reinstalled XP but can't get through the setup prompts

[RWM]

I reformatted the drive on a machine, and reinstalled XP, but now when
I boot it up it gives me those setup windows screens asking for time
zones etc.

When I get to the one that says give this computer a name it just
hangs up. I hit the next button or the skip button and it just hangs
and I power off after 15 or 20 minutes by holding in the power
button. I am using the reinstall disk that came with the computer
when I bought it.

Any way to get past these things?

 

[Ron Badour]

I want to be clear on your problem. Are you saying that you successfully
installed XP and now those screens are appearing at boot or did XP not fully
install because you cannot get past the screens?

Also, it has been so long since I have had to install XP that I do not
recall exactly when in the setup process those screens appear. Has hardware
detection taken place yet when the hang occurs?

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP
Windows Desktop Experience

 

[Daave]

I reformatted the drive on a machine, and reinstalled XP, but now when
I boot it up it gives me those setup windows screens asking for time
zones etc.

When I get to the one that says give this computer a name it just
hangs up. I hit the next button or the skip button and it just hangs
and I power off after 15 or 20 minutes by holding in the power
button. I am using the reinstall disk that came with the computer
when I bought it.

Any way to get past these things?

Look at this guide:

http://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/installxpcdoldhdd/indexfullpage.htm

Towards the end of Part 3, there is a screen that appears following the
reboot. It says, "Press any key to boot from CD."

It's important that you *don't* do this! You need to boot from your hard
drive at this stage.

 

[RWM]

I believe it has fully installed. Hardware detection has not happened
yet. The very first time you boot into windows you get a prompt that
asks for language, then time zone, then name your computer which you
can either skip or enter a name. I have tried both skip and next. I
get an hour glass for about 5 seconds and then nothing.

 

[RWM]

Daave, I reinstalled formt he recovery disk that came with the
computer so the prompts are somewhat different than the link you
provided.

But I have removed the DVD from the drive and am definitely not
booting from the disk.

 

[Daave]

Daave, I reinstalled formt he recovery disk that came with the
computer so the prompts are somewhat different than the link you
provided.

But I have removed the DVD from the drive and am definitely not
booting from the disk.

What kind of DVD are you using? What is the make and model of your PC?

 

[RWM]

It is an Emachine, about 4 years old, maybe 5. It is the Recovery
disk that comes with it. I know that once I get in I will have to
redownload Service Pack 2.

 

[Ron Badour]

If hardware detection has not occurred yet, then the installation is not
complete. I cannot recall ever hearing about installation stalling out at
the computer naming point so I don't have a specific fix to recommend. If
you don't receive a fix, here's something you could try. Pull out any cards
(i.e., modem, sound card if any, etc.) that are not necessary for the
installation and see if this helps it to complete. If it does and once the
PC is up and running, put the cards back in one at a time (power turned off
of course) and let Windows detect them. This is just a guess but it doesn't
cost anything but time to try it.

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP
Windows Desktop Experience

 

[RWM]

I thought this would do it since there was an old wireless card in a
PCI slot, but alas, it didn't help.

I should add that I have no hardware attached other than keyboard,
mouse, and speakers.

 

[RWM]

Thanks all for the help. I got in by using VGA mode.

 

[iPC]

Sounds like a problem I had after removing the modem from an old eMachine
then attempting to reinstall XP from the Restore CD. The solution was to hit
F8 then boot into VGA Mode and move through the setup prompts. Apparently
this causes the OEM XP to skip part of hardware authentication. I may be
missing something but you can email eMachine support and they will help you
through the process.