Stuck in endless restart loop while installing xp

[Maxi]

Purposely crossposted coz I am not getting answers from the setup
deployment forum.

I have Intel Celeron 800MHz Processor on an Intel 815e chipset mobo.
256MB SDRAM, 40G HDD, CD-ROM, CD-RW, 1.44 FDD, Nvidia graphics card.

I was using Windows XP, SP1, SP2 on the same computer since two years
without any issues that proves there is no compatibility issues. I
haven't added any new hardware or software. Recently my comp was stuck
in Restart loop and therefore I decided to format my computer.

After formatting the computer thrice I have the same issue. I tried
changing the installation CD but luck.

This is what I am doing:
1. Boot from CD
2. I get a message: To setup press Enter, To repair press "R", To Exit
press "F3" -> I press Enter
3. F8 key to agree the EULA
4. I select my primary partition (C
5. I select "Format the partition before installing XP"
6. It creates a list of file to copy and copies.
7. Computer restarts
8. After restart, I get a message "Collecting info", "Peparing for
Installtion", "Installing files" and two more options which I could not
see because it restarts at this point and get stuck in a loop.

I have reseated memory, video card and every devices.

I have booted the computer in DOS and ran a Scandisk with Surface scan.
it went on for about 7 hours and the computer did not restart.

I installed Windows 98 and used the system for some and it did not
restart.

Why is it behaving crazy in Windows XP???

Please advise.

 

[John]

Maxi wrote:
Recently my comp was stuck

in Restart loop and therefore I decided to format my computer.

I would do it again, to get your HD really clean, use both of these,
start with Zap 1st. Both can go on your boot disk ( either floppy or cd
) Set your bios to boot from floppy or cd 1st.
Zap
http://mirror.href.com/thestarman/asm/mbr/BootToolsRefs.htm#ZAP
http://www.digitalissues.co.uk/html/os/misc/ibm-wipe-zap.html
Zap is a DOS software utility that writes zeroes to the first 128
sectors on a hard disk drive, including the Master Boot Record and the
first Partition Boot Record. It can be used with both SCSI and IDE
drives. This function is now included in the Drive Fitness Test.

=======================================

WIPE OUT
http://www.lurkhere.com/~nicefiles/index.html
http://www.lurkhere.com/~nicefiles/wipeout.zip
Freeware.
WIPE OUT: as the name implies, this utility will absolutely WIPE your
hard drive. For those times when an industrial strength cleaner is
needed to remove any pesky files Fdisk may have left behind. A readme
file is included in the zip file. WARNING...WIPE OUT will remove ALL
data from the Hard Drive.

DIRECTIONS

1- Unzip file
2- Copy WIPE OUT to a Win95/98/ME boot disk or put the boot disk, Zap &
WIPE OUT onto cd.
3- Boot with Win9x disk, make sure the bios is set to boot from floppy
or cd 1st.
4- At the A:\> type "wipeout c: /nq /np" (no quotes)
/nq = no queries - you will not be asked if you are sure.
/np = no partitions - this will overwrite the MBR

Press Enter.

Now use your XP cd to format & partition.
Or,
Run fdisk to set up partitions.
http://fdisk.radified.com/
When done, reboot & format.

 

[John]

Purposely crossposted coz I am not getting answers from the setup
deployment forum.

This also may help.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

 

[jzalar]

You could also choose to delet partions during setup. After deleting
all partions, create one, format. Then you should be all set.

 

[Maxi]

Thank you both of you for your help.

John, I think I would take your first solution cleaning the hdd with
zap and wipeout. I have a 40G IDE hdd (ATA 33Mhz - 40 wire cable i
think) on a 800Mhz Celeron cpu with 256M SDRAM. Can you tell me
approximately how much time will it take for both ZAP and Wipeout to
clean the hdd?

I did read the article but it is too technical for me to guess an
approximate time.

 

[John]

John, I think I would take your first solution cleaning the hdd with
zap and wipeout. I have a 40G IDE hdd (ATA 33Mhz - 40 wire cable i
think) on a 800Mhz Celeron cpu with 256M SDRAM. Can you tell me
approximately how much time will it take for both ZAP and Wipeout to
clean the hdd?

They are both instant, Maxi.

 

[Maxi]

I was reading this article which says ZAP only writes ZEROS till 8GB. I
did not understand that.

 

[Anna]

I was reading this article which says ZAP only writes ZEROS till 8GB. I
did not understand that.

Maxi:
First of all, from the original description of your problem I really don't
think using the Zap and/or similar-type programs is going to solve your
problem. There's no harm is using that Zap program - basically what it does
is write zeroes to the first 128 sectors on a hard disk drive, including the
Master Boot Record and the first Partition Boot
Record. We've found it an effective tool for eliminating those dreadful
drive overlay programs offered by hard drive manufacturers and also
effective in purging the MBR of any virus infestation. It just doesn't sound
to me that Zap will be particularly useful in your situation assuming I
correctly understand the problem you're experiencing. But as long as you're
starting fresh (or at least trying to), you can feel free to use it.

I may have a suggestion or two for you, but before doing so will you clarify
your comment "I installed Windows 98 and used the system for some and it
did not restart."? Precisely, what does this mean? Are you saying that when
you installed that OS (*after* experiencing your problem with XP) your
system functioned with no problems. No untoward "restarts" that you
described in your original post? So that the problem you're now experiencing
is specific to the XP operating system? Please be very clear about this.

BTW, in a previous posting you mentioned (apparently) that you're using a
40-wire IDE data cable to connect your HDD. I trust you don't mean a 40-pin
IDE connector. If you *are* using a 40-wire data cable it would be prudent
to replace it with an 80-wire data cable. Again, I don't think that's at the
root of your problem but it would be wise to use an 80-wire data cable to
connect your HDD.
Anna

 

[pye-man]

HI Maxi try disabling all cashing modes in the bios including L2,Bios
and Write back... Also disable Bios virus protection setting..then put
them back if you get installed ok...