Windows XP Pro Installation problem.
My laptop computer was locking up sometimes so I decided I would up grade to XP PRO since I didn’t have my Win 2000 disk to update it. I added memory to make it 512. Now I have a bigger problem. I reformatted the hard drive using Windows XP but when it goes to copying the files the computer locks/hangs on files being copied. I keep cutting it off and starting it over again but that doesn’t help. It still locks/hangs. So I waited to see if I wasn’t giving it enough time to finish and 2 hrs later it was still in the same place. I have tried formatting using NTFS and Fat 32. The problem is the same.
Any one has any suggestions?

My first inclination would be to remove the Ram that was added and then try to install again.

If same thing happens take that Ram out and try the other one by itself.

If you are successful, once you get into windows and reboot again and add the other Ram back in.

If the problem persists again, you may have incompatible Ram.

BTW only use your power adapter to install and make sure battery is out first.

Good Luck

I took out the new two 256 memory and put the old 128 back in. I am installing from the power source and the battery is out. The computer has the same problem during installation.

I don't know if it makes any different but this is Win XP Pro with SP2

Ok, it is installing now. I put the old 128 in and it would not format to NTFS. So, I tried Fat 32. It is working.

The memory chip I have in say 128 mb, PC100 SDR SODIMMs. The two I bought say 256 MB PC100 SDR SODIMME and the other is 256 MB PC100 SDR SODIMMH. I can see that the H stick is slightly bigger than the E stick. The sales person told me that the last number doesn’t make a different. Did I get incompatible memory sticks or bad memory sticks? Does the last letter matter? When I get some different memory how can I tell if the memory is good or compactable with my computer? The 256 I had just bought did show as memory in the computer.

I went to pny.com site, since they were the makers of the two memory sticks I purchased, and according to their site for my computer the part number is correct. Something is wrong somewhere.

Ok, it is installing now. I put the old 128 in and it would not format to NTFS. So, I tried Fat 32. It is working.

The memory chip I have in say 128 mb, PC100 SDR SODIMMs. The two I bought say 256 MB PC100 SDR SODIMME and the other is 256 MB PC100 SDR SODIMMH. I can see that the H stick is slightly bigger than the E stick. The sales person told me that the last number doesn’t make a different. Did I get incompatible memory sticks or bad memory sticks? Does the last letter matter? When I get some different memory how can I tell if the memory is good or compactable with my computer? The 256 I had just bought did show as memory in the computer.

I went to pny.com site, since they were the makers of the two memory sticks I purchased, and according to their site for my computer the part number is correct. Something is wrong somewhere.

doesn't mean that the ram was bad. Just that there was a problem installing with too many pieces of hardware. XP/XPpro are notorious for having issues in installation because of too much hardware installed. Also if there is not a clean format then installation will hang also. Which is what i think was your problem all along. When you changed the format then it installed because it quit reading remnant files that were left hanging during the format of the NTFS.

IN THE MATTERS OF STYLE,
swim with the current;
in matters of principle,
STAND LIKE A ROCK

If all else fails, call Dell in Deli, if you can comprehend what the heck their saying. No really, I've called them for a few problems, they've been a good bit of help, well, certain people have been. blah

Hi lurkswithin,
I did try to format with Fat 32 in the beginning with the new memory chips but it did not work.
All of the instillation attempts were clean installations attempts. Before initially trying to install XP I took out all hardware that did not need to be connected. i.e. external co writer, mouse, Ethernet card, etc.

My computer is now stalling on installing Norton antivirus and it froze/locked up on installing Zone Alarm. Could I have a hard drive problem?