Well it turns out my Vista installation is pooched. I can’t even properly install Office 2007, let alone the Catalyst drivers correctly. After numerous attempts to fix it I have resided in the simple fact that it must be due to faulty hardware.
I have tested the memory, with Windows Memory Diagnostics - running in Extended Test mode - for more then 8 consecutive hours, without a single hitch. So no faulty memory. I have checked the DVD-ROM using CRC and compared the outcome with the one provided by Microsoft - perfect match. So no faulty DVD-drive nor installation medium.
Which basically leaves the following options:
- hard-drive
- cabling
- motherboard
- CPU
I am going to tests the hard-drive this weekend with the Maxblast CD I have at work - to make sure that’s not the issue. In addition to that I will unplug the 2nd hard-drive and completely wipe (by writing 0’s) the primary hard-disk. That should rule out the hard-disk and cabling.
Lastly, I have ordered a few new hardwarecomponents, as I was planning to upgrade soon anyway:
- ASUS P5PE-VM
- Intel Pentium D 820 (2,8 GHz, 2 MB)
- Spire CoolWave III, CPU Cooler
- Apacer Handy Steno HT203, 512 MB
Now you might wonder what the USB-Stick is for: well simple. Windows Vista supports ReadyBoost, which allows you to use external storage (such as an USB-Stick) for storing DLL’s instead of swapping them to the pagefile/disk. This decreases the load on your RAM, while maintaining fast(er) response then by paging it. Pretty nifty 
On a more personal note, I recently started my CCNA-study and I must admit that I will have some hard studying to do indeed. But I know I can do it 
Well, I have to run… catch you all laters!
