XP SP2 won't install

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Guest

Hi,

I'm trying to fix my aunt's computer after she had a problem with submitting
passwords. My early attempts, although fixing a number of other problems,
did not work. I asked her to dig out her xp cd and I'd try again.

At this point she attempted to fix it herself using a restore cd from
another computer. What this done exactly i'm not sure but it left the
computer in a worse state than before. I decided the best plan of action
would be a complete format and reinstall, something I've done a dozen times,
this time it's not behaving.

Everytime I attempt this the format works fine, it then copies the required
files on the computer and restarts all as normal, however it then freezes on
the windows splash screen after the timer bar's 3rd lap. I thought it maybe
the fact the computer only had 256mb of ram with 32mb of that being used by
the mobo for graphics so I put a 512 in... still no results.

I assume it is a hardware problem, i've tried 2 different xp sp2 disks now,
but I don't want to recommend her spending any money if it's not needed.

Computer spec...

Processor - Celleron 2.4Ghz
MSI VIA® ProSavageDDR™ P4M266A » P4MAM-V
512mb ram
80gig ide hdd

Any help would be very very much appreciated!

Thanks,

Mark
 
Make sure you remove all external equipment before installing, also
check in the BIOS that the date/time is correct.
 
Mark said:
I'm trying to fix my aunt's computer after she had a problem with
submitting passwords. My early attempts, although fixing a number
of other problems, did not work. I asked her to dig out her xp cd
and I'd try again.

At this point she attempted to fix it herself using a restore cd
from another computer. What this done exactly i'm not sure but it
left the computer in a worse state than before. I decided the best
plan of action would be a complete format and reinstall, something
I've done a dozen times, this time it's not behaving.

Everytime I attempt this the format works fine, it then copies the
required files on the computer and restarts all as normal, however
it then freezes on the windows splash screen after the timer bar's
3rd lap. I thought it maybe the fact the computer only had 256mb
of ram with 32mb of that being used by the mobo for graphics so I
put a 512 in... still no results.

I assume it is a hardware problem, i've tried 2 different xp sp2
disks now, but I don't want to recommend her spending any money if
it's not needed.

Computer spec...

Processor - Celleron 2.4Ghz
MSI VIA® ProSavageDDRT P4M266A » P4MAM-V
512mb ram
80gig ide hdd

Any help would be very very much appreciated!
Click to expand...

First - using a restore CD from another computer more than likely - if it
tried to work - killed everything.

I would try removing/unhooking everything other than necessities.

Motherboard/memory/hard drive/CDROM drive/video card/monitor/keyboard/mouse
and power for it all.

Try your install from there. When it asks where to put things - erase the
partitions (hope you backed up) and reboot - do not do anything else.. Go
through the install again and when it asks where to install - create two
partitions and format the first one. Then reboot. Then go through the
first part of the install again and when it asks where to install - delete
the partitions again - create one big one and continue the install.. What
you just did was insure that you have nothing left from the old install (at
this level of data access) and so the clean install will really be clean.
 
Thank you both for all you suggestions. Unfortunately after doing all your
ideas the install is still crashing at the same point.

Do you have any suggestions on what I could try now?

Thank you again for your assistance, I am very greatful.

Mark
 
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