Win XP re-installation hangs - unknown cause

[Guest]

I had Windows XP installed, but the system crashed and some of the Windows
boot files became corrupted. The only solution was to re-install Windows XP.
I re-formatted the hard disk using F-disk on an existing Win 98 floppy
boot-disk. When I started the installation from Win XP CD, it detected the
hardware configuration, then displayed a blue screen where it loaded the
necessary drivers and installation files into memory. But then, it says
"Setup is starting Windows" and then the system freezes. I cannot understand
why I can't get to the Win XP setup menu on the CD, even though the hard
drive is blank and has been formatted. I have tried formatting using FAT32
and also NTFS. I can install Win 98 and Win ME, but not Win XP.

The MS knowledge base has hinted at "the Heads (sides) value in the FAT32
BIOS Parameter Block (BPB) does not match the geometry of the physical
drive." - this is the only possibility why Win 98 and ME will install, but
not Win XP.

Please help!

 

[Guest]

I have almost exactly the same problem - the only difference being that I am
trying to do a repair rather thean a re-installation from scratch.

I am trying to repair an XP Home installation on a SATA drive so have done
the F6 - load controller drivers first, which all seemed to work ok.

I have no idea why my Windows crashed in the first place - I just switched
on my monitor in the morning to find my desktop had frozen. Re-booting only
got me back to a mouse pointer on a black screen with no desktop.

My Windows installation was on a mirrored SATA array which I have since
broken up into separate drives and am trying to re-install XP to the first
drive (with the idea being to get a working XP installation and then
re-mirror the drives).

I was about to try a fresh install but having read Shaun's post I suspect I
will end up with the same fault he has reported.

 

[Guest]

Just to add...

my installation actually freezes at the point where it says at the bottom
'loading default configuration'.

 

[Guest]

my xp pro sp2 installation has had problems with the digital cable -
vga card to display. It resulted in crazy screens during a third/second
start-up
in installation process. If the windows was installed completely, each third
start-up
finished with black screen and no possiblilty to interact with win.
I noticed the xp has applied 'plag & play display' driver to my viewsonic tft.
I changed this driver to the manufacturer's one, installed latest agp driver
and
ati drivers for my vga card. And the problems disappeared durable.
win xp pro sp2 seems to have an out-of-date 'plug & play display' driver
not managing DVI.
Maybe you should try the analogue cable too ?

The same problems I have with a bootable service CD.
Got with a PC magazine from 2003.
It does not manage to boot if my display is connected to vga card via DVI.
No problems with analog cable.
Sounds, its display driver does not manage the digital connection too.

 

[Guest]

Dear community
I have a similar problem:
I had installed the Windows XP professional in my PC, two days ago, the
boot.ini file was damaged. So, I try to repair it using the bootcfg \rebuild
option of the reparation console, but the system was working instable and
cannot run some programs (i.e. explorer.exe).
So, I run the Windows XP professional CD to re-install the system, however,
the installation cannot be completed because the system says "unable to copy
file_x". File_x was several system files unables to copy. I try again, and
again, more than ten times, and ever the same message.
Then, I try to re-install Windows XP with the boot of the installation CD
(to make a clean installation). However, the same message appears: "unable to
copy the file_x". And I try again and again without success.
After, I deleted manually all windows files and then try to install and
again the same message.
Then, I decide to install Windows ME and the installation was finished
successful. So, I again try to install the Windows XP but again the same
message.
Windows ME is operating good (where I'm writing), but why can't I install
Windows XP again now?. Windows XP was installed since years ago in my PC
without problems but I don't know what is happening now.
If you know a solution to this without formating the HDD please tell me. If
not, please tell me too.
Sincerely,
Jose