windows xp stops responding on install at 34 mins left

[btbam]

now im trying to do a fresh install and the pc keeps freezing at 34 minutes of the xp setup screen...

ive rebooted 4 times

anyone know what the problem can be?

 

[MrChad]

Could be a scratched CD.

I've also seen memory problems cause this. Download and run Memtest86.

 

[btbam]

how can i run memtest on the pc if it has no OS

 

[jbh129]

memtest runs a bootable floppy. thats how. it is not a windows program. PEBKAC

 

[Daniel]

Is it an old cd/dvd drive? I had the exact same problem over and over again until I googled for awhile and ended up swapping out my old 6x dvd drive and the install went flawlessly.

 

[btbam]

I installed the OS on this Pc the other day using this drive, I had to reinstall because of a mobo swap.

 

[drag]

Memtest86 is aviable in cdrom format if you don't have a floppy.
http://www.memtest86.com/

If your using a AMD64 machine their memory controllers are tricky. If your using 400mhz (in ddr speed, of course) you have to make sure that your putting the RAM in the correct slots. Incorrect slots may only be able to do 333mhz. I had this happen on a machine that I was building and it would cause the WinXP install to lock up at the same time.

 

[Skippy81]

Could you be more specific about where the installation hangs - is it during the hardware detection stage for example?

If this is the case remove any graphics or pci hardware if possible. I am unable to install windows with my Ati Radeon 9800 Pro card, so I swap it out for an old avance logic gfx card, and then install the 9800 after a sucessful winxp install.

Other than hardware troubleshooting, the aforementioned memtest and cd drive swap are both well worth checking.