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Problem reloading XP

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by joseallegro, 2008/07/30.

  1. 2008/07/30
    joseallegro

    joseallegro Inactive Thread Starter

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    One of our older systems was not starting properly so I got the original XP CD and rebooted with the CD in the bay hoping to re-install it. I had saved all important data, so I was not worried about losing all data at the reinstall if I had to reformat or whatever it took to get it going.

    The process began uneventfully but about 1/3 into the load it prompted me for the CD with the SP2 files. I had no disk, so I clicked OK since the XP install disk has a label that said "Includes SP 2 ". At that point the installation began to hang up, and now it asked for the disk with i386. Again I clicked OK and nothing happened. Now when I try to restart the computer it comes up to that point where it asked for the files and hangs up.

    I attempted to use another XP disk hoping it would book from the CD and maybe take me to the format window but no luck. I even tried to back load it with a Windows 2000 disk, figuring if it worked I could always upgrade it. Nothing! I even downloaded SP2 onto a CD and tried to feed it into the bay when it asked for it. Same results.

    So now the computer is stuck on a window that keeps asking for the Windows XP SP2 disk and I have nothing more to offer it!

    I would appreciate any comments or ideas as to how to proceed!

    Thanks

    Jose
     
  2. 2008/07/31
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    I would take the option off the cd and delete then recreate the partitions.
     

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  4. 2008/07/31
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    FYI - from my notes .....
     
  5. 2008/07/31
    joseallegro

    joseallegro Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks for your replies.

    When I turn the computer on it doesn't read the CD to boot - it just seems to go straight to the point where the first install failed with the message "Continuing Setup . . . "

    I've tried breaking the post at startup with Ctrl C - with Ctrl Break and no luck. It appears there is no way I can get to the hard drive or any other part. I even tried booting from a floppy disk that has with a system file but only got to drive A: Could not switch over to C: or D:

    Seems that unless I can figure out some way to give it a Windows XP SP 2 disk in drive D it will continue to hang. :mad:

    Last resort is to replace the hard drive since I did manage to pull out all the important data and I have disks to reload the applications on the new drive.

    Thanks again for your suggestions.

    JA
     
  6. 2008/07/31
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    If the machine has a floppy drive, you can get a Win98 boot disk from www.bootdisk.com

    Can boot off it...Run FDISK and zap the partitions/recreate the partitions.
     
  7. 2008/07/31
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    How did you proceed from there? A repair install or an attempted 'over the top' install without format?

    Can you boot from a W98 boot disk and fdisk the drive?

    If not try a nuke disk - http://www.dban.org/
     
  8. 2008/07/31
    joseallegro

    joseallegro Inactive Thread Starter

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    I attempted a total re-install - first responding to the prompt to delete the partition - then indicating I wanted to format the drive - agreeing that all data would be erased and then Win XP to be installed. I've done this on other systems several times with no problem - this must be a rogue machine!

    I'll try the Win 98 boot with Fdisk. Will inform you of results!

    Thanks!

    JA
     
  9. 2008/07/31
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Strange - I'd try nuking the drive, unless I can come up with something better than 'maybe there is a problem with the install CD' :)

    You may also find software at the manufacturer's site for clearing the drive ....

    ExcelStore ....
    http://www.excelstor.com/en/download.asp
    Hitachi .....
    http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
    Samsung ....
    http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/support/utilities/Support_HUTIL.html
    Seagate, Maxtor, Quantum .....
    http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/
    Western Digital ....
    http://support.wdc.com/download/
     
  10. 2008/08/01
    joseallegro

    joseallegro Inactive Thread Starter

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    Problems re-loading XP

    I was able to start the system with a Windows 98 boot disk but had to mickey mouse the start since it kept giving me only drive A:

    I finally got to drive C: where I ran an FDISK - clearing the partitions. Then I booted again with the XP Install CD in the bay, but it hangs there. Thinking I could have a bad XP CD I used a different CD and got the same results.

    Final conclusion - nuke the drive and for about $60 get a new hard drive. That will resolve the issue.

    Thanks for all your suggestions.

    JA
     
  11. 2008/08/01
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Did you use Fdisk to recreate one or more partitions?
     

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