my original post i've tried different drives and different cables, makes no difference! Going to send the motherboard back i think, must be a problem on it somewhere.

It does sound like an issue with the controler for either the SATA or DVD drive(s), especially as installing XP gave errors but booting XP doesn't.

[bez_uk]

With mine I could load 'Proper' CDs fine ie windows. Wouldn't give error messages but after a fresh windows install some parts didnt work eg .net framework had CRC errors all over it. The original HD was IDE replaced with SATA + the new SATA Cables. Still no difference. I hope it is the motherboard that's the issue... will mean mine probably has same problem!

[aeroluke]

Well I'll send yet another return request to ebuyer and let you know what happens!

[greenlandy]

I hate to ask but did you get the RAM from ebuyer? If so be warned I've sent many a duff stick back! It does sound like you have an issue going from IDE to SATA have you tried latest drivers and bios flash?