Hello: INSTALLING WINDOWS XP HOME HAD TO BE STOPPED. This is the most difficult aspect of installing this OS (XP Home Edition). The first installation of this OS was successful. The owner complained about an icon that sits in the tray to alert her on any incoming email. She was dissatisfied about the way the icon was displayed and wanted it to work as it did previously. First, I decided to delete the program and reinstall it, but it still exhibited strange behavior by not using the windows media sound it was assigned to. I decided to go back into the Set Program Access & Defaults to remove it and install a different one in its place. While there, in this critical area of the program, she kept me tuned to her incessant discussion about some subject entirely unrelated to the task at hand. Thus, being distracted caused me to accidentally press an item, and we saw two items instantly disappear from this Add/Remove area. Later it was determined to be Outlook Express and another Icon from the Network. The information provided through Computing.net was unsuccessful in this resolve, and it was decided that the solution would be to format C: and reinstall again. After getting another WPA, the install began and big trouble followed. Windows XP Home halted! With the CD in the tray, this system did not, would not run PERIOD! I did not record that error code, but it is obvious that Microsoft somehow had an ID placed on the HDD to interrupt the installation, notwithstanding the WPA. I told her that a new HDD probably would alleviate this situation. QUESTION: What work-a-round is needed to get beyond this problem? Any suggestions and pointers are welcomed here, and will be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Purdue112

Microsoft does not install anything to or for that matter that could stop a new installation of the operating system. Without the error it would be impossible to tell you a direct fix for the issue that you are having. The only work around to what ever you are trying to do is (fresh install...repair....whatever) is to copy the error codes and then fix them period. IN THE MATTERS OF STYLE, swim with the current; in matters of principle, STAND LIKE A ROCK Visit Computer Vitals For A Pleasant Surprise

While there, in this critical area of the program, she kept me tuned to her incessant discussion about some subject entirely unrelated to the task at hand. Thus, being distracted caused me to accidentally press an item... Follow my advice: I never do any work while a customer is hoovering over my back. The information provided through Computing.net was unsuccessful in this resolve, and it was decided that the solution would be to format C: and reinstall again. Please provide us with the link to the particular thread from which you derived the information. After getting another WPA, the install began and big trouble followed. Windows XP Home halted! With the CD in the tray, this system did not, would not run PERIOD! Why were you tryig to circumvent the WPA? Is the XP CD legit? i_XpUser

""While there, in this critical area of the program, she kept me tuned to her incessant discussion about some subject entirely unrelated to the task at hand. Thus, being distracted caused me to accidentally"" I can tell you that I'm pretty much accidently distracted, right now.