error when installing xp pro. im stumped

[trOver]

so im putting a copy of xp pro on my laptop.
I boot from a cd, and it loads the setup.
As soon as its done loading files (right before when you can start the actual installation options), it comes up with an error screen.
The error screen says something about "if this is your first time with this error, restart, blah blah blah. It also says something about updating bios, and i did. It also says to make sure the bios has cacheing and stuff disabled, and im pretty sure it is.

Still wont work..

What should i do??

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

What you need to do is "blah blah blah."

Sorry, I couldn't resist. 🙂 Please tell us the exact error info and post the info on your laptop.

 

[trOver]

ugh...........

ok ill get the info sometime

 

[MrChad]

Almost all installation problems can be traced back to

1. A bad CD, or
2. Hardware failure.

In your case, I would test my RAM with MemTest and perhaps run some hard drive diagnostics.

 

[trOver]

i think it may be the cd...

 

[regnez]

If you are installing Windows onto a raid setup (whether you have more than one hdd or not), and you do not hit F6 when it asks, then you would get an error. I had the same problem when installing it on a build of my own awhile back.

 

[trOver]

im installing on a laptop, so no raid.

 

[michaels]

Same problem I am having.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: michaels
Same problem I am having.

And we gave you the same advice, but from your response it seems you won't consider a HW problem so there isn't much left to do help (other than the usual, update your bios, try a new cd, etc). Still think memtest is a good idea even if you think your old xp install was stable.

 

[trOver]

the laptop came from bestbuy w/ xp home already installed. could this lead to the problem? i willl have time tonight to try it again...

 

[gerwen]

Originally posted by: MrChad
Almost all installation problems can be traced back to

1. A bad CD, or
2. Hardware failure.

In your case, I would test my RAM with MemTest and perhaps run some hard drive diagnostics.

Do this first. XP install seems to fail on wonky Ram, even if there were no other symptoms prior to the install.