Keep getting VXD errors, trying to install XP/98

[Nebben]

I'm trying to install WindowsXP from within a Win98 installation. Normally I would go for a clean format and installation, but I couldn't --

During the XP installation after booting from the CD, I'd get random file copy errors. It said the usual "make sure the cd is clean, blah blah" but it wouldn't even try to reread from the CD when I hit retry -- just gave the same message. I tried multiple times to no avail.

So, I tried installing 98 and then installing XP from within 98, but at the same point as I'd get the errors, I'm now getting BSOD VXD errors.

Is the RAM in this machine shot, or what?

Getting very frustrated. Win98 installed fine, but I don't want 98 on this machine, I want XP

 

[mikecel79]

Try running memtest to check the memory. Many XP installs fail because of bad memory. The Windows 98 install is just not nearly as demanding on the machine as XP is.

 

[Nebben]

Okay.. one question, though, where's memtest? I've never used that utility before. Is it on the XP cd?

 

[mikecel79]

You can find it here

 

[mechBgon]

Also, post full specs if possible.

 

[Nebben]

I ran Memtest, and on both sticks of RAM it found problems right around the 215MB mark.

System specs:

Asus MEW Motherboard
Celeron 500mhz
2x256MB PC133 SDRAM
Western Digital 8.0GB HD

Pretty much everything else is integrated.

Is there any possible way to workaround the bad RAM? (I'm guessing no, I've never heard of anything like that anyway.)

 

[mechBgon]

Is the power supply healthy? If in doubt, try a known-good, high-quality power supply as a fact-finding step.

 

[Nebben]

Yes it is -- I just replaced it with one that I know is working great. The old one was having problems so I ditched it.

Pretty much everything in this system has been tested with a replacement (or simply has been removed for the time being) and it *has* to be the RAM.

But is there any way to deal with this other than replacing it... I don't want to have to tell the owners of the computer (my parents) that they need to spend MORE money to fix this. They've been having terrible luck lately, several components deciding to die completely.

I have a 128MB stick of PC100 SDRAM that I could try, but the drop from 512MB to 128MB might really hurt performance

They only use the computer for web browsing and email, basically, so maybe that's not too terrible after all.