I just got a new computer and I put in a Windows XP Pro CD but it didn't install correctly. I think I need to reformat and try another copy, however I can't start anything up. I have boot from CD-ROM as my first option but when I stick in the XP cd it doesn't boot to the setup. The computer begins to start up, the Windows XP Pro loading screen comes up and then I get this message: Problem dectected. Windows shut down to prevent damage. Disable or uninstall any anti-virus, disk defragmentation or backup utilities. Check your hard drive configuration and check for any updated drivers. Run CHKDSK /F to check for hard drive corruption and then restart your computer. Technical information: STOP: 0x00000024(0x001901FD, 0x81F18270, 0xC0000032, 0x00000000) I only tried to install XP, I don't have any anti-virus programs or anything running yet. Is there a way I can reformat? Does DOS even exist if nothing installed? The original install went well, 2 files were missing, but they said they were not windows logo or whatever. It was on completing the install with 7 mins left and I went to the bathroom. When I got back that message was there. I restarted and it is still there. I've tried starting in safemode as well, I get the same error. Also, incase I didn't mention this, I don't have a floppy drive. I only have one CD-RW drive. Can I burn the 98 disc I was reading about that will wipe drive from a disc? But I don't think that disc is booting... Any help is appreciated! Thanks.

DOS doesn't exist, and if you can't boot from the cd you need to d/load the 6 Xp startup floppies from Microsoft.com, and use those for the initial boot process. Once at the Xp setup screen you can perform a repair of your current install, reformat, or reinstall. I'd hazard a guess at there being a piece of your h/ware that Xp doesn't like and that's why it's giving you trouble. Try removing all unnecessary h/ware such as network cards, modem, sound cards, remove a stick of RAM if you have two, also remove any unnecessary drives then try reinstalling.

I don't have a floppy drive :-/ I think I'm going to see if it will boot up from a 2000 disc, which is scratched, but I think it will still reformat. If that doesn't work, I'll try to remove some hardware. Thanks for the suggestion.

Okay, So I was able to run the old 2000 disc and reformat, now I've stuck in the XP disc and it crashed 2 mins before finalizing the install. Now I have a new error. UNMOUNTALBE_BOOT_VOLUME does this mean I just need a new XP disc?

U need to insert ur bootable cd n repair ur OS by pressing the "R" option which uses the recovery console to fix any corrupted or missing system files from the OS. This should solve ur problem.