XP files installed but won't boot

[volpone]

I just did a clean install of XP with SP1 on my wife's new computer
(Asus motherboard, Athlon, 768MB RAM, new 80GB WD hard drive). It
finally (after many attempts) copied all the files to the hard drive,
but when it reboots to start WinXP for the first time, it wants to
start all over with reformatting and recopying all the files.

Has anyone else had this problem with a clean install? How can I
convince the system to boot XP and not start installing everything over
again?

Thanks for your consideration.
Volpone

 

[Jeff Gaines]

I just did a clean install of XP with SP1 on my wife's new computer
(Asus motherboard, Athlon, 768MB RAM, new 80GB WD hard drive). It
finally (after many attempts) copied all the files to the hard drive,
but when it reboots to start WinXP for the first time, it wants to
start all over with reformatting and recopying all the files.

Has anyone else had this problem with a clean install? How can I
convince the system to boot XP and not start installing everything
over again?

Thanks for your consideration.
Volpone

Have a close look at the installation CD - is it clean and free of
damage/scratches? I had a similar issue once and discovered th CD was
covered in finger marks.

Is the PC actually booting from the hard drive or is it just re-booting
from the CD? Take the CD out to be sure.

It may be that some required files haven't been copied over.