WIN XP Repair BOOTING INSTALL PROBLEM

[Guest]

Hi, I had a problem earlier......and i've made some progress.....


HISTORY OF PROBLEM: My computer froze early this morning while I was running
an application. I restarted my cpu and no folders or applications would open.
So I restarted my cpu again and it wouldn't go past the WINDOWS XP LOGO
startup screen. After over 7 hours of debating and weighing options I decided
to go with advice of using the INSTALL feature on the XP INSTALL CD and
choosing R for REPAIR. It went through everything (very similar to when
installing WIN XP PRO)....and now it goes past the WIN XP STARTUP screen and
goes to finalize the installation. It goes past:
-Collecting Information
-Dynamic Update
-Preparing Installation
-Installing Windows

Then at -FINALIZING INSTALLATION, the green status bar stopped at the status
point with 2 MINUTES LEFT...I waited for 3.5-4 hours and nothing happened, so
I restarted my computer again......it went through to the finalizing
screen.....and it's been at the stopped point of 2 MINUTES (saying SAVING
SETTINGS) for at least 35 minutes now.

Is this normal? Does it usually take this long? Do I need to do or try
something else? My main concern is my data.....I don't want to lose ANYTHING
on my hard drive, and I'm hoping that I haven't! Someone experience, I'd
greatly appreciate you helping me out in this tough time when a computer is
down! It's the 2nd time i've had a major problem this year! NOT FUN!

-Mike

 

[Menno Hershberger]

I've heard it suggested in such cases that you detach every device except
your keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Just in case it's a hardware conflict
of some sort. But if you're down to only 2 minutes to go, you may be past
the point where that'll help. You may have to start all over with
everything unhooked. I'd be tempted to try it in Safe Mode to see what
happens, but with the install not complete, that might not be such a good
idea either.
These are just ideas and certainly not expert opinions...