XP Pro will not install

[crank33]

I’m writing this with the full knowledge that there is no one on Planet Earth that can figure it out.

I built a new computer: Intel D845EBG2 MOBO, P4 2.4 GHz CPU, WD 60 Gb HD and 512 Mb Crucial RAM.

I formatted the drive and tried to load XP Pro. I got a message that said “This program cannot be installed from DOS”. OK, I should have known that, so I installed Win 98SE, made sure the start folder and temps were empty, shut down all programs that were running in the background, then tried to install XP as a clean install. About half way through loading files, XP stopped installing with the following message:

Fatal Error. An error has been encountered that prevents Setup from continuing. One of the components that Windows needs to continue setup could not be installed. The parameter is incorrect.

Error: Cannot load C:\windows\win9Xmig\DevUgrd\migrate.dll, rc=31

Error: Upgrade pack failed during process creation.

Error: Installation failed: F:\1389\asms

So I formatted again, installed 98SE again and tried to install XP as an update. Same fatal error. I then formatted and partitioned the drive and tried again to install XP as an upgrade over Win 98SE. then as a clean install. Same error every time. No matter how I approached it, I got the same error, so I gave up and am using the computer with Win 98SE on it. I admit, the thing runs Win 98SE beautifully.

This was a new HD, none of my files were on it, and I fdisk’d and formatted the thing carefully to make sure it was clean and ready.

One of these days, I’m going to try the XP install again----I just can’t resist it. Anyone have any ideas? Anyone from another planet have any ideas?

Thanks, Crank

[morriswindgate]

Re-Format your hard drive to get rid of the Windows 98 and the failed install. Next set the BIOS to boot from the XP CD and see if it will boot into the install program. If that does not work, go to the link below and download the "Windows XP Custom Install Disk" near the bottom. Make a floppy, reset your computer to boot from the floppy. Then when you get the A:\Prompt switch to the CD-ROM, which will be "R" on this boot disk. Then type

R:\CD\i386
Enter
R:\i386\winnt.exe

On the next screen erase the i386 so that only R:\ appears and hit enter. The disk will now copy to the hard drive. You may get file copy errors during this part, if so hit ESC and skip these files. It will correct later in the actual install.

http://www.bootdisk.com/original.htm

[crank33]

Thank you sir, I'm anxious to try it. Where you said "erase the i386 so that only the R:\ appears", is it supposed to read R:\ or R:\winnt.exe? Crank

[morriswindgate]

Just the R:\

[crank33]

Morris Windgate: I formatted the drive, booted to the WinXP CD and tried to install from there but I got a fatal error. Setup could not find the asms folder (located in i386). I tried the XP custom boot disk but that didn't work either (wouldn't boot from it) so I decided to extract the i386 folder to the HD. When the i386 folder wouldn't copy, I began to suspect I had a bad XP CD so I returned it and got a replacement which installed without any problems at all. So - and I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it myself - I had a defective (or damaged) WinXP CD. I have XP up and running now.....cool.

Thanks for your help. I really learned a lot the last couple days. Crank

[Tuf]

The odds of that are pretty slim. You should be safe for the rest of your life!

[morriswindgate]

One of the reasons that the XP install floppy exists is that there seems to be a common problem with the XP pro Disks not wanting to boot.
MS must have tried to save money or they have a problem in their code.

[Tuf]

I have done dozens of XP installs and I haven't had a bad one yet(knock on wood). Floppy install disks are for systems that can't boot from the CD, unattended installs and network installs. It might work for a defective CD but the defect would have to be in the right place.