Generally speaking, installing Windows XP, either Home or Professional, is a walk in the park. Guided by pretty colors, loading bars that beam back and forwards and constant Microsoft messages that reassure you that you have made a worth while purchase, which is Microsoft Windows XP. However, at this important stage of file decompression, decoding and decrypting and extracting tyrant sized Windows files, odds are that your computer is highly susceptible to fault at this stage. However, theoretically speaking, certain problems with install might cause a lot of variables to turn sour, and as a whole, cause your install of Windows XP to become possessed to the core. Thankfully, most problems are solvable by yourself, just before you use the hammer, miscellaneous computer accessory, or your fist to manually correct the issue.
We have researched and listed 5 of the most common Windows XP install problems and have outlined their cure and we have also provided additional support to search the cure for your problem if it is not one of the 5 most common.
1. Problem 307119
There are no error messages with this fault. Your computer hangs and crashes after typing your username and password straight after ‘upgrading’ Windows XP over Windows 98, Windows 98 Second edition or Windows ME. Microsoft’s resolution is simple, manually restart computer. It is rather concerning to try and estimate how restarting your computer, in the long term, actually fixes the problem. You can find the documented issue here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307119
2. Problem 320397
This problem gives you an error message “NTLDR is missing” when you start your computer. The evil possessing your computer is rather complex. When you copy many large files to a root folder, the master file table allocation index (MFT) does not reduce to its original size, and therefore causes some hard disk issues. As complicated as it sounds, the resolution is as well, requiring boot disks and diagnostic tools to fix the problem. Since I have personally experienced this, installing Windows Professional onto Windows XP Home, fixing it was very frustrating and time consuming. Make sure you leave fixing this problem to a weekend, you’ll need it! You can find the documented issue here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320397
(Note: this article number changes a lot due to discoveries about this issue, if the problem number is not the same as listed here, search ‘NTLDR’ in one of the methods listed at the end of this article)
3. Problem 307153
This problem exists when you upgrade from Windows 98, Windows 98 Second edition, Windows ME or Windows XP Home (all to Windows XP Professional). This cause is when the install setup does not delete a temporary folder during removal. The simple cure is renaming the folder that the setup did not delete. However it’s a little harder that it appears. You can find the documented issue here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307153
4. Problem 310760
This problem is when the installation of Windows XP halts when the message of “Setup is starting Windows” is displayed. This error is caused by a number of variables. However, the most common is an incompatibly old motherboard BIOS or SATA disk drivers that aren’t loaded. You can find the documented issue here: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310760
5. Problem 313041
This error is when “i386Win9xupgW95upg.dll” cannot be loaded and installed when Windows XP is being installed over Windows 98, Windows 98 Second edition or Windows ME. You can resume the installation of that component by manually launching the installer for that component that failed to automatically install. You can find the documented issue here: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313041
If, and it is anticipated, your particular error is not in this article, and you can’t find them on Microsoft’s Support Site, all your problems should be solvable at Helpwithwindows.com:
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/setup05.html.
Windows-Help.NET links articles on the Official Microsoft Support Site, and allows a prompt access to information about your setup issue, without using Microsoft’s KB (Knowledge Base) search tool, which when writing this article, I simply could not find any information of 3 of the most common errors above. Using Windows-Help.NET is a must to find an answer to your problem, without wasting a month looking for it.
Wayne said:
10/21/2007 11:36 pm
I was installing xp home on new hard drive. At accept
press f8. Was using wireless microsoft keyboard nothing
happened SHUT OFF computer to get a wired keyboard.
Now all I get is a blue screen and blinking cursurs
Please help
[Reply]
jean paul said:
10/25/2007 10:07 pm
i installed windows xp pro over windows 2000 pro and left it on its own to do what it needed to do. On final restart, there is no screen. I see windows xp loading then the screen goes blank. if i go into safe mode, i do come up with a basic desk top with most of my icons of previous software. xp seems to have installed properly at least in working with it in safe mode, but like i said, a blank, dark screen, not even blue. nada.
[Reply]
Eugene.W reply on August 27, 2008 2:29 am:
There is no way that you can just install a windows over a windows. Unless the media CD you have is a upgrade CD. The proper way to get things to work is to extract all the data you need from your previous windows, do a clean format of your HDD. Lastly, install Windows XP using the CD you have. Get all your drivers for XP. There you have it, your system won’t give you any problems after this.
