Reinstalling WindowsXP to a blank hard drive

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris Cooper
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Chris Cooper

My son has purchased a new larger hard drive on which he wants to make a
fresh installation of WindowsXP. When starts the procedure by booting from
the installation cd it offers to format the disc and installs certain files,
but where it reaches the restart point it simply begins the installation
procedure from the start without giving any error message.

He has been searching for self-help for days without success. I wonder if
anyone here can either help or point him to a useful help address?

Thank you.

Chris Cooper
 
Hello Will. Windows XP Home Edition. Upgrade. Includes service pack 1.
Version 2002. that's about all it says on the CD.
 
Hi

If the install is onto a new hard disk, the setup program wouldn't give you
a choice of 'Upgrade' or 'New' install. The installation would startup
automatically. What do you think is wrong with the installation procedure?
 
The installation does indeed start automatically and proceeds through
formatting and the copying of files until it comes to the point where it
requires a restart, when the procedure simply starts all over again. (He has
tried disabling the CD boot, but then he gets "Error loading operating
system".)
 
Hi

I misread your posting. When the PC restarts, you're not pressing a key to
'Boot from CD' are you? If so, you need to let the PC boot by itself and
not from the CD at this time.
 
He has tried both pressing and not pressing a key! When he presses it
restarts the installation procedure and when he doesn't he gets "Error
loading operating system" and nothing more happens. It is more or less a
perfect circle. :-)
 
Hi

Have you checked the hard drive for errors? There're shouldn't be any if it
is new. It almost seems as though there is a problem with the CD. Try
cleaning the CD with a soft cloth. Pressing a key will re-start the
installation, but leaving the PC to boot by itself should continue the
installation procedure.
 
Hi Chris

Failing that if you own a licensed copy of Xp you are entitiled to 2 free
support calls from Microsoft themsleves. And they have to reach a resolution,
I only know as I used to work for them.

Regards Ex MS employee.
 
Will,

I was reading this post and realized that it is EXTREMELY similar to the
problem I am having with my computer. The only difference is that when I do
not press a key when it states "Press any key to boot from CD-ROM...", I get
about five periods (.....) and then my computer just locks up, I can press
and key and nothing will happen and the only two options that are left is
the ole CTRL-ALT-DEL sequence or Power Off.

But my install is doing the same thing. It just continuously restarts the
computer, reloads Windows, restarts, reloads, restarts, etc...
 
Hi

When the PC restarts is the installation restarted as well, or does it go to
the where it left off? No message with the 5 (.....)? After the restart(s)
the PC should boot by itself into the remainder of the setup.
 
Jason,

Further to your post, I too get the 5 periods, but this is then followed by
the "Error loading operating system" message before the hang-up.

Will,

We have run CHKDSK and it does not report any errors, the same restart
problem happened when I tried using my own copy of the XP disc and my sons
disc has been cleaned and shows no visual problems. We have also flashed the
latest bios update to the VIA Apollo Pro 133A and updated all drivers, but
all to no avail.

Best wishes,

Chris Cooper
 
All the article in fact says is to update the bios, which we have done,
using a bootable floppy.
 
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