XP setup infinite loop

[Guest]

I can't get XP (Pro or Home) to install on a newly-built system. First part of the XP install runs normally, but instead of rebooting to the GUI part of setup, the setup restarts from the beginning in an endless loop. Removing the XP CD brings up the system disk missing error message. I've tried swapping out the IDE cables, HDs & memory to no avail.

 

[Taurarian]

Try the set up boot disks and restart the installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310994
Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks

also this is a good site for information on installing WinXP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/

I can't get XP (Pro or Home) to install on a newly-built system. First

part of the XP install runs normally, but instead of rebooting to the GUI
part of setup, the setup restarts from the beginning in an endless loop.
Removing the XP CD brings up the system disk missing error message. I've
tried swapping out the IDE cables, HDs & memory to no avail.

 

[Ron Rector]

Are you booting from the cd each time? If so do not boot
from the cd. Let setup boot from the hard drive.

-----Original Message-----
I can't get XP (Pro or Home) to install on a newly-built

system. First part of the XP install runs normally, but
instead of rebooting to the GUI part of setup, the setup
restarts from the beginning in an endless loop. Removing
the XP CD brings up the system disk missing error
message. I've tried swapping out the IDE cables, HDs &
memory to no avail.

 

[Guest]

Tried all of the above already - if XP CD is removed after first part of XP setup then the 'no system disk error message' comes up & setup asks to boot from CD.

Using setup floppies just gets u to the same point.

The GUI part of setup never happens because setup doesn't seem to recognise that the necessary files for continuing setup are already copied to the hard drive in setup part 1.

 

[Sharon F]

Tried all of the above already - if XP CD is removed after first part of XP setup then the 'no system disk error message' comes up & setup asks to boot from CD.

Using setup floppies just gets u to the same point.

The GUI part of setup never happens because setup doesn't seem to recognise that the necessary files for continuing setup are already copied to the hard drive in setup part 1.

Colin, if booting from the XP CD to start the setup - you may have to
detour into BIOS on the initial restart and change the boot order back to
hard drive first. I had one system like that and fell into the same loop
that you described. After the boot order was changed, XP setup picked up
right where it left off as one would hope.

 

[Guest]

Thanx Sharon, Ron & Tauraria

I already tried the BIOS boot-up switch to get the machine to boot from the HD after the first XP setup restart. Just get the same error -" no system disk, boot from CD?" If the CD is re-inserted, setup just restarts from the beginning. I have swapped everything out - HD, RAM, IDE cables (primary & secondary channels). Tried 3 different XP CDs (2x Pro, 1xhome). Yes I have no peripherals other than KB, mouse, monitor attached. 1 stick RAM. No PCI or AGP cards

This is a clean install on a newly-built machine. I've built plenty of XP systems b4 & I'm at a loss with this one. Even had the mobo checked out. Clean bill of health

As I said above, the setup files ARE copied to the HD, but after reboot XP setup can't seem to see the files on the HD. Never get to GUI part of setup!

 

[Sharon F]

Thanx Sharon, Ron & Taurarian

I already tried the BIOS boot-up switch to get the machine to boot from
the HD after the first XP setup restart. Just get the same error -" no
system disk, boot from CD?" If the CD is re-inserted, setup just
restarts from the beginning. I have swapped everything out - HD, RAM,
IDE cables (primary & secondary channels). Tried 3 different XP CDs (2x
Pro, 1xhome). Yes I have no peripherals other than KB, mouse, monitor
attached. 1 stick RAM. No PCI or AGP cards.

This is a clean install on a newly-built machine. I've built plenty of
XP systems b4 & I'm at a loss with this one. Even had the mobo checked
out. Clean bill of health.

As I said above, the setup files ARE copied to the HD, but after reboot
XP setup can't seem to see the files on the HD. Never get to GUI part of
setup!

Looks like you've checked everything but... I see no mention of checking
the drive itself? Do you have an extra drive on hand to experiment with to
eliminate the board, power supply or IDE cable as the problem?

Downloaded diagnostic tools from hardware manufacturer to test the new
drive? Rare but it's possible for a new hard drive to be DOA.

Checked the jumpers? The last drive I added had new settings I hadn't seen
before: master/single and master/dual (different jumpers for each config).
http://support.wdc.com/techinfo/general/jumpers.asp

 

[Guest]

Yes, checked jumper settings, tried with 3 different HDs (all new) b4 I posted. I suspect a motherboard fault somewhere, despite what the retailer said about there not being a mobo fault when they tested it.

 

[Sharon F]

Yes, checked jumper settings, tried with 3 different HDs (all new) b4 I
posted. I suspect a motherboard fault somewhere, despite what the
retailer said about there not being a mobo fault when they tested it.

Sounds like a reasonable conclusion to me. Especially since you've checked
out all of the other components so thoroughly.

 

[m]

Hello colinw.
See Brutal's thread "Fresh Install Win XP Home Problems".
Simply, mine worked when I took off the jumper from the HDD - it seems newer
HDDs - Western Digital at least - don't need to use a jumper to make it
Master when installing alone.
Regards,

m

| Yes, checked jumper settings, tried with 3 different HDs (all new) b4 I
posted. I suspect a motherboard fault somewhere, despite what the retailer
said about there not being a mobo fault when they tested it.

 

[Guest]

Thanx m - yes it was just a jumper issue. Having done a search it seems this is a common problem but one that microsoft doesn't seem to be aware of. It should certainly be an FAQ/knowledge base entry.