XP install gets started and then hangs

[brassplyer]

Running the install from the optical drive, goes through the various
initial stages - blue screen,- copying files etc., things seem to be
sailing along fine, but then I get a "To intall from CD press any key"
prompt, but no response.

The hard drive I'm installing to is recognized in bios, so apparently
that's not n issue.

Any suggestions?

Would it be possible to copy the install cd onto the C: drive and have
it load from itself?

 

[philo]

Running the install from the optical drive, goes through the various
initial stages - blue screen,- copying files etc., things seem to be
sailing along fine, but then I get a "To intall from CD press any key"
prompt, but no response.

The hard drive I'm installing to is recognized in bios, so apparently
that's not n issue.

Any suggestions?

Would it be possible to copy the install cd onto the C: drive and have
it load from itself?

after the initial setup, on the first reboot
you need to ignore the message "to install from CD press any key"

after a few seconds, the second part of the installation should take place.

if your machine hangs, then check the bios to make sure that the HD is
listed as the second boot device (right after CD rom which should be first)

 

[Brian Matthews]

after the initial setup, on the first reboot
you need to ignore the message "to install from CD press any key"

after a few seconds, the second part of the installation should take place.

if your machine hangs, then check the bios to make sure that the HD is
listed as the second boot device (right after CD rom which should be first)

I had that problem with my wireless keyboard. For some reason, it
wouldn't work while trying to reinstall Windows. I plugged an old
keyboard in and it solved the problem.

 

[brassplyer]

after the initial setup, on the first reboot
you need to ignore the message "to install from CD press any key"

after a few seconds, the second part of the installation should take place.

What I've discovered is happening is on that second auto reboot (the
first time I wasn't actually watching the screen) it's giving the
"Press any key to boot from CD" - if I don't do anything it hangs and
then after a minute or two it adds an "Inval0d partition
table" (misspelling per the screen) message and splashes a few random
characters in the black screen below. And there it stays.

If as above instead of doing nothing I press some key immediately, it
simply loops back into the initial bluescreen setup process.

When I check the drive in another machine, it shows a folder "WINDOWS"
about 500 megs. This other machine is also the one I used to format
the drive from within XP if it makes a difference.

It would seem the "invalid partition table" message must mean
something. Perhaps a problem with the initial formatting?

if your machine hangs, then check the bios to make sure that the HD is
listed as the second boot device (right after CD rom which should be first)

Yes, that's how it's set up.

 

[brassplyer]

What I've discovered is happening is on that second auto reboot (the
first time I wasn't actually watching the screen) it's giving the
"Press any key to boot from CD" - if I don't do anything it hangs

I should probably add that it also does this on the initial pass
before it actually begins the install process unless i press a key
quickly.

 

[relic]

I should probably add that it also does this on the initial pass
before it actually begins the install process unless i press a key
quickly.

Sounds like your Boot Sequence in BIOS does not have the drive you're
installing to included.

1st, CD
2nd, Drive you intend to install to.

 

[brassplyer]

Sounds like your Boot Sequence in BIOS does not have the drive you're
installing to included.

1st, CD
2nd, Drive you intend to install to.

It does, it's set up exactly as you've outlined.

 

[relic]

It does, it's set up exactly as you've outlined.

You're not seeing a Boot drive. The Boot drive (C must have 3 files in the
root:
boot.ini
ntldr
NTDETECT.COM

Does the XP Installation see it as Drive C:?

(You could also disconnect the data cable from every other drive while you
do the install.)

 

[The Dark One]

I formatted (full format) it again though the setup on the machine
it's being installed on, it now seems to be progressing normally. It's
now at the "Here's Why Windows XP is so fantastic" screen with the
progress bar. First time it's gotten to this stage.

Apparently there was an issue with the prior format (also a full
format) done with the other machine.

Crossing fingers.

Now onto the next "why the &#^!@!!& won't this load/boot/error
message" etc. etc.

 

[brassplyer]

You're not seeing a Boot drive. The Boot drive (C must have 3 files in the
root:
boot.ini
ntldr
NTDETECT.COM

Does the XP Installation see it as Drive C:?

Forgot I had gone to another ID on my other response. Thanks for your
input, all (so far) seems to be working.

 

[Rebecca]

Does your BIOS allow booting from either IDE (PATA) or SATA?

You mean, 'Does your SATA Controller allow it to be configured as IDE in
BIOS'?

 

[brassplyer]

Why does the installer refer to it as "Windows XP Professional"?

 

[brassplyer]

I've got a desktop now, but during the install it didn't successfully
install IE - kept asking for a file that was apparently nowhere to be
found on disk2 that it kept asking for.

Also not having success re-hooking up to my other computer (the one
I'm posting from) via the ethernet crossover cable.

Went through the wizard once, got an activity icon but no successful
connection to the other machine. Widows firewall is off, Zonealarm on
the other machine is off.

Rebooted, now no activity icon.

Went through the wizard again

Create a new connection > set up an advanced connection > connect
directly to another computer > select as Host - hangs..

Tried it as "Guest". Tried to name it, used the same name as before
but it tells me "another connection with this name already exists,
rename" However, I don't see the supposedly previously made
connection, nor as previously stated no connection activity icon.

Thanks for all assistance.

 

[brassplyer]

I've got a desktop now, but during the install it didn't successfully
install IE - kept asking for a file that was apparently nowhere to be
found on disk2 that it kept asking for.

Apparently it initially partially loaded - ie showed up on the Start
button list but only a "ghost" icon, i.e. not the full "blue E" icon.

So, I tried going through Add or Remove Programs - Add/Remove Windows
components. IE was initially checked, I unchecked it, then went
through the steps to reinstall it, but despite various activity
showing, after rebtoot it still isn't in the programs list.

 

[relic]

Apparently it initially partially loaded - ie showed up on the Start
button list but only a "ghost" icon, i.e. not the full "blue E" icon.

So, I tried going through Add or Remove Programs - Add/Remove Windows
components. IE was initially checked, I unchecked it, then went
through the steps to reinstall it, but despite various activity
showing, after rebtoot it still isn't in the programs list.

Is SP2 installed? SP2 reinstalls a new revision of IE6.

 

[brassplyer]

Is SP2 installed? SP2 reinstalls a new revision of IE6.

Yes. Shows as SP2. Strictly speaking this is Media Center Edition. It
initially tried to load IE but was unsuccessful as previously
outlined. So far haven't been successful getting hooked back up to my
DSL connection or the connection to the other computer.

 

[Hodges]

Yes. Shows as SP2. Strictly speaking this is Media Center Edition. It
initially tried to load IE but was unsuccessful as previously
outlined. So far haven't been successful getting hooked back up to my
DSL connection or the connection to the other computer.

Do you use a router with your DSL connection? If not, you probably
have to reset the modem after switching it to the 2nd PC. Are you
sure it's a crossover cable and not a normal cat5e/cat6 cable? It has
to be a crossover cable to work correctly between 2 computers.

 

[Don Phillipson]

on that second auto reboot (the
first time I wasn't actually watching the screen) it's giving the
"Press any key to boot from CD" - if I don't do anything it hangs and
then after a minute or two it adds an "Inval0d partition
table" (misspelling per the screen) message and splashes a few random
characters in the black screen below. And there it stays.

If you are sure the boot process is looking at the correct
drive (hard drive C:\) this indicates trouble with the drive
format. You should probably run the drive maker's diagnostics.