XP Pro install stuck in endless loop

[kethnaab]

I am trying to install XP Pro from the CD onto a Windows Celeron 633 with 192 MB
of RAM and a 30GB HDD.

The computer recognizes the CD and HDD, asks if I want to install any 3rd party drivers
and the like (F6 button)

It keeps on going, formats using NTFS, starts copying files for installation, then
gets to a point that says 'This portion of setup has completed successfully, remove
any disks from the A:\ drive, computer will reboot in 15 seconds.'

so it reboots, and it goes through the cycle again.

It reads the CD, asks if I want to setup Windows XP, then says "hey, there
is already a \windows directory on the C:\ drive, do you want to do a dual
boot, do you want to delete the contents of this folder and install windows there,
or do you want to install to a separate directory", then it gives
some gibberish about checking the microsoft website for advice on dual booting.

It does this over and over and over again. I tried disabling ACPI in my
BIOS, and hitting F5 while setup was starting, but the F5 didn't seem to do
anything at all. I tried ejecting the XP CD ROM and restarting, but then it
starts up and says "Missng Operating System"

why the heck does XP insist on restarting, only to go through the exact same setup
steps again? And why can't I disable ACPI?

bah. thanks for any help.

this is driving me nuts.

 

[faenix]

I had a similar problem and the only solution was a clean format.

There are services that charge $$$$$$$ for data recovery but that's only if the information is dire.

Again, another person burned by not backing up. =T

 

[kethnaab]

whoa.

I had no information on the HDD, it was empty.

I think I did a "clean" install.

as in, there was nothing on there before I tried installing.

 

[kethnaab]

hurm

"couldn't open boot partition to check for a signature"

I caught this message before it rebooted, once again, into setup

any thoughts on this? PLEASE!?!?!

 

[Sideswipe001]

It appears that something is going on that's talked about here. Something is corrupting the master boot record. I'm assuming you start setup, do the full format (the whole drive as 1 partition, removing ALL other partitions) and then it copies files over before rebooting. Is this HD attached to a SCSI/ATA card, or plugged right into the motherboard? It might be drivers. If it's plugged right into the motherboard, try to get to recovery console and do repair of the master boot record.

 

[Smilin]

Ok, just checking the obvious here...

When you finish with text mode setup and reboot are you booting off your CD again? You should be booting from your hard drive at that point.

 

[kethnaab]

i tried booting from the hard drive

made adjustments in BIOS, ejected CD, etc.

no dice.

Sideswipe, that is interesting information, I'm going to look into that.

 

[oldman420]

i have the same prob there is a dos command to restore the mbr but i dont remember it
any one know this?

 

[oldman420]

go into windows setup enter the recovery console and type fixmbr that will do it

 

[kethnaab]

oh god

this is painful

i had the damn thing jumpered wrong.

it was jumpered as slave instead of master


*shakes head*

when all else fails, check the OBVIOUS.

*sheepish look on face, hands in pocket, looks at ground, scuffs foot in the dirt*

 

[Twista]

Originally posted by: kethnaab
oh god

this is painful

i had the damn thing jumpered wrong.

it was jumpered as slave instead of master


*shakes head*

when all else fails, check the OBVIOUS.

*sheepish look on face, hands in pocket, looks at ground, scuffs foot in the dirt*

*sheepish look on face, hands in pocket, looks at ground, scuffs foot in the dirt*

I will kick you in your ass right now! like in the simpson! *puts on my big boot and kicks u in the ass!*