Can't install WinXP

[John Smith]

I've installed Windows XP quite a few times on this machine and never
had a problem but now, out of the blue, it just won't work.

What happens is this: I pop in my XP Pro CD, reboot and hit Enter at the
"Press any key to boot from CD" prompt. As usual the "Setup is
inspecting your computer's hardware configuration..." message appears
and disappears but instead of getting the blue setup screen afterwards,
the screen just stays blank and I'm unable to proceed with setup. The CD
spins for a while then stops. I can reboot the machine with Ctrl-Alt-Del
so I know it's not a hardware lockup. But repeating the above just
results in the same blank screen every time.

I figured my CD must be faulty so I dug out my XP Home CD - same thing
exactly. I tried my Win2000 CD and that worked as normal, giving me the
blue setup screen.

I haven't changed a single thing hardware-wise. I've checked the
memory's seated correctly. I'm been using the machine all day and it
seems just fine. What could be causing setup to fail in this way?

Thanks for your time,
John

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Troubleshoot Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/getstarted/troubleshoot.mspx

Microsoft offers free installation support.
You may wish to give them a call.

Contact Microsoft
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&c1=509&prid=3518&gprid=185522

(In the U.S. call 1-425-635-3311)

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I've installed Windows XP quite a few times on this machine and never
| had a problem but now, out of the blue, it just won't work.
|
| What happens is this: I pop in my XP Pro CD, reboot and hit Enter at the
| "Press any key to boot from CD" prompt. As usual the "Setup is
| inspecting your computer's hardware configuration..." message appears
| and disappears but instead of getting the blue setup screen afterwards,
| the screen just stays blank and I'm unable to proceed with setup. The CD
| spins for a while then stops. I can reboot the machine with Ctrl-Alt-Del
| so I know it's not a hardware lockup. But repeating the above just
| results in the same blank screen every time.
|
| I figured my CD must be faulty so I dug out my XP Home CD - same thing
| exactly. I tried my Win2000 CD and that worked as normal, giving me the
| blue setup screen.
|
| I haven't changed a single thing hardware-wise. I've checked the
| memory's seated correctly. I'm been using the machine all day and it
| seems just fine. What could be causing setup to fail in this way?
|
| Thanks for your time,
| John