Windows Installation Sticks

I have just "repaired" my windows XP install using the CD, and it is now on the stage where it is installing devices. This is after the initial reboot, after it has copied all the files accross.

The installer gets stuck, about 2/3 of the way to the end, at about 34 minutes remaining. I say stuck, because it does not freeze or crash (The animations keep playing as normal)... it just stops there. I left it for 2 hours and it didn't get past that point. There is nothing on screen. There could be a hidden dialouge box, but I can't alt-tab to it, or press Enter or Esc to clear anything that I can't see. CTRL+ALT+DEL does not work either.

If this can't be fixed, is there a way to force access to protected user files in the Documents and Settings folder? It is essential that I get access to these settings and data stored in there, either by getting the OS to install again or letting another install on another partition access them. I can't get into safe mode to do this, because it just whinges on about setup not being able to work in safe mode.

I *have* to get either the OS to work, or access to my old account's files. I need either one of these to work!

 

I had the same problem once and, as simple as it may seem, the install CD was scrached. So check that.

If that does not work you could boot using Hiren's BootCD or using a Live Linux CD like Ubuntu live to recover your files.

 

The CD was not scratched, I tried cleaning it and got the same result, it looks flawless.

I would really prefer to get this repaired installation back.

 

I probably wont be able to help you that well but others will probably ask for your setup. I would say that it sounds like a hardware or driver problem. Check for bad RAM using Memtest 86+. If you have a RAID setup, you might need to install third party drivers before install.

 

suggest you see "Install Windows XP to a new folder" here.

 

I have tried installing windows to a folder with a different name on the same harddisk on the same PC, and it works fine. It just seems to stick on the repair thing.

Even though this is on the same harddisk, it won't let me access my old files. But, would it work if I installed again in the the /windows folder but chose a different username? Would that leave "My Documents" and the settings contained in there intact, and could I access it then?

 

You would have to take ownership of the old 'My Documents' to view it.

 

How?

 

Are you using Pro or Home ?

 

Home Edition

 

have u checked to see if your cd drive is working properly?

 

Drive is working fine, like I said, I reinstalled successfully on this same computer to a different directory. The only problem, is that I want to do a repair, not a full reinstall!