Windows XP Pro clean install issues, SP2 issues too...

[Howie]

I have been trying to install Win XP Pro on a P3 - 733 machine with an
Intel D815EEA motherboard/CPU. I bought a 256 MB RAM stick of AZENRAM
from Futureshop (Canada eh!). I used the two spare 13 GB HD's that we
kicking around as well. I flashed the BIOS too (I read that one should
do this before a clean XP install).

The install goes ok until I get the message:

"the file xxxxx.xxx was not copied correctly. The file setup placed on
your HD is not a valid Windows XP system image. If you are installing
from CD, there may be a problem with the Windows XP CD." After each
error message it gave me the option to "Retry or Skip". "

xxxxx.xxx stands for various files, such as "dxmrtp.dll" or
"localsec.dll"...

I hit "Retry" many times, but it appeared to eventually copy the file
correctly. This happened numerous times during the install (at least 15
times).... it eventually got through the install however. I tried
another WIN XP CD (original, not copied)... same problem.

I "googled" the error message and some people say it's a bad RAM stick,
others say a bad hard drive, CD drive or Power Supply. Others say it's
the motherboard.

XP starts up ok, and it appears to be functioning ok as well. I have
install a great deal of updates too. When I tried to install Service
Pack 2, I got this service pack 2 setup error message: "a component's
file does not match the verification information present in the
component manifest." Service pack 2 then uninstalls itself.

I have ran two RAM diagnostic utilities (DocMemory and Memtest86), the
RAM tested ok. I switched hard drives, no fix... swapped CD drives,
still no fix. I even changed the Power Supply... no fix. I swapped out
the motherboard/CPU (I have a spare)... still no fix... this is
starting to get on my nerves. It sounds like the original install
wasn't a good one, even though the machine seems to run ok (this post
is sent to you on this machine)...

Should I tweak the BIOS settings? Any ideas / tips / suggestions /
advice? I'm at the end of my rope.

Howie

 

[Tweek]

The first thing I do in this situation is make a copy of the xp install cd
and try to install it with the copy. Bad or incompatible memory can cause
it. It also could be as simple as a bad IDE cable. If you have been using
the same cables while trying new hard drives and cd roms, try new cables.

 

[Howie]

I tried another Windows XP Professional CD, same problem...

I did a number of memory diagnostics on the RAM installed and it passed
no problem. It might still be incompatible, how do I found out if it
is?

I'll try other IDE cables...

 

[Tweek]

Right after I responded to your message, the computer I was working on did
the same thing yours did. I ran memtest and the new memory module that had
just been installed failed miserable. Put another one in and it went without
a hitch.

 

[Howie]

hmmm... I ran memtest, and the RAM tested ok... ???

 

[spodosaurus]

hmmm... I ran memtest, and the RAM tested ok... ???

How many passes did you let it go through?

 

[Howie]

2 or 3, I think... should I let it run more?

 

[Howie]

I bought a 256 MB stick of Kingston RAM. Problem solved.

 

[spodosaurus]

2 or 3, I think... should I let it run more?

No, that's usually good enough. I've never had a bad stick that tested
good past the first pass, but with a bad motherboard sometimes the
errors pop up on the second or third pass.

 

[pcbutts1]

Could be Spyware trying to hijack you. Download, install, update and run all
of the following.

Ad-Aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Spybot search and destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta)
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

If none of the above fixes the issue then download Hijack this, run it, save
a copy of the log file and cut and paste it back here to the group so that
it can be analyzed.

HijackThis
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html


--

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I bought a 256 MB stick of Kingston RAM. Problem solved.

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