[Reply]
Alan Clarke said:
11/26/2007 5:02 pm
My computer was running WINDOWS 2000 PROFESSIONAL. When I upgraded to WINDOWS XP, I ended up with two operating systems and none the data or programs were exported. This is not what I expected to happen being that I was a UNIX admin and have upgraded operating systems many times. What can I do to have one system????
Alan
[Reply]
Eugene.W reply on August 27, 2008 2:34 am:
Likewise for you Alan, refer to the above method. However, if what you have is a upgrade media CD, you won’t need to use the above method. Just make sure the installation directory you select is C:\WINDOWS and not other directory.
[Reply]
Zoran said:
12/16/2007 4:24 pm
I was repairing my XP installation on my PC. After selecting R in options menu setup has started. After copying those needed files and when XP was restarting, blue screen has poped up and it was telling me “Setup has been restarted………” and it’s not going on. Can you help on this error!
[Reply]
Peter said:
12/18/2007 8:32 pm
I tried to install Windows XP, after formating my C: drive.Everything was going fine, until the FIRST ‘Automatic Restart’ stage. At this stage, it hangs with “Windows XP Start up” Screen.
[Reply]
Jan said:
12/29/2007 5:51 pm
I just formated my harddrive and when i am installing XP ( copy of files to harddrive just after you made a new partion) the installation stops at 83% every time, have tried with 2 diffrent CD-Rom’s and 2 diffrent harddrives and it does the same thing stops at 83% and tells me the file is not a windows XP imagefile hit “enter to retry” and nothing happent.
[Reply]
bob borum reply on August 9, 2008 4:12 pm:
I am having a hard time programing my dell gx110 , it has a new mother board ,new hard drive ,new memory boards have changed cpu ,it will not finish install . it will take the install to the end but wgen it restarts it returns to start boot ,all is lost . on the start it goes thru boot ,you have to hit f1 or f2 to get it to start the disk and at restart command it requires the same f1 or f2 ,I feel something is wrong with the boot set up . I really don’t know any help I would be grateful . bob borum
[Reply]
Khumalo said:
1/9/2008 9:55 am
When Iam loading Windows XP in a machine, sometimes I get a message that says such a file cannot be copied because the CD is dirt or insert the original CD. And yet it displays this message while the CD is yet there. I don’t know, Can you assist?
[Reply]
tom said:
1/16/2008 2:21 pm
hi, i’m trying to install windows XP PRO on my laptop.
it gets to the setup stage, and it gets to 12% after about 3 hours, and it does not move from there?
apparently it should not take this long to install??
can anyone please help!!
x
[Reply]
Steve said:
1/24/2008 7:40 pm
Hi,
I’m having trouble installing winxp pro. During the start of the installation, an error pops up stating various files cannot be copied (different each time). I’ve tried 3 different xp pro discs (1 is brand new). I’ve tried replacing the hard drives, dvd drive, ide cable, and even the mobo and processor. What the heck?
[Reply]
Tony H reply on May 28, 2008 2:07 pm:
Im having the same problem with my laptop,do you have the answer to fix this?I have tryed 3 disc of XP,same thing
contact me
Tony
[Reply]
Benjo said:
2/23/2008 1:08 pm
Hi,
I’m having trouble installing winxp pro.
I try to install winxp , and when i put xp cd in cd-rom
,suddenly appears black screen about 10-15 min. and then Win XP installation screen and after I press entrer there’s
appear message:”Win xp installation cannot continue becouse HDD is no connected (no appears), connect hdd and then continue install xp ” (But in BIOS it’s appear HDD). I don’t know. Please Help me. Thanks .Very much.
[Reply]
Glyn said:
2/24/2008 4:30 pm
help
got a new PC (quad core intel pentium4)
cant install xp or vista
keeps coming up with random errors
Linux works fine
just nothing Microsoft works (office, Vista ,XP)
could it be hardware compatibility problems and how can I resolvve?
[Reply]
Elias said:
3/7/2008 4:48 pm
Hi, I bought a new harddrive and when I want to install windows it all runs perfectly and it creates a partition and formats it and installs windows but when it says “restarting in 15 secs” and begins the count down and restarts then it just gets stuck on a black screen with a blinking hyphen (-) at the top left of the screen and nothing happens at all! Please help me.
[Reply]
mike reply on August 12, 2008 6:19 pm:
I’m having exactly the same problem with the restarting in 15 second reslting in a reboot and then a flashing cursor and nothing else. How did you fix yours?
