long installation time

[Andrew]

Hi,

My 4 year old notebook 40gig hdd has 3 partitions C, D, E; with WinXP SP2
installed on C drive. It was working fine, except for a 15min start-up time
it takes to load all the crap I've on there. I suspect it's the ZoneAlarm
Security Suite that is taking a long time to load.

Recently I've reinstalled the OS onto the C drive. However the installation
process is taking days to do. It took like 1 whole day to "install devices",
and now it is taking 2 days (so far) to "install network". It still hasn't
completed yet.

Right now it's about half-way thru on "install network" (according to the
progress bar). I've tried to force shut-down and reboot the notebook. It goes
into Win setup process again and restarts on "install devices" (1
hr+requiring cd), after which it goes into "install network" (doesn't care if
cd is in or not), and takes just stay there again.

Is it a problem with my cd ? or perhaps my cd-rom drive ?
What should I do ? Ideally I keep the data on my other 2 partitions. If not,
then is there any way to just reformat the entire hdd again ?

Any input will be appreciated. Thanks.

regards,
Andrew

 

[Ron Badour]

What is the size of your C: partition and how much free space is on it? Did
you do a repair installation or did you format C: and install clean?

 

[PaladinWxpX64]

Seems to me that you may have an issue in the hardrive space department. Also
RAM memory may have become a bottleneck. If you have 256 MB or less you could
consider upping the RAM to atleast 512. 1 GB of RAM would work even better.

If the hard drive is active like no tomorrow I would assume the hard drive
needs to swap big time. Swapping will be higher is you have minimum RAM
installed. If the partition is smallish it will result in delays of
installation etc even more.

Keep in mind that Windows XP has grown in the amount of space it requires.

Not sure what you have on the other partitions but if possible optimize the
partitions. 40GB is not much with Windows Xp + say office installed.

 

[Andrew]

Hi, thanks for your reply.
My C drive is about 15 gig, D 15gig, and E 10gig.
Free space on C drive is about 1gig, D about 5gig, E about 3gig.
I did not re-format, just re-install the OS. Not repair installation.

U think I should just reformat the C drive instead ? How do I do that ?

cheers
Andrew

 

[Andrew]

Thanks for your reply.

The problem should be the hdd space on my C drive, if I remember correctly,
WinXP will copy the files from the cd onto the C drive before installation.

So what should I do now to get out of this jam ?

cheers
Andrew

 

[PaladinWxpX64]

hmmmm...

I would never recommand a re-install uptop of a existing Windows Version not
even with an upgrade.

If you ahve all the needed softawre available I would backup all data you
need. Photo's, documents etc etc (don't forget your bookmarks if you think
you cant live without those) export your email-messages if you used Outlook
Express.

Then re-partition your Hard drive in atleast 20GB for the OS + Applications
(swapfile) if you still want to work with more then 1 partition. With 40 GB I
would not even bother partitioning it. But that's me.

Start anew with the installation.

Btw I usually make sure to have all hardware drivers available on a CD first
so I can install the system with all the drivers installed before I access
the Internet.
I also never access the internet before I have at least a
anti-virus/firewall running.

Usually I make sure to keep at least 2.5x the RAM installed + 2 GB of free
space on the systemdrive (that being the hard drive or partition on which the
OS resides).

 

[Andrew]

thanks for your reply.

The problem I am facing is that I can't even access the harddisk, so I can't
do all those stuff u said u would do.

How do I get back to reformat the C drive screen ? I've tried to reboot with
the WinXP cd in, and it F8 for bios. I get prompted to choose the boot-up
source, which I choose from the cd. It searches for it --> not found.. then
it goes to -> setup WinXP screen again.

I really really hope I can save the other 2 partitions coz I have some data
that I haven't backed-up.

cheers
Andrew

 

[PaladinWxpX64]

Seems my response got posted about your question (odd)

look up my answer a bit up the line itself.

 

[windmap]

Sound like Hardware problem.Check for motherboard and Hard drive problems.

 

[Gerry]

Andrew

To install an operating system you need sufficient working space as well
as the space to be taken up by the operating system. Have you allowed
for this factor? I am not sure how much extra space is involved. Ron may
know.

Are you loading a complete SP2 or SP1 intending to install SP2 when SP1
has completed?


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Ron Badour]

I think the problem you are having is due to insufficient free space on the
C: partition. For some reason, I have not been able to find the exact
space required for a reinstallation; however, the installation of SP2
requires from 1100 mb to 1600 mb.

At this point, I would reinstall the system clean--you are given the option
of formatting the C: partition on the XP setup page. I applicable, make
sure you have all the needed drivers on hand.

 

[Andrew]

Hi Gerry
Thanks for your input.

I am installing a complete copy of WinXp with SP2, all in 1 cd-rom.
Right now, I cannot even access my WinXP OS coz it goes straight into WinXP
setup..

Is there a way to go back to the DOS format screen where I can just reformat
my C drive to free up more hdd space ?

regards
Andrew

 

[Andrew]

there is nothing wrong with my motherboard and hard drive.

cheers

 

[Andrew]

Thanks for your input.

I am installing a complete copy of WinXp with SP2, all in 1 cd-rom.
Right now, I cannot even access my WinXP OS coz it goes straight into WinXP
setup..

Is there a way to go back to the DOS format screen where I can just reformat
my C drive to free up more hdd space ?

regards
Andrew

 

[Andrew]

Heya guys,

I've followed the help on: Setup stops responding with 34 minutes remaining
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/828267/en-us

It works. Thanks for all your input.

cheers
Andrew