strange fresh install - cannot install Office XP, etc

[Brendan]

My HDD recently started clicking big time (sure sign of
failure?!) so i took this op to order a new 250g HDD and
install WinXP Pro from scratch. So got XP on there, and
thought the next logical move would be to install SP2?
Which I did, left it running, came back to see the PC
rebooting. Assumed SP2 installed, but help-about didnt show
up any SP's. So rebooted, and hey presto SP2 appeared,
firewall, security console and all. At which point I tried
to install Office XP. Threw the disc in, but an alert came
up that I must use control panel-add/remove programmes to
install new progs. Tried this, but it made me browse for
the setup file, but wouldnt run it. (The procedure entry
point GetTokenIngorm 'tioo could not be located in dynamic
link library ADVAP132.dll). Tried turning off the windows
firewall, security, update etc but no go.

My Iomega external HDD, internal firewire card, sound
cards, etc were not auto installed, I would've thought at
least a couple of these drivers would be included in SP2? I
have tried following Iomega's setup instructions - plug the
externall HDD into the firewire (which i know is working
cause it picked up my iPod earlier), but not listed under
my computer. installed the Iomega disk, which did a
registry update, but still no go. so rebooted, with drive
plugged in, still no go.

Should I have installed in this order - WinXP, OfficeXP,
Office SP's 1 & 2, installed all my other progs, then WinXP
SP2?

Since all this, I have formatted the new HDD as NTFS (quick
format), then used an XP Pro disk with SP1 slipstreamed
into it - I know this worked as I had previously used to do
a fresk install on this computer some 6-9 months ago. Then
next i tried installing Office XP, but still get the same
'install through add/remove programs' which isnt working
for me.

i have also tried installing my linksys WMP54g wireless
card - insert the CD, teh linksys flash screen pops up,
then disappears. every time from then on i double click the
linksys cd in explorer, the same happens. i have tried
doing add new hardware, searching for installed devices,
nothing obviously the wireless card (simple communications
device? - is this the modem? cant get that working
either).tried adding it manually using the linksys *.inf
file - but still no go.

i am deeply puzzled, it all seems very strange. i've just
moved house, and dont get my new broadband till tuesday
week, so that kinda stumps me also.
oh, forgot to mention i installed the maxtor big disk
program for HDD's over 137gig also, thought that mightve
been the sure fire answer -no go.

I've brought my PC into work to try and use the internet
connection here. plugged the network cable in (yep-checked
it was working on another PC that I took it out from),
booted my XP PC, logged into my account, there is then a
notification in the bottom right hand task bar stating that
a network cable is unplugged. i've checked the network card
(onboard) is installed and rnuning correctly through system
properties, which it is so i am stumped.

Any help greatly appreciate.

 

[R. McCarty]

You certainly seem to have run into a number of issues. First,
a head click isn't always impending doom. Might have been a
bad cluster(s) that caused the head resets. Instead of trying to
address each issue individually, I would do this. Slipstream XP
to Service Pack 2. Pick an imaging program and have it ready.
Do a fresh install with peripherals unplugged (Firewire, iPod &
others that XP will not have native drivers.) Image the disk at
this point for a "Raw Install". Then update all the drivers for the
enumerated components -ChipSet, Video, Sound. Then start
adding the remaining devices (Download latest drivers). Once
that is done, visit Windows Update and get the .Jpeg update.
Check Event View (System/Application) and make sure there
aren't issues. Customize XP (Themes, View, etc). Then make
a second image of the System Partition as a "Core Image".
Now from this point on you can start installing applications &
other 3rd party apps. I understand where you are coming from,
installation order does seem to affect XP and I couldn't wager
a guess why that is. Anyway - once you have a Core Image
you can always return to that state and proceed to complete
your XP instance.

 

[Guest]

Cool, cheers for the reply - i'll definetly try that. would
you suggest pullnig out all teh additional PCI cards -
wiresless/video editing card/etc when i do the intial install?
just one thing though, after the first install went
haywire, i formatted the HDD, and installed XP with SP1
slipstreamed, and then tried to install OfficeXP
straightaway, but again got the 'must use add/remove
programmes' to install it, then couldnt install it. so
whilst i am optimistic that your method will work, i am a
little suspicious that i couldnt install OfficeXP straight
off the back of a fresh install of XP?
will give it a go tomorrow and see how we go.
thanks again.

 

[Len]

I would try two other things in addition to the great advice you received:

Remove/completely disconnect your old HD
Completely remove your current partition/do a full format NTFS/ (assuming
you have a slipstreamed copy of XP with at least SP1)

FWIW,
Len