Problems formating/installing Win XP Pro

Deltron · May 5th, 2003, 04:47 AM

I'm in the process of trying to do a clean format/install of Win XP.

When I get to the format screen, I try to do a format. The comp loads the progress bar, yet it doesn't seem to make any progress. It's as if the harddrive or cd rom is just hanging up. I'm able to do a quick format, but then then when the comp restarts, it starts hanging again at the win xp setup screen.

I'm unable to get any further. Has anyone seen this problem before?

Deltron · May 5th, 2003, 05:42 AM

I just plugged the HDD into another comp and tried do a format the same way (through dos) and through windows. Neither worked. Does this seem like the signs of a bad HDD?

shady06 · May 5th, 2003, 06:52 AM

try to get another hd and try it. the same thing happened to me but mine seems like a bad install problem rather than hardware

rpertusio · May 6th, 2003, 04:15 AM

You could also try "low level" formatting your drive. That should erase absolutely anything on the drive that could be causing the problem.

Most drives come with a disk (or CD) that has drive utilities. Check out your drive for problems, and then, low level format it if necessary.

(If you didn't get a disk/CD with your drive, or lost it, I can probably point you to where you can download a copy)

- rp

radio1_mike · May 6th, 2003, 07:54 AM

I had that problem when I installed XP Pro in Jan.

My problem was my memory. It took me a long while to figure THAT out...

Also, I just did an install for friend. I was having problems with his install of XP Pro.

Some general advice that helps (safeguards):

1) Use only one HD and one optical; each a master on their particular IDE channel. You can add in all your other drives, after the install.
2) Try using your lower speed drive (optical) to install from. Sometimes when I install XP, it actually goes faster with a slower drive; because if you use a faster drive the install will say a certain file may not be there or that the disk is bad and the install can hang.

Other than that, just run your HD's diagnostic DOS programs before, just to see to if your HD is operating properly.

rpertusio · May 6th, 2003, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by radio1_mike
I had that problem when I installed XP Pro in Jan.

My problem was my memory. It took me a long while to figure THAT out...

You know what, radio1_mike... you just sparked a memory (in my brain)! I forgot the time when I couldn't install WinXP. It was indeed a bad memory stick! I would keep getting strange errors of not being able to 'copy the installation files' and errors finding files on the CD.

Deltron, you should also try MemTest86 and check for faulty memory. (Simply create the disk, and boot from it. It will automatically start cycling through tests, and will loop until you stop it. Any errors are displayed on the lower half of the screen)

Thanks radio1_mike. I had forgotten about that. I need to run MemTest86 on my brain.. some faulty memory in there..

- rp

radio1_mike · May 6th, 2003, 02:25 PM

Glad to be of help!

It's good to know my week off of work at that time (spending it trying to install WinXP) does benefit someone!