MS Server 2008 R2 Install Problem - code 0xc000000e

How To set a USBstick up to use it for Installation of Window Vista / 7 / Server 2008 / 2008 r2

From the commandline start diskpart

diskpart

1. list disk   
2. select disk # <-- Insert the disk number of your Stick as shown by  list disk 
3. clean   
4. create partition primary   
5. select partition #   
6. active  format fs=fat32   
7. assign  exit 

Now copy the complete DVD to the Stick with this command line
Xcopy (DVD-ROM-Driveletter):\*.* /s/e/f (USB-Stick-Driveletter):\

Attention Make shure that you are working with the correct disk!

Tried a windows 2003 disk and it booted up into the installation just fine.

I started over from scratch to create the bootable USB disk and followed your instructions L0n3W0lf.  That didn't seem to result in a bootable disk.  What I had before was at least recognized as bootable but the microsoft bootstrap seemed to be what was complaining with the error above.

Any other suggestions?

Can you test your 2008 DVD on another PC to see if it can Boot.

Yes, did that.  The DVD boots just fine on my other PC.

The machine is built from components.  MSI brand motherboard, Intel P4 processor, 1 GB RAM.  The hardware is 'old' in the sense that it isn't the latest and greatest, but it's new in the sense that it hasn't been run very long.  I have had it running with XP though so I know the hardware is in good working condition.

The DVD drive hasn't ever given me issues.  I'd replace it if I had another one to swap it with, but I don't have spare DVD drives lying around.  And I guess I'd believe it was that DVD drive or the disk if it wasn't for the fact that the installation won't load from the USB drive either.

Guess I'll download Gujin and give that a try...  (why does everything always have to be so complicated...)

The solution to make the Stick worked with my Corsair Flash Voyager, Voyager Mini, a SanDisk Cruzer Micro. I did  every Windows 7 Installation from USBstick, didn't bother to burn a DVD.

Try another Stick, maybe the issues you are experiencing originate from the stick

Gujin worked to the extent of getting me past the non-descript errors; so my guess is that I may have run into the issue with my DVD drive and BIOS not playing well together for booting off the DVD.

However now I've hit a problem at the message below. I checked the specs on my P4; it's a 540J which supposedly supports 64-bit instruction set.  Is it possible that my motherboard can run a processor that has 64-bit capability but that the motherboard doesn't?  Or what might be going on here?

So maybe I'm missing something, but it looks like MS dropped 32-bit hardware support out of 2008 R2 (since I can't find a 32-bit install for it), is that true?

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the 
cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your Windows Installation disc and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings and then click Next."
3. Click "Repair your computer.:
 
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer 
manufacturer for assistance. 
 
File: \windows\system32\boot\winload.exe
Status: 0xc000035a
Info: Attempting to load a 64-bit application, however this CPU is not compatible with 64-bit mode.
 

                                              

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Yes, no 32bit Server 2008 R2 anymore. Seem you have to get new hardware.

The processor says it supports 64-bit.  Is there support for 64-bit that has to be built into the motherboard as well?

I checked the motherboard and upgraded the BIOS to the latest (it's a MSI 865PE Neo3).  Also checked the BIOS settings...
There is a setting for NX but it doesn't seem to matter which way it is set... still couldn't get the install to be happy.  According to Intel the processor is 64-bit, but apparently something on the mainboard is keeping it from being used as 64-bit.  Unless someone has a bright idea, I'll probably end up having to fall back to non-R2 2008 that comes in 32-bit.