WIndows XP wont install!!!

[dillondude]

I was going to wipe clean my hard drive and re install windows like ive done on many other of my computers, so i follow the usual routine and run the boot program, but once its finished and starts running the install and setup part an error occurs and the "installation cannot be completed". !! Every time it does it. Ive tried making a new partition, formating the drive on my other computer, and even installing it on a different hard drive that i installed. But still the same thing. My only guess is that my cd is somehow damaged. its the stock cd that came with it but yeah im just outa luck.
its a dell Dimension 3000 with a 40 gig hard-drive. Anyone know what the problem is? The error is that it cannot install the I386 Files. yeah Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Cricket]

Replace the IDE or SATA cables.

Test the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic utility.

Test the RAM with Memtest86+.

Check the motherboard for bulging or leaking capacitors.

:) Cricket

[Truckman36]

Had much same problem..ended up replacing my dvd rom with another i had and to my surprise xp loaded without a hitch..i even bought a new copy of xp . hard to believe my cd rom wouldn't load it but if you have spare, worth a try.

[dillondude]

Im not sure what the IDE or SATA cables are, but i already replaced the ribbon cable to the hard drive, and i am currently trying the different cd drive but the installation seems to just be stalled still. its been saying 39 minutes left for around 30 minutes haha. I used a hard drive copy utility to copy the hard drive from this computer and i ran the computer with lots of display isues since the drivers and all were missinhg but it still ran windows so my ram is still good i guess. Wow really all i can think is that my cd is damaged. is that even possible? errrggg this is frustrating

[FLG]

Try cleaning the CD with some soap and water and drying it with a soft towel.

[dillondude]

Well that didnt do anything either. Can i install any other OS if windows isnt installed yet? Like Linux of some kind?

[kev7555]

Could be a bad RAM card. If you have access to another computer download memtest and test the RAM.

If you have tried this on more then one hard drive, then the hard drive is not likely the problem.

Are you :

Booting from the XP CD,
Choosing to delete all partitions,
Creating a new partition,
Allowing XP to do a full format?

-Kev

[dillondude]

yeha ive done all those that you mentioned except test the RAM but i got it to run the windows off this computer like i said in the first post so i really dont know what the deal is. How do i run memtest from this computer?

[FLG]

Here, instead of memtest download UBD (has a bunch more extras).

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

Take the iso and burn it to a CD and boot off of it. Test your HDD and your Memory.

[Disgrace]

I had a Windows installation problem. 1 of my sticks of RAM was defective. A lot of people with same cause it seems.

[dillondude]

Well the RAM didnt do a thing. I switched it out with another stick i had and still the installation wouldnt complete. Ive tried everything! What on earth could cause it still?

[FLG]

Did you download UBD and do the tests? Its still possible it is a RAM problem. Swapping will only work if its 1 stick thats the problem.

[dillondude]

I couldnt figure out how to run it. Stupid i know but yeah. But i only have one stick in it.

[FLG]

What burning software do you have?

[glc]

www.memtest.org

Download the precompiled package for floppy and make the boot floppy as per the readme in the zip file.

[dillondude]

I tried it with Sonic record now, Infra recorder, and IMG burn, thanks im going to try the floppy one.

[Mike Hawthorne]

HI

I had a similar problem recently; the answer for me was my usb keyboard.

When I plugged in a standard key board the installation picked up where it was stalled and went right though. For some reason the Windows installer can't deal with some usb devices especially keyboards and mice.

Don't know if this applies to you but it was worth mentioning.

Mike