[Reply]
Travis reply on August 27, 2008 8:56 am:
I am also having this problem. Does anyone know the fix?
[Reply]
kaylene said:
3/18/2008 12:02 am
I reformatted my pc then I installed windows xp everything went well with the installation until the pc had to restart. After restarting my pc just shuts down. When I tried to load windows xp my pc just shuts down, but I can go to safe mode where the screen is just blank. Help
[Reply]
TheSwede said:
3/21/2008 11:24 pm
Well here is the deal
I insert the xp disc i get to the part where i formatt and partion up the disc..so far so good after the first restart i get to the Windows set up screen and it says press “F6″ for Scsi and raid….. i dont touch anything and the word “False” fills the left side of the screen it seems that its scrolling the word “false” endlessly and the installation comes to a halt.
please help =)
[Reply]
Xavier said:
3/26/2008 6:34 am
Hi All,
My system got infected with virus thru a USB Pen Drive. I formated the Hard Disk and started to Reinstall Windows XP Service Pack 2. But after the setup started you get this blue screen which asks whether you want to install XP or repair it, Here I select the 1st option(ie to install xp). Now you get a message stating windows restarting…. Then I got a message stating that the Hard drive not found/installed properly. pls install the software provided by the manufacturer related to you hardware….. Or someting like that. I tried a couple of time but the system restarts from that point and then the system stops with this message
NTLDR missing
press ctrl+Alt+Del to restart the computer.
This is a loop which goes on and on. Is there a solution to this or did do something wrong..
This is very frustrating. Pls provide a solution as I’ve also tried the Hot Pluging of the Hardisk as a last resort as mentioned is one of the forums but the same result…..
Thank you
Xavier
[Reply]
simo said:
5/4/2008 6:36 am
Hi…my win resets everythime i came in…i tried everything…change cd-rom, hard disk, but it keeps doing that :S help me please
[Reply]
Chris said:
5/21/2008 11:33 am
My computer crashed so i put the original Windows XP home disk in my dvd-drive, I restarted my PC then the xp installation started it said that setup will restart. It restarts then thje windows xp boot screen appears and it stops with the 3 blue squares in the center of the screen can you help? what am i doing wrong?
many thanks
Chris
[Reply]
bang_t said:
6/29/2008 9:06 am
i have an hp500 notebook n want to install xp on it.
after inserting xp cd n change boot sequence to dvd drive first, it shows “Press any key to boot from CD”… then i press a key. the problem is nothing happen after that, it just shows blank screen.
i have try to boot using linux cd, it works fine.
please help me
[Reply]
farzie said:
7/23/2008 1:55 pm
hey i have a hp pavilion 700 and i want to install xp on it the original hdd had a virus attack
and i installed a new hdd not to get data loss
now my xp setup gets stuck at setup is loading winwodws i have let it load for more then a whole day
but didn’t load what do you think i can do
[Reply]
Keerthi teja said:
8/18/2008 2:28 am
When iam installing sp2 by booting, iam getting a message after selecting the partitions ” there r no startup files in the partitions ”
[Reply]
Rexie said:
8/23/2008 12:47 am
Hi,
I recently ‘aquired’ a virus on my new PC. And after attemping to remove it with my antivirus (which failed, it wouldn’t even load, growing tired of the insessant pop-up, and trying (and failing) to use System Restore (the only point available was created AFTER I got the virus!) I decided that I should try repairing windows (I’m using XP). So after reading an online tutorial http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How-to-repair-Windows-XP-t138.html on how to do it, I decided to have a go at it. So it all when well at first, until I was installing Windows. It asked me for a Nvidia Network Bus Installation Disc (or some, similar name) which I do not have. So I look online, find something similar, (I think) 9.64_nforce_winxp_english_whql.exe which I slap on my iPod (the biggest portable hard drive I have) which I plug in my PC, hoping to use it to instal the driver. (The pop-up offers the the chance to locate the file using a browser). When I return to the point when the pop-up comes up, I discover, to much disapointment. THat my mouse does not respond. Nor does my keyboard.
HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! (It had already uninstalled Windows, so I can’t just forget all this)
(And don’t bother calling me a dumbass… I know…)
(Seriously,… I know)
[Reply]
Eugene.W reply on August 27, 2008 2:54 am:
Hi Rexie,
If you really come up to this stage, there isn’t much you can do now. Except to do a clean format and re-install your Windows XP. The problem with your mouse and keyboard not responding might be due to system drivers corrupted. (If you happen to use the USB version)
Usually to be worry free about virus or spyware, there is a need to purchase a licensed copy of Antivirus. Of course, keep your definitions updated. Also for sake of system well-being, do a weekly scan of HDD. (A full scan would be ADVISABLE!). In case, you need a recommendation of anti-virus products, you can try Trend Micro Internet Security Pro or Kaspersky Internet Security. These are good brands which I have tried for the past 3 years. I never have problem with them around. (Symantec, Bitdefender & AVG products are not recommended)
[Reply]
Tom reply on October 12, 2008 1:38 am:
My PC was infected with an unknown virus (I didn’t get a chance to find out). While I was installing the fresh new XP, it constantly get power off during the formatting the disk phase (or some times at the copying window files). Please help. Thanks.
[Reply]
Roy Day said:
8/29/2008 6:54 pm
Hi
I have installed XP a number of times in the past without any problems. My son wanted his own PC after spending the last 2 years+ using mine. I had some older Computers in the loft that were running XP so I gave him one. I tried to start it up but it would not go past the first window showing the welcome scenery. I then fitted new hard disk and arranged for it to load from a CD. All went well untill it came to the we page that asked you to select the typ of instlation you needed, ie install a new complete XP continue, Repair windows XP, or cancel. it told you to press one of three buttons to select. My problem is pressing any of the buttons the setup does not switch and the computer acts as if it is locked. I tried the original hard drive but that acts just the same. I was told to format the discs first but there is path I can find to format with.
Can you help?
Roy Day
[Reply]
Eugene W. reply on August 30, 2008 9:21 am:
Hi Roy,
Judging from what you have described, I can most definitely confirm that the one that is giving the problem is your motherboard.
Just to check with you, exactly how long was it since you last used this particular machine?
[Reply]
Roy Day said:
8/30/2008 6:10 pm
Roy Day said:
8/29/2008 6:54 pm
Hi
I have installed XP a number of times in the past without any problems. My son wanted his own PC after spending the last 2 years+ using mine. I had some older Computers in the loft that were running XP so I gave him one. I tried to start it up but it would not go past the first window showing the welcome scenery. I then fitted new hard disk and arranged for it to load from a CD. All went well untill it came to the we page that asked you to select the typ of instlation you needed, ie install a new complete XP continue, Repair windows XP, or cancel. it told you to press one of three buttons to select. My problem is pressing any of the buttons the setup does not switch and the computer acts as if it is locked. I tried the original hard drive but that acts just the same. I was told to format the discs first but there is path I can find to format with.
Can you help?
Roy Day
Hi
I am not sure what you are asking me to do with regards your comment. I have given my name and have I thought indicated email will not be published. Please advice me what I should do to be able to submit my question.
Roy Day
[Reply]
Roy Day said:
8/31/2008 6:47 pm
Hi All
I have resolved my problem. It turned out to be a Brand new faulty keyboard that I bought for my Grandson a few years ago. It was never used and was still in it’s original box. I never thought being new and unused it would be the cause of the problem.
Roy Day
[Reply]
Robbielee said:
9/2/2008 11:29 am
Windows XP Pro will install OK up to the 34 min. mark then stops responding. I am loading it onto a Panasonic CF48 toughbook. I have had no other problems loading this OS onto the other panasonic models CF48 CF50 and CF51. Is there anything I could try? would reloading the BIOS version or even changing the BIOS version to match the board. Im operating from a panasonic BIOS for a CF48V series. Any suggestion would help at this point.
[Reply]
nothing said:
9/9/2008 12:19 pm
hi,
when i put the xp cd in and it comes to the part where you have to agree to the licence by pressing f8 nothing hapeens when i do that please help why does that happen i have tried three different keyboards and also two xp cds but the same problem
[Reply]
Parwaiz said:
9/15/2008 2:40 am
My PC was infected; I re-portioned the drive with Disk Manager then tried to install XP sp2. Setup copied files after copying completes a blue screen appears with installation options and PC shutdown with 3 long and 1 short beep.
Earlier I was facing problem with TV tuner application software. Can anyone help me out?
[Reply]
Trevor said:
10/6/2008 2:25 am
I’ve had the most frustrating weekend with a friends computer. I have installed XP many times and this is the first time I’ve had this issue:
If I install any version of windows below service pack 2 the PC gets to a point in the “Installing devices” section of the windows install and then resets, over and over. It just won’t allow me to install past that point. Any ideas?
[Reply]