Windows XP Install help

[Mavtech]

I never thought I would have to ask for help installing Windows. But, here goes:

I've never had this issue before. I have a friends computer that I loaded his Windows XP Pro onto. It worked fine for me. Everthing loaded. For some reason, he said some drivers for a printer screwed everything up. So, he wanted to re-install Windows. Well, while it's copying the install files to the hard drive, it fails and says a file didn't copy properly. He tried about 10 times. It's a different file every time. Now, it's done the same thing to me 3 times. I watched the same file it said the last time copy fine the next. But, it's a different file that it says it doesn't copy properly. I've tried 2 different install disks. Same result. It's a new hard drive. So, this has happened with 2 different HDs. I also switched the IDE cable out. It is also a second DVD Drive. What else is there? Any ideas? Thanks.

Mav

 

[Dave n Daytona Beach]

I have had that happen twice & both times the CD-ROM drive was defective.

Good Luck

 

[nihl8tor88]

You can try booting a Win98 boot disk.
at A: format the c: drive and copy the i386 folder to the hard drive.
You'll need to load smartdrv.exe before copying, or you'll have as much fun as
watching grass grow.
run the install off of the hard drive.
if it works , i will accept traveller's cheques

 

[awolkoff]

could be a scratched/defective CD. I've had that problem with similar symptoms. You can borrow a friend's disk and just input your product ID number when prompted. Good luck.

ASW

 

[Mavtech]

Thanks for the suggestions. I know it's not the CD or the DVD drive. I have use 2 install disks and 2 different drives. I'm going to give copying the i386 to the drive a try tonight.

Isn't there a DOS proggy to test memory in DOS?? Just curious because it may be bad ram.

 

[syconub]

OMG i have EXACT PROBLEM with mine! It is always the .DLL files, I called compusa to get a HD exchange, which i will be doing, and the guy i know there which i talk to alot says taht it sounds like a HD failiure. So maybe its ahrd drive. I tried 4 different cds, and I tried millenium. I also switched out the ide cables with a custum cable, and i also tried using a different cd drive. I am going to get a new HD and report back, and if it works tell your friend to get a replacement

BY the way, my hard drive is seagate baracudda 7200 rpm 200 GB

 

[Mavtech]

I got it all figured out! I ran MEMTEST86 on it. It was bad memory all along. I switched out the dimms until I found the bad one. XP is all installed now. I hate supporting my friend's computers.

 

[D1gger]

You got that right. I can't count the number of times I have bailed out a friend after they trashed their computer, only to have them blame me the next time they download a virus or delete a needed data file. I only help anonymous people on the forums now.,

 

[Mavtech]

Does anyone else have a friend or friends that seem to always screw their computer up? The last time I fixed it up for him, it was working flawlessly. He had it for 2 weeks and called me and told me he was trying to reinstall windows because a printer driver messed it up. I always tell people it's most likely the ID10T error. Tell them to write it down. Gets them every time.

 

[syconub]

so wait, how exactly did you fix it? explain hot to, cause im about to do the window manuveur with my computer

 

[bryan1028]

Yeah, I had the same problem when I built my computer, and it was a problem with the memory I had bought. Check that before you blame a defective hard drive.

 

[Mavtech]

Here's the program I used to discover it was bad ram

http://www.memtest86.com/

You can use the ISO image to make a bootable CD to test the Ram.

 

[syconub]

omg i feel liek an idiot. I went to the msi website and figured out that it couldnt suppport my ddr400 ram, i need slower ram. I havent seen if it will work jsut yet, but im pretty sure of it.