When I undid the RAID and went back in to create the RAID again.. its showing green.I think I have the number Srl of the HD that was faulty. Or I just try to RMA both of them.Right now, I am doing non RAID, Regular windows install. Lets see.I suspect my memory is also not setup properly..during post I see something PC2 5300 Single channelThis is my memory CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail

"I suspect my memory is also not setup properly..during post I see something PC2 5300 Single channel"Did you install your Dimm's onto the two orange slots?? Slot A1 and Slot B1 per section 2-4(System Memory) of your manuel??...Specifically section 2.4.2

OK.. that explains that... I have it on A1 and A2. But its still 5300.:(MannyBTW... I tried installing XP (from DELL) and while it was formating.. ITt was stuck at 2% for over 1/2an hr... I tried it a couple of times.So Now I am going to back to RAID 0 and trying to install Vista.BTW... I don't understand why Vista does not format HD while XP has to format it.Manny

"OK.. that explains that... I have it on A1 and A2. But its still 5300."Once you get your dimms changed to the orange slots....Go get a program called Cpuz...It will read your system info...Version 1.36...DL link is in upper left hand corner of page...http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.phpI'm not sure what your seeing that's claiming 5300??..Having the RAM in those slots may be effecting that also...Shunting it to run at 5300??"BTW... I tried installing XP (from DELL) and while it was formating.. ITt was stuck at 2% for over 1/2an hr... I tried it a couple of times."Formatting a 250gb hd will take a while...That's why I create partitions...A 10gb partition will take allot less time..."BTW... I don't understand why Vista does not format HD while XP has to format it."Well...I don't know...That doesn't sound right...You should HAVE to install vista on a formated drive...I wonder if that is where your running into problems??I have not tried vista yet...Everything I've read..recommends that you have a drive or partition formatted for the Vista Beta instillation...I'm starting to guess that may your disk failure?? Vista..Being Beta...May just be Dumb enough not to know that the drive isn't formatted to a ntfs file system structure?? I don't know...All I know is...I would have a formatted partition in place to install vista on too...A Link...My Man...The Elder Geek...He's cool:http://www.theeldergeekvista.com/vista_00018.htmLots-O-Luck...

Chuck.. I partitioned 10Gigs for the Windows XP and isntalled XP... But now, how do I go and format the other 230Gig and that second HD 250Gig. How do I make that into drive D: and E: respectively? D:, I could install FSX for instance.BTW.. here is that CPU_Z tool that I ran on my PC.

I do all my partitioning during windows set-up...I don't personally know any other way...Creating partitions....http://www.theeldergeek.com/hard_drives_03.htmHow to do a clean install of windowsXP:http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_install_-_graphic.htmhttp://www.windowsreinstall.com/Dual Boot:http://www.theeldergeek.com/dual_and_multibooting_xp.htmA good resource..The Elder Geek:http://www.theeldergeek.com/You can also set up your Raid0 array...Once it's established...Partition it just like you see in the above Elder Geek Method...I talked about this stuff in the Raid thread too...If you wanna go back and read through that thread??There are partitioning programs like partition majic which will create partitions after the OS is installed...I've never used them...I see some folks really like them?? I've never had the need...I've always just done it during windows set-up...

MannyOnce XP is installed you can go into Administrative tools/Computer Management/Disk Management. There you can right click into the remaining space and divide up the the disk, name the partitons and format them as you wish.To get Administrative tools to show in the start window click Start then right click in the window to get properties, customize then the advanced tab. Scroll to the bottom of the list and you can select System Administrative tools.

