Thread: Windows Xp setup loops

  1. #1
    Hi ay_okay's Avatar
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    Windows Xp setup loops

    Hey guys! I've just got a new computer and I'm trying to install Windows Xp. I format the drive and setup copies the files. It then restarts(thats normal) and when it boots up its supposed to enter windows Xp. But it only loads the setup again! And when I boot from HD, it says invalid system disk. I can't get Xp! By the way, I have a 2.66Ghz P4 and a P4S800 Mb and 512 mb of RAM and 80Gb hard drive.

  2. #2
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    OMFG. Seriously... some people just aren't meant to work on this stuff. The setup will reload and continue... the whole process takes about 45 minutes or more. It will not boot to windows until the entire process has finished.

    Start it up and go watch a movie or something.

  3. #3
    Hi ay_okay's Avatar
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    I let it continue and ended up installing Xp again, and again. While I'm doing that it says that its not wise to install more than 1 Os's on one partition. Setup does NOT continue.

  4. #4
    Registered User Bajanine's Avatar
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    1. Create an unattended installation disk, lots of information on the web.
    2. Wipe your drive.
    3. Insert CD.
    4. Go watch a movie as ober suggested and don't touch it until morning!
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    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    Where's captain obvious when you need him

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    After you have inserted your XP cd, configure the partitions or whatever else you want to do. When this is done winXP will copy the files needed and reboot your PC so far so good. When your PC restarts, dont hit any keys, if you do so it will take you again on the first step, im pretty sure this is what is happening to you. Then you will see the XP loading logo and from here the installation is easy.
    When no one helps you out. Call google();

  7. #7
    PC Fixer-Upper Waldo2k2's Avatar
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    yeah you're probably hitting the key when it wants to press any key to boot from cd...
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  8. #8
    Hi ay_okay's Avatar
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    When I don't press anything, the system reboots, and the second time, it just clears the screen and all I can see is a blinking cursor in the top left corner. So I wait for half an hour and nothing happens. Ctrl + alt + del doesn't work there either. I've tried to install with 2 hard drives now. One NTFS and one FAT32.

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    You are not doing the installation correctly, thats all i can say. The install is very easy and straight forward. But anyway you can go here for more details http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316941
    When no one helps you out. Call google();

  10. #10
    Hi ay_okay's Avatar
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    I guess no one can help then.

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    Format both hard drives to have the same file system, NTFS is good. Then partion one of them and give it some space for the boot sector, select the other to install XP, let it finish, when its done, dont remove the XP cd, dont hit any keys, and your done.
    When no one helps you out. Call google();

  12. #12
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    when you see the blinking cursor, just let it go. I once did an install of XP Pro and the graphical update did not show anything. I just let it sit there for about an hour and finally it showed me something.

    Let it start and WALK AWAY.

  13. #13
    Hi ay_okay's Avatar
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    alright, I'm letting it go, I just started it now at(the time this was posted).

  14. #14
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ay_okay
    I guess no one can help then.

    At least you get it.

  15. #15
    Hi ay_okay's Avatar
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    Thanks for trying and for poking fun. I found out how to do it. I have a western digital HDD, and I heard rumors that it doesn't like being on the same IDE tape as another drive. So I put my CD_ROM drive on the other tape(secondary as master) and it worked. I also deleted the partitions on the drive in setup(before copying files) and instead of quiting I pulled the plug. Then I started it up and everything went fine. In case anyone else has this problem!

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