If some of you read my away post that I added to the forum last weekend, you might know that I had a problem with my computer at the time. I still do.

Here's a short but detailed story:
In order to run some of the newer computer games that are currently on the market (GTA IV and Sims 3 most notably) I decided to upgrade my computer. I bought a new motherboard, a new video-card and some other stuff. Basically, the only things I did not replace were the hard drive, the case and the power supply thing (I'm not geeky enough to know all the technical jargon). The computer worked fine, except I had no connection to the internet.

I got two of my friends to check it out, both are geeky in the ways of the computer so I figured they could solve my problem. One didn't know what was wrong, the other suggested I would make a copy of all the stuff I wanted to keep off my hard-drive and reinstalled Windows.

That brings me up to my current problem. I have cleaned my hard-drive and for the last week and a half I've been trying to install Windows XP but all it does is clean out the computer, copy some files and start all over again. I have tried removing the disc but all that does is start a hellish cycle of restarting the system.

So, in desperation of getting my computer to work again, I turned to Windows Vista (like I said, desperate), but it's not going so well either. This copy of vista is purely legal, mind you. After I have entered the product key, vista wants to install some drivers, but it doesn't find any. I try putting the install discs for my new hardware into the machine but still nothing is found (if it matters, I have to remove the vista disc before I put the drivers into the CD/DVDROM).

The message I get is "No device drivers were found. Make sure that the installation media contains the correct drivers, and then click OK." I know the installation discs work because 1) they came with the hardware and 2) I used them to install the drivers before the computer cleanout.

I want to get my computer up and running, but with 12 hours shifts it is hard to get any descent help at a descent time. So, I naturally assume that I can find someone at the Inn who has hidden knowledge about the interior of a computer and that said person is willing to give me some assistance.

If any of you have any idea what I might be doing wrong and what I can do to fix it, I would really appreciate the assistance if you are willing to give it.

Call Microsoft for sure.

Might work, but Microsoft doesn't have an official office here in Iceland that I know of and phoning out would be both expensive and confusing. My English may not be crapish but I don't speak Geek very well.

I did talk to the store that sold me the new hardware and their advice didn't help much. I did what they suggested and the problem persists.

Microsoft will not help you. You'll spend hours on the phone for nothing.

I have never done a clean Vista install, but have done MANY installs/reinstalls of XP. Personally, I'd go that route, myself.

Check your BIOS settings to see what you have configured as your boot order. It SHOULD be Cd drive, then hard drive. Once the CD files load from XP, the reboot should allow you to remove the disk and let setup continue from the hard drive.

I've got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that I will not be needing any more of your help, although I appreciate what help I have recieved

The good news is that I am currently using my own computer

A friend of mine came by with another instalation disc for WinXP with SP2, which apparently is what was needed. So my computer is up and working (need to install some stuff though) and I should be able to start posting semi-full time on coming Monday. Hurray for technology

Again, thanks for your help guys.

How is not needing our help bad news? Congrats on the fix!

By fixing it myself (or not entirely, or at all, really...) I have denied you your just satisfactory feeling you get when you have successfully helped someone with a problem said someone finds very important. And that is bad

Olan doesnt need any more glory, look at this site he has! =P