problem: when trying to install Windows 7 Beta, (via DVD loaded through WinXP) i receive the error message "Windows encountered an internal error while initializing COM" background: received a blue screen of death after trying to repartition my XP hd only to reboot to windows XP not functioning properly (unable to drag icons, copy/paste, or view taskbar (systray was fine)). thought i would reinstall XP or try out beta of Windows 7 but can't seem to install.

Boot to the XP CD and run a Repair. If you want to install 7, create a separate partition for it using a Partitioning software. "So won’t you give this man his wings What a shame To have to beg you to see We’re not all the same What a shame" - Shinedown

i had created a partition for Windows 7 and hoped the installation software would prompt me to choose a partition when installing it. in booting from the WinXP cd, and selecting Repair i receive the following error message: Setup did not find any hard disk drives in your computer

Is the HDD SATA? If so, you'll need to download the SATA drivers, reboot to the XP CD again, and install the drivers after being prompted for and pressing F6. "So won’t you give this man his wings What a shame To have to beg you to see We’re not all the same What a shame" - Shinedown

Yes, my HDD is SATA, but i don't have a floppy disk drive so i had to slipstream my win xp setup cd (side note: a useful instruction was available at: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Inst... i'm still not sure why i had problems to begin with, but at least i have a somewhat working version of XP now. now all i need to do is track down the rest of my driver drivers. thanks for your help!