Endless loop in Windows XP setup

[Guest]

My son tried upgrading from Windows 2000 to Windows XP and now the Windows XP
setup is stuck at 39 minutes. When rebooting, it continues at 39 minutes
then a blue screen comes back on, the computer reboots and the cycle starts
again. How can I get out of the Windows XP setup to start the process all
over again?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Harry]

att 39 minutes remaining xp starts installing devices. so either there is a
hardware error or some h/w is incompatible with xp and if it displays some
error please post it too for more precise support

Harjeet

 

[Rusty]

I've heard that upgrading can carry many problems over to the new OS and a
clean install is much safer and more reliable.

 

[Guest]

Thank you Harry. I will make a note of the error from the blue screen and
post it.

 

[Guest]

Unfortunately, I need the data from the old hard drive and a clean install is
not an option. I will exhaust any recommended steps and as a final resort,
reformat my hard drive.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Guest]

I have tried unsuccessfully to copy down the error that the "blue screen"
gives me because it flashes by so fast. Is there a way to capture this error?

 

[John John]

If you cannot resolve the problem you can retrieve the data on the disk
via a parallel installation or by slaving the disk in another XP or
Windows 2000 computer.

John

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I've heard that upgrading can carry many problems over to the new OS
and a clean install is much safer and more reliable.

Although many people will tell you that formatting and installing cleanly is
the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with previous versions of Windows, an
upgrade to XP replaces almost everything, and usually works very well.

My recommendation is to at least try the upgrade, since it's much easier
than a clean installation. You can always change your mind and reinstall
cleanly if problems develop.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

If you cannot get the upgrade to complete, do a clean install to a new
folder (procedure linked below). There is no need to format and this will
allow you to recover the data on the drive, though you would lose any
software installed under the old system (and simply need to reinstall it).
This parallel installation is a common way of recovering from this sort of
problem.

Install to a new folder:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316941#E3ACAAA

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

Disconnect any and ALL external devices other than keyboard, mouse and
screen.. continue with the upgrade..