old pc: can't get get n4f working for some reason

[brielem]

I have an old pc without OS, and I'm planning to use it as a n4f machine. However, I can't get n4f working. Everytime I try to start it (I've tried a 64- and 32- bits CD's, and a 32-bit embedded on a flashdrive), I get the next error: (sorry for the flash, if it covers important information, I'll take the pictures again.) the pc stays at this screen for about a half minute, and a second later, this. These screenshots where made when I tried the embedded os on the usb-drive, but the errors with the cd's where the same.
As it promises, after 15 seconds there is a reboot.

When I tried another kernel-based OS on a flashdrive, I got kernel-panic. This was the case when I tried Tails (based on debian)

It's an quite old, custom pc, with a Pentium 4 at 3Ghz, factory speed (according to the BIOS, this supports 64-bit OSes)
I'm not sure what the other specs are, but if they are relevant, I'll look them up.

Can anyone tell me where this error comes from, if it's solvable, and how? Thanks in advance.

[chrisf4lc0n]

The first error is related to the drive on scbus6, just disconnect it...
The second one, I do not know, but try to disconnect the drive causing problem and see if the second error comes up.

[brielem]

Thanks, that's one error less. I knew the optical drive was a bit faulty sometimes, but usually it works. At least it doesn't autoreboot now...
the seccond error still pops up though.

[Lee Sharp]

Boot something with memtest86+ and test your memory. It looks like a kernel crash, and memory is a common cause of that.

[chrisf4lc0n]

You can also try default BIOS settings and if you have got 2 memory sticks try to use just one at the time...

[LA70]

Not sure I can see an error in http://i.snag.gy/4KiIQ.jpg - or am I blind?
Anyhow, what APIC level is set in the BIOS?, try changing it. (disable HT perchance?)

[b0ssman]

i had the same problem when i wanted to try freebsd on my old p4 system.
in the end i just gave up on the p4 system as its not really worth using.

power usage of the p4 precott was insane and in terms of performance its about atom speed.

[brielem]

@Lee Sharp: memtest didn't didn't report any errors.
@chrisf4lc0n: will do
@LA70: I didn't see it either, that's why I posted the whole screen - but n4f (4 °F = -15,6 °C) (4 °F (4 °F = -15,6 °C) = -15,6 °C) doesn't boot, so... there's got to be an error.
@b0ssman: I'm currently using a laptop with an AMD 800 mhz (exact type unknown) processor. THAT's slow. Anyway, isn't your build a bit overkill for a NAS? beautiful setup...

I also tried to boot Gparted, again, error: http://i.snag.gy/viv4E.jpg

[b0ssman]

my build isn't overkill because only the i5 and above have the aes-ni instruction.

the thing to consider on your system is that if you use it as a 24/7 system, the electricity cost is gonna add up quickly.

a cheap celeron 847 board will actually make more sense in that setup.

if you are just gonna turn in on for a few hours a week then its not gonna make much difference.

[armandh]

I just noted you are trying this on an old lap top
so it is possible there may be unsupported stuff

old desktop computers are also a bit tricky to get booting
an old desktop Dell of mine will only boot from the primary IDE [PATA], the floppy, or a NIC ROM chip.
if the CD will not boot on the primary line try a different optical drive
Ive had plenty that were too worn or not fully ATAPI compliant.
be sure the bios is set correctly to the CD, and CD set to master
replace the cable

if all that won't boot it; try loading the N4F embedded to a small Hdd on another computer [this may work with laptops too]
if that drive wont boot, if the drive will boot on another computer, it is the computer [or memory, or power supply]
while N4F will run on most any hardware, and I have yet to find an exception, you may have the rare example.
when I run into boot trouble I try to boot from the same hardware and connection as originally built.

[brielem]

I just noted you are trying this on an old lap top

I tried it on a laptop, yes. Everything is working perfectly fine on that one.

Now I try to intall nas4free on a desktop pc, so I have more hdd-bays etc.
I'll install in on a HDD, to find out if it works like that.

[armandh]

Now I try to intall nas4free on a desktop pc, so I have more hdd-bays etc.
I'll install in on a HDD, to find out if it works like that.

on an old Dell 1600 Mhz P-4 now a "cold stand by"

I had to put the CD on the primary IDE PATA line and the future boot drive on the secondary IDE
I then installed the embedded 32 bit OS to the small Hdd on the secondary IDE.
shut down
I then removed the CD and moved the small Hdd to the primary IDE
it booted
I shut it down and connected 2 drives for the mirror to the secondary IDE
re booted and finished the configuration.

some MOBO have very limited boot options
some have too many
such that most any storage plugged in but not disabled will hang the boot process
if, when I installed the two drives for the mirror, it would no longer boot,
I would have known that a boot flag on a storage drive was the cause.
not connecting all the drives while solving a boot problem provides insight
it can be as simple as wiping the storage drives B4 use [or editing the flags]