Thanks Chuck.... Great sites. Saving it.I am formating the other areas as we speak.... By the end of this month I would have done all permutations and combinations. :(I have already done 2 Wix XP install and 2 Vista install. Raid 0 and non Raid.I ran your utlitiy from WD... it took a whole for 1 disk.. I ran it on the disk I thought failed.. and it came out ok.. it asked me if I wanted to repair a few sectors and it did and that was it. I'll the same on the other disk tonight. I have 30 days for this OEM HD ...so I might return the one I think gave me an error. In the mean time, I might try to setup a RAID 0 in Win XP and do that once.Here is my screenshot of that CPU_Zhttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/157118.jpgManny

Howard,Thx..that did it,.. running a format on the rest of the spaces.Manny

"it asked me if I wanted to repair a few sectors and it did and that was it. I'll the same on the other disk tonight. I have 30 days for this OEM HD ...so I might return the one I think gave me an error."Yeah...I'd return that drive...Sorry...But it shouldn't have had to "Repair" anything...You mentioned 30 days?? I thought these drives had a 5 year warranty?? Oh well...Yeah..Your going through the whole gammit...Are you learning anything?? Is it Fun?? or a hassle??OK..According to your Cpuz screen shot...Looks like you swapped the RAM to the orange slots?? It's running Dual Channel now..Right?? Kewl...It still looks like it's still running as 5300 though...OK...I wouldn't worry too much about that right now....There will be an explination somewhere...I'd put that low on the priority list for now though...You can check the Corsair forums...and AnandTech...Some sites like that to see if others are having that issue...There may be an updated mb bois or something?? I'm not sure..But It will be fine for the time being...Some Good Sites...Corsair Forums:http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=129Search these for your mb:http://forums.anandtech.com/default.aspx?NoCookies=Yeshttp://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/community/forums/

Am I learning? Are you kidding me? Each time I have a problem.. its a hassle.. but since there is no FSX in my hands, I have the patience. Oh yeah.. Now, I see how I can partition to keep everything clean and simple.:)Today I'll try to call newegg to see if I can RMA that disk. I should hold on to that memory for a while. That was retail, so I may have more time to RMA if I have to.In the user comments section for that memoryhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/CustRatingRe...N82E16820145590I saw these..------------------------------------------- It's Corsair - Need I say more?Pros: My BIOS defaulted to 533 and 5-5-5-18, but it was a quick and easy manual fix to make it run as advertised. If you want an overclocking champ, shell out the extra dough and get one of the low latency versions. If you want an absolutely rock-stable system, get this and run it at its intended settings.Cons: None that I have found.Other Thoughts: Don't let a few bad experiences sway your decision. Look at the reputation of Corsair and the overwhelming amount of positive reviews both here on the Egg and elsewhere on the web, and make your own decision. Personally, Corsair has always been worth the investment for me.Reviewed By: Skippy, 9/11/2006 3:29:36 PM--------------------------------------------For EMAN & EVANPros: You idiots. Those are not the memorys problems, thats your MOBO being picky with what timings the RAM is at because your MOBOs are probably junk. Dont blame the RAM.Cons: N/AOther Thoughts: N/AReviewed By: Frank, 9/7/2006 12:56:24 PM---------------------------------------------Pros: This is the best value for ram you can get for your new Core 2 Duo system. This ram is default rated at 1.8v at DDR 800 with Cas 5. However, it is warranted up to 2.1 volts, and at that much power, you can easy drop the Latencies to 4-4-4-10 (if your bios allows this) and save yourself some major bucks. Also, the ram comfortably overclocks at CAS 5 up to about DDR 950. Great ram for trying to get that ellusive 400fsb with a conroe.Cons: Doesn't have the pretty blinking lights? Although this small sacrifice will save you about 60 bucks.Other Thoughts: Core 2 chips do not rely on memory timings near as much as the AMD chips do (read the articles). For the extra $200 you will spend on Cas 3, you'd be better off buying the next upgrade processor (ex: e6600 to e6700). Do yourself a favor, get this Cas 5 ram, save some money, and either drop the latencies and run it at DDR 800, or just overclock it to DDR 950.---------------------------------------------Manny

>Yeah..Your going through the whole gammit...Are you learning>anything?? Is it Fun?? or a hassle??>I don't know about Manny, but it has certainly discouraged me. I had an over simplistic idea about how easy it was to assemble a new computer from parts. It sounds like the motherboard (and other parts)did not come with anywhere NEAR detailed enough instructions for a novice builder. Plus, there appears to be a lot of hard work to do in getting it to work properly after building. This has certainly been an interesting and informative thread...I appreciate the "step-by-step" that has been written here. If anyone decides to build their own, it will be very helpful. It is almost like watching a soap opera....can't wait to see what Manny runs into next! Am interestingly awaiting that final episode when FSX is up and running and we get to find out how FSX runs! Keep posting, Manny...I'm sure I'm not the only one rooting for you!

