Windows XP Pro upgrade problem

[Guest]

I've just tried to upgrade from Windows 2000 to XP Pro.

The install didn't finish properly, and now the computer gets into a loop -
the Windows welcome screen appears for a few seconds, with the moving dots
along the bottom, then the screen goes blank and the machine reboots. There
is a text screen saying Windows couldn't start and offering a choice of
starting normally, with the last known good configuration, safe mode, safe
mode with networking etc but which ever I choose Windows never starts
completely, the Welcome screen appears, then the screen goes blank and the
machine reboots...

Can anyone suggest what is causing this?

Possible issues:
Before upgrading I noted a compatibility problem with a network card, but I
thought I had installed a new driver to get around this.

During the set up programme I get a message that "Windows could not load the
installer for Tape Controller" - I was using a SCSI tape drive with Windows
2000 but I have removed the SCSI card and disconnected the drive.

In Windows 2000 I had a couple of hardware profiles defined, and during my
endless cycle I also get a screen asking to select which hardware profile I
want to use.

I am tearing my hair out trying to get the machine to work, so I would be
eternally grateful to anyone who can suggest the solution.

 

[Jetro]

Repeat a Repair installation a.k.a. In-place upgrade.

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=315341
How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I have had two or three goes at
repairing the installation, and they all end up with the same problem.

I have also used the XP recovery console to disable Firewall and Virus scan
services, in case these were causing the problem but to no avail.

 

[Jetro]

Perhaps, the group oughta know what was wrong with setup?

 

[Guest]

The answer is I have no idea. There were no error messages during install (or
repair) other than the message about the Tape Controller. The reboot just
happens with no information.

I am thinking of trying a clean reinstall of Windows 2000 to see if at least
I can get Windows to start with that OS.

 

[Jetro]

I am still guessing without any info: disconnect everything unimportant.

 

[Guest]

pull out all new video cards, nic cards and the like, then do install. Once
installed you can put them back in and windows will install and detect them