Windows XP Installation Error - a new one

[Nack]

I am trying to install a new clean copy of Windows XP Pro (clean install, not upgrade) on a Thinkpad A20M with a new hard drive (so there should be no leftovers from old OSes). I updated the bios on the laptop to latest available before installing.

When Windows XP gets to the point where it says "Setup will complete in approximately: 39 minutes,"

It halts, and gives an error.

The setuperr.log has this information:

Error:

The signature for Windows XP Professional Setup is invalid. The error code is 6ba. The RPC server is unavailable.

Fatal Error:

Setup failed to install the product catalogs. This is a fatal error. The setup log files should contain more information.

The first thing I thought of was the upgrade bug (which is so common even MS admits it and has posted a solution for it). Unfortunately, this is a clean install of XP, so the fix for the upgrade bug of renaming of catoot2 to catold will not fix it (and I tried it just in case anyway). This also can't be a product activation problem (at least I dont' think so), since it hasn't even prompted me to enter the CD Key yet, and has not requested any activation procedures.

I was going to file a support request with M$, but you can't do that without a product ID, and you don't get a product ID until after you install. All I have right now is the CD key that came with the software. This is a brand new full version not upgrade legal copy of Windows XP Professional (the one with the hologram all over the CD that says Genuine Microsoft).

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Nack

 

[bsobel]

Hi Nick,

That sure *sounds* like bad media. One way to check is (if you can use another machine) go burn a copy of the original install media and see if you get any errors. Even if you don't, try installing from the backup copy, perhaps your cd reader just doesn't 'like' that original cd for some reason (I've seen that happen before)

Good luck,
Bill

 

[Nack]

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think it is bad media, but I will try burning a copy just in case. I tried two different genuine microsoft Windows XP Pro CDs (I have Win XP Pro on another computer as well and I still have the media for it). I have also tried two different CD-ROM drives (I also had a similar laptop that had a compatible CD-ROM in it). Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Nack

 

[Nack]

I have now ruled out media and memory. Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Nack

 

[Bozo]

Did you format the hard drive?

Bozo

 

[ugh]

Did you try doing a search for that error message on Microsoft's website? It usually has some info on their KB.

 

[Nack]

Windows XP formats the hard drive prior to installation. That has not been a problem. I have also tried formatting it in advance, using quick format, and using regular format.

I have searched the Microsoft lack-of-knowledge base extensively. I found a very similar but not identical error message that pertained to upgrades from prior OSes only. I didn't think the fix would work, but I tried it anyway. I was right, it didn't work. Still no luck.

At this point I have ruled out the following as NOT being the problem:

Media - I have tried two different genuine Microsoft CDs, both give the same error.

Memory - I had two sticks of PC133 in there (which worked fine under Win98 before I replaced the hard drive with a new one and tried to load Win XP). The laptop runs on a 100MHz bus. I took one stick out, and got the same error. I took both of the PC133 sticks out, and put a stick of PC100 in there (which I know to be good), and got the same error.

Windows product activation - This problem occurs before the product key is even requested during the installation, and no reference to activation is made before during or after the problem occurs.

The CD-ROM drive - I have swapped out the Ultrabay 2000 CD-RW for another Ultrabay 2000 CD-ROM which I know to be good, and got the same error.

Hard drive - new hard drive, tests good, no errors during full (not quick) format. Quick format was also tried, but same error occured after all format types.

Nack