Hey all, I'm having some weird trouble putting XP on an old machine. It's a Gateway G6 450, and it's had XP pro on it before. I can reformat the drive, but at an apparently random point in the file copying process, I become unable to copy the file. Again, the specific file is without rhyme or reason; it may happen at 30% completion or at 70%. I've swapped hard drives, tried 2 different CD drives, and 2 different copies of XP. The problem remains the same. The only thing different about the computer from before is that there was some RAM changed/added. This RAM DOES work, as it was installed before I reformatted the hard drive, and the machine worked perfectly. Any input is appreciated.

XP is extremely sensitive to ram issues during instal. The fact that the machine ran with this ram before the format/reinstal does not guarantee the ram is free of defect. I suggest you remove all but one stick of ram (as long as it leaves you with 256mb minimum) and then attempt to instal. You can add the other ram after XP is up and running. Also suggest you get hold of Memtest86 and test each stick of ram for errors. I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.

when i was reading the message i formed the opinion that ram was the problem even before i got to the bit where you mentioned ram, as i have had this kind of problem and ram was the culprit. It will instal fine with only 128mb ram as long as long as it does not have huge shared memory graphics. I have often installed XP with only 128mb ram, its is not too low. I have also tried with 64mb but that was terrible.

K, thanks all. This comp is OLD, so it's only got 128. I hope it's in 2 sticks, not just one. Anyway, I'll give this a try and see how it goes.

you can use the ram you need turn up the volts and turn down the speed or increase the latencys. set the ram manually to correct latencys and give it some extra juice! http://www.warpedsystems.net/ warpedsystems "the need4speed"

How much voltage, and what latencies? How can I find this stuff out? Trial and error?