Preparing HD For XP

Hi all, yes I know I am keeping you Guy’s busy. I am attempting to install Windows XP on a HD that had a badly corrupted version of Win 2000 on it including Viruses.
Seagate 40Gig ATA IDE drive so I downloaded the "Seagate Utilities" and did a Zero Fill Drive (Full) to clean it up complete. It did all that I then used the Seagate Utilities to prepare the drive for a XP install All Clear. But when installing XP, Setup can not complete the Install. I get this message:
The following value in the .SIF file used by Setup is corrupted or missing: Value 0 on the line section [Source Disk Files] with key "SP1.cabâ€
Setup cannot continue.
I did the Zero Fill Drive again and the Windows Full Format but no go same message.
Any idea??
Hawk22

 

It sounds as though the Windows CD is dirty. Try cleaning it with a lint-free cloth to remove grease, fingerprints and the like.

 

If cleaning the CD doesn't solve the problem, boot with the CD and delete the partition(s) and remake them and then install XP. That should remove any data etc. left behind by the disk utility.

 

It sounds like you are doing a remote installation and not using a CD at all, but instead have opted for a saved copy from another machine on a network or an image and the product key has been improperly coded as "SP1.cab ". If this is the case, you are going to have to manually edit the Setup Information Files at the source location to include a valid key.

I could be way off base here, but perhaps you can share a little more information as to what kind of medium you are using to do this installation. One should not encounter this error from an original XP Disc - or lets say its highly unlikely.

 

Hi, and thanks, The XP CD that was given to me to Install, direct no remote stuff no, The PC is a old Pentium III 866 MHx 384 mb of Ram.
I will try and give it a clean and maybe create a new partition on the drive to install too. When I did the Zero Fill booting from the 2 Floppys from Seagate I did tick ready for SP1 or greater on the Menu, but then when Windows gave me the error I did it again without the tick for SP1 or greater.But the same error reading.
hawk22

 

You can probably google this but I do believe you will need to edit the .SIF file - I can't be 100% sure but I believe the disc you are using was made specifically for an unattended installation and I don't think its simply a matter of a dirty CD. Be forewarned, you could also run into the WGA issues with this type of medium.

 

Hi, Just to report back, that sparrows sugestion to make a new partition on the selected drive did the trick. I made a 20 gig C: partition on the 40 gig drive and she went as good as gold. Thanks Guys, you done it again.
hawk22