Ugh! I'm just not getting this, dude. I ran the install:
-from a USB drive,
-with 1 stick of RAM in,
-without the RAID card,
-with optimal BIOS settings
-with the chassis' external eSATA drive cable unplugged from the mobo
The install borked at the same place as last time. I tried the onboard video and the PC wouldn't boot.
This is my first time building a PC, so I wonder if I missed something with the assembly? I work for a hosting company and routinely plan out server builds for clients; so I know what components are needed, just have never plugged all the pieces together. Maybe I missed a jumper somewhere or didn't install some driver or something before running the Windows install.
This was like my 8th install attempt with different settings and they all stop here. I've googled Windows7 AND my motherboard model # together, but haven't really found much on people having issues with the components I'm using. Does anyone have anything else to try here?