Cannot install Windows XP

[Lupin26]

I bought Windows XP Home and when I tried to install it, half the files could not be installed because of this error:

"The file Setup placed on your hard drive is not a valid Windows XP system image. If you are installing from a CD, there may be a problem with your Windows XP CD"

When I tried to install my Windows 2000 CD, it gave me the same error message expect replacing the "XP" with "2000", so I know it's not the CD. And everytime I tried to install either, files that would install and wouldn't would never be the same- i.e. on one attempt, the file THE.exe or whatever would install, and the next attempt it would give me the error message and wouldn't install the file. Does anyone have any solution to this? My PC's mobo is a VIA chipset, and I'm running two 933 PIIIs, even though the startup says I'm running two 466s.

Thanks,
Lupin26

[hobey19]

i hate gotten this error a couple of times. once, the problem was with the HD, and the other time it was with the ram. i would recommend running memtest86 to test your ram, and find the diagnostic for your HD and run it as well

craig

[dontstay]

maybe its the cd-rom drive?

[dontstay]

iv had a bad cd-drive which i couldnt install xp on b4

[Lupin26]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know if it could be the cd-rom because I've tried my cd-rw and my dvd-rw to install it, and got the error message using both. I wish I didn't need the files, but when I reboot after installing it and when Windows XP loads up for the first time, it immediately just stops.

[hobey19]

does it ever get to the gui? or does it stop when copying files?

it sounds like a HD/RAM problem, but thats just me

craig

[1BADSS10]

I have installed XP on a dozen different systems. The instance in which I received the error message that you are describing turned out to be the RAM. Swap out your memory module for a known/tested good module. install it into the same slot that the other came from. If XP still does not install, if possible, move the RAM module to a different slot and try again. BTW, the brand of HDD that you are trying to install on to is?

[Lupin26]

I don't even remember the name of the ram, it's so old. I think my best bet is to just build a new one, since I don't want to put anymore money into this one.

Hobey, it lets me install the files that are allowed to be installed, and after that is completed and I reboot, WinXP loads up, but when it gets to the actual gui XP where installation is continued, one of the infamous error screens come up with the dark blue background. Maybe if I keep trying to install it, I'll get lucky and the necessary files will be installed (?)

Lupin26

[hobey19]

like i said, your best bet would be to try the ram and HD tests to at least eliminate those as possibilities. i mean, you can't do anything with it anyway, so you might as well try. if you can get it working, that will be a nice system

craig

[eldon]

In every case where I had a similar problem,it was a bad memory stick,not saying this is your case,but I would look into that first.

[Lupin26]

I'm going to try running memtest86 to test the ram, and run the diagnostic for the HD. It would be great if one of them was the problem, cause it'd be a cheap fix. Sorry for the newbee question, but how do I run these two? I have no OS installed, and couldn't locate either in the BIOS.

Also, how would I know which type hard drive/ ram to get? I have a 20gb now and 2 sticks of 256mb ram, but am not sure which type they are. The system was built three years ago. Would it be written on the parts? I'm not sure which ones I could buy that would be compatible with my via chipset mobo.

Thanks,
Lupin