XP Problems Loading Still

[Thom @ Pewaukee]

1) Purchased XP Home Edition, not upgrade.
2) Loaded it over 98SE.
3) Wouldn't recognize printer and couldn't find driver.
4) Reloaded over first install.
5) Kept restarting.
6) Downloaded boot disks, 6 floppies. (On another computer)
7) Opened with boot disks and installed XP. I got 18
error messages, indicating file could not be installed.
System worked and printer driver loaded, but internet was
extremely slow and I could not open USER ACCOUNTS to add
password. The window opens empty and notes "NOT
RESPONDING". Also, I could not get the Administrator's
file.
8) I ran a clean install again. Before running the
install I went to BIOS

 

[Malke]

1) Purchased XP Home Edition, not upgrade.
2) Loaded it over 98SE.
3) Wouldn't recognize printer and couldn't find driver.
4) Reloaded over first install.
5) Kept restarting.
6) Downloaded boot disks, 6 floppies. (On another computer)
7) Opened with boot disks and installed XP. I got 18
error messages, indicating file could not be installed.
System worked and printer driver loaded, but internet was
extremely slow and I could not open USER ACCOUNTS to add
password. The window opens empty and notes "NOT
RESPONDING". Also, I could not get the Administrator's
file.
8) I ran a clean install again. Before running the
install I went to BIOS

When you install XP, be sure all peripherals (printers, scanners,
cameras) are disconnected and any BIOS-level antivirus is disabled. If
you are already doing a clean install and the installation is failing,
you probably have bad hardware. Start with a RAM test - I like
Memtest86 from www.memtest86.com - and let the test run for an extended
time, like overnight (unless you get errors immediately). If the RAM is
good, then run a hard drive diagnostic utility, which you can get from
the drive mftr.'s website.

Malke

 

[Thom @ Pewaukee]

Malke you left me hangin, so I started this new one, XP
Problems Loading Still.

This message got sent before I finished.
I went to BIOS and turned off antivirus. All peripherals
were discontected. I did a clean install and it repeated
the restarting.

I don't have access to the internet through this problem
machine, but will download Memtest 86 and then check the
hard drive. I assume I can do all this in DOS. I am
running 3 sticks of RAM for 256, a 40 gig hard drive, with
a 850 Athlon processor. I want to upgrade and may start
if I can't figure this soon. I'm seeing some good deals
on bundles. I just wasn't ready to make the move quire
yet.

 

[Malke]

Malke you left me hangin, so I started this new one, XP
Problems Loading Still.

This message got sent before I finished.
I went to BIOS and turned off antivirus. All peripherals
were discontected. I did a clean install and it repeated
the restarting.

I don't have access to the internet through this problem
machine, but will download Memtest 86 and then check the
hard drive. I assume I can do all this in DOS. I am
running 3 sticks of RAM for 256, a 40 gig hard drive, with
a 850 Athlon processor. I want to upgrade and may start
if I can't figure this soon. I'm seeing some good deals
on bundles. I just wasn't ready to make the move quire
yet.

I don't know what you mean that I left you hanging. My answer to you was
that if you were installing clean and without peripherals connected
that there is a good possibility you have hardware failure. I suggested
you run a RAM test and a hard drive test.

Again, for the RAM test try Memtest86 from www.memtest86.com. Of course
you will need to do this from a working computer. Either download
the .iso and burn it as an image (you will need third-party burning
software to do this, such as Nero or Roxio) to make a bootable cd OR
download the precompiled Windows binary to make a bootable floppy. Boot
with either the cd or floppy (set your computer's boot order as
appropriate) and the test will start to run immediately. Allow the test
to run for a few hours unless you get errors right away. If you get
errors, replace the RAM.

If the RAM is fine, test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from
the drive mftr. Usually you will make a bootable floppy, boot with it
and run a thorough test. If you get errors, replace the hard drive.

Malke

 

[Thom @ Pewaukee]

Sometimes I just don't get it. I downloaded the RAM test,
unzipped it to a floppy. I didn't think it would work,
because I had no way to open the floppy, not getting to my
startup window. I inserted the floppy into the floppy
drive. DOS gave me that A drive disk error. I took the
disk out and hit a key. Instead of restarting, it went to
the install window stating I had ~ 32 minutes on install
time and asked that I insert the XP CD. I inserted the CD
and everything loaded OK. No peripherals were attached.
Except for the floppy, I followed the latest suggestions
you gave me. I did shut down and plugged in everthing.
New Hardware found my printer (The original source of my
problems.), asked to insert XP CD, and it loaded my
printer driver. Everthing seems fine now. Like I said, I
don't get it.

I want to load XP SP2 now, but am hesitant after seeing
all the issues on this site. I'll probably do it and,
hopefully, won't have to see you again. (No offense!)

I'm sorry about the left me hangin' remark. It's just
that the help for my first post stopped, the second post,
with you, wasn't quite done (I had more questions.), and
this is my third post. I think I purchased XP in May and
was getting a bit frustrated.

-----Original Message-----


I don't know what you mean that I left you hanging. My answer to you was
that if you were installing clean and without peripherals connected
that there is a good possibility you have hardware failure. I suggested
you run a RAM test and a hard drive test.

Again, for the RAM test try Memtest86 from

www.memtest86.com. Of course

 

[Malke]

Sometimes I just don't get it. I downloaded the RAM test,
unzipped it to a floppy. I didn't think it would work,
because I had no way to open the floppy, not getting to my
startup window.

For future reference (because Memtest86 is a great tool), that's why I
said to be sure and read the Readme. You can't open the floppy in
Windows - it is a specialized Linux. You have to create a boot floppy
or bootable cd-r and just boot with it. The test will run immediately.

I'm glad you got everything sorted. Good luck to you.

Cheers,

Malke