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I've just finished setting a new PC:
Processor: AMD ATHLON XP2800+ 333MHZ
Memory: Kingston 512MB DDR400 PC3200
Mainboard: PcChips M848ALU SKT A
HDD: 30GB
Video Card: XFX Geforce Fx5200 AGP8xChanged Bios to boot from CD and have tried to install win XP Pro, but when the blue screen comes showing 'windows setup' before format process , computers stops and no movement of HDD or CD ROM.
I have tried to install Win 2000 Pro, I did not get any problems, and also managed to format HDD and install the whole OS Win 2k from start to finish.
I tried formating my HDD using Win2k disk and istall Win Xp again, but with no vain. I have checked my original disc (win XP Pro) with another PC and it works fine.
Can anyone please help me with this problem, any help appreciated, thanks in advance.
Salman.
Salman
I've talked my 14 year old son through reinstalling XP etc onto his computer over the phone. It's my experience that for some obscure and inconsistent reason, even modern CD & DVD drives can randomly refuse to read data froma disk, where another PC will read it fine. I know there doesn't seem to be any logic but for a quick fix I would install the CD unit from your good machine into the one you're having problems with and try that.
Alternatively, I've also sorted annoying and illogical problems on many machines by just unplugging all SATA, IDE cables etc and replugging everything else back into their connections again.
Computers are supposed to run on basic logic but it's not always the case.
"Don't eat yellow snow"
Martin
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MartinUK,
thanks for your advise, but I've tried different OS disks such as Win2k and they have installed, this comfirms that there is no problem with my CD ROM drive or any other device.
Salman
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when that happens try using a custom xp
install disk.
use the image to create the bootup disk.
xpboot.exe image file download site
after making the floppy ,bootup with it in a:
change to the cd-rom drive letter (R: was used last time i checked but may be different)
at r: type cd\i386 press enter,
then at r:i386 tupe winnt.exe and press enter windows should now install.
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You say that can install 2000. If you have 2000 installed and have reset the bios back to the normal operating boot sequence, have you tried just inserting the XP CD to see if the installation will start? If the installation starts, you can then select to do a clean installation of XP.
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Capt,
I've tried your advise before by inserted XP CD and start clean installation. Although the setup files are copyied, PC restarts to continue installation, but when blue screen comes up with 'windows setup', it stops again and nothing happens there after.
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Occasionally XP doesn't like a particular memory stick. Try removing one stick at a time and install. If it loads reinstall the stick it didn't like and see what happens.
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I've had this happen to me twice on two different machines that were "built". Know what I did to get it to work? I went in the BIOS and configured my FSB, CPU settings, and all that jazz. Trying setting your clock speed way low. Also, trying setting your presets (in the BIOS) to someting like Optimal.
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I am assuming you have done the usual checks for cables being fully pushed in and correctly installed.
Also that the hard drive jumpering is all correct.
Assuming this to be the case:First try updating to the latest BIOS.
Second check your BIOS settings for any unusual settings. You could try using the built-in default settings provided in the BIOS.
Third try a different HAL
Some PCs require a different HAL to be selected when installing XP. This is something to do with ACPI.
Try selecting a different HAL. This is normally done by pressing F5 during the install phase and selecting the appropriate HAL. Sometimes the HAL automatically selected does not work.This problem is not uncommon. If you search computing.net for HAL, you will see what I mean.
Also A google search for HAL + XP will give you more on the subject. Here is some information on it from Microsoft.
___________________________________________
☺ When everything else fails, read the instructions.
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Salmon said:
but I've tried different OS disks such as Win2k and they have installed, this comfirms that there is no problem with my CD ROM drive or any other device.I know this may sound really weird, but try a different cd drive like martinuk777 says. I had a simular problem where XP sp1 would install just fine on my machine but when I did a slip disk of SP2 into XP and tried to clean install it would get to about 10% then mess up. It would say "can't copy file". Also that same disk(sp2) would install on an old machine I have for test purposes, so I know it was not the XP SP2 disk. I worked on it for a couple of days before I figured out it was the cd drive, because like you I thought if the drive would install another operating system there could not be anything wrong with it. I opened the case and got out an old cd rom drive from storage, set it on a box besides the computer and hooked up the wires and it worked perfectly.
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"... but I've tried different OS disks such as Win2k and they have installed, this comfirms that there is no problem with my CD ROM drive or any other device"
That is not not always true. I think it's a good idea to swap cd rom drives and try again.
*** The best advise I can give you, however, is: don't ask for help just to discount an idea or suggestion someone has without trying it first. When you're running out of logical solutions, it's time for the "not-so-logical" ones.
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Martinuk777 gave some sound advice. I have a CD-rom drive that will read my Win 98 disk, my Win ME disk, my Win 2000 disk, but always has a problem with the Win XP disk. Luckily I have other drives that I can use on those rare occassions that I have to re-install XP.
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I hade the same problem on an older machine! It was the cd rom drive, even thought it was a new cd burner it still 'hung' and refused to work. It needed to use an older cd reader for the install, then switched the new drive back in and it worked fine :-)
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