I know it sounds so discouraging... But thats only cause I keep asking every little Q. Some of it is due to making silly mistakes like not plugging the cooler power right? or putting the Memory in the wrong slot.I have not really run into any major issues... really. Since I didn't even know the basics of partitioning or even installing an OS. It sounds a little difficult. And also, I was switiching back and forth between Vista and Win XP and then RAID 0 vs no RAID 0.The thing about attaching the cooler. I would have had no problem if I had used the stock cooler that came with the chip. Here I went for a custom cooler that was huge (This is for my later Overclocking. I am going to be overclocking this sucker.). An off the shelf DELL would have come with a stock cooler.That thing about the memory.. Its really a non issue. The only reason I am interested in it..because.. as my next Over Clocking stage, . I want to run this 2.4Ghz to run at 3.5Gig :( I'd start that OC phase after I get to run this as is for a while. The OC Phase would be Soap Opera Season 2. :) If I had built basic installation. I would have had regular (non RAID 0), Win XP , no partioning... and If were a little careful and had done my due dilgence, then I wouldn't have had these problems. Mind you.. Knowing that I have nothing of importance in the HD, gives me the confidence to hoze this thing and start over an new OS Installation. That is priceless. :)Or I could have taken all these parts and gone to Fry's. They would have put this thing together for $150. I wouldn't have learnt anything... and next time I have an Issue... I would have had to live with whatever deficieny.I am finding logicial explanation for each of the issues I am facing.. and each time.. its solved.. its a nugget of knowledge. I feel so empowered now.BTW.. That Lian Li case I have is absoltely fantasic. It came with hardly any instruction. But Its a marvel, how nice and neat its built.But those websites mentioned here are a must read to get the big picture and the details. And thanks for the encouragement. Doing this certainly beats waiting for the FSX. :)And if you guys ever do this..Trust me.. I'd be here to try to help y'all the way Chuck has been helpful to me.Edited to add: I need to transfer the sound card from my other PC into this one. Thats yet to me done. Sorry.. So not 100% complete. I may have a sound issue.Manny

CURRENT STATUS:Right now, I have Win XP insalled and everything is formated and FSX Demo running. Wireless network is also running so there is the internet connection.. And I can close this project out as finished.But Heck no.... Just cause I have a HD in it that gave me a little grief, I am going to pull it out and ship it to newegg and get another one. Just as a precaution. And go through this install all over again, but this time..I am going to do a RAID 0 in Win XP. :)Edited to add: I also need to transfer the sound card from my other PC into this one. But the default Sound from the MB is A-OK.

>And if you guys ever do this..Trust me.. I'd be here to try to>help y'all the way Chuck has been helpful to me.>heheh....OK, if I decide to do it, I'll need your home phone number!JKOne of the things that was intriguing to me is that you seem to have a similar attidude as mine....once you start you can't quit. Whenever I start some project like that, I can't sleep until its finished. One of the reasons a homebuilt aircraft is out of the question for me!I enjoyed "tuning in" every few hours to see how you were coming. I agree you were lucky to have Chuck. I have a son like that, very computer literate. I can't tell you how many times I've called him at work to ask some computer question because I just couldn't wait til that evening...and he has always very patiently walked me thru to the solution. I remember once, after about a 1/2 hour session, he said: "Well Dad, I better go...I'm in a meeting." I was mortified!Anyway Manny, congratulations...I know you are proud of your new 20lb. baby! Way to go.