Heya guys.

Been trying to install Windows XP for my friend this weekend, with no luck at all =(


Getting diffrent BSOD error codes doesnt really help either...
Tried diffrent RAM sticks, ROM drives, Sata disks, minimal HW connected, discs with Sp2\3 in them.. still no luck..

Our latest BSOD were pointing out STOP: c000021a ( 0x"unreadable" ),

The only common reoccuring problem we have so far, is that during the installation we're sometimes recive an error message about not beeing able to copy some files.... =(

Will keep posting with more information when I get some more error codes from our BSOD's written down so I dont have to try and remembering them straight out of my already boogled mind :P

Welcome to PCHF.

If the installation hasn't been activated by Microsoft, then I recommend you repartition the hdd and reinstall XP.

Have you tried completely deleting the XP partition, creating a new partition and formatting (not quick). If not try that first. Also make sure there is only 1 stick of ram in the pc when you do this.

If it still doesn't work - try the following:

At the first screen when you boot to the XP cd - Press R to repair windows from recovery console. You may get prompted which Windows installation you want to log onto - this is usually 1. Enter the Administrator password. This should be blank if windows hasn't yet been installed completely.

At the prompt type the following: chkdsk /r
This may take a while. After it has completed - try to reinstall windows again once again deleting any existing partitions, making a new one and formatting with ntfs (not quick option).

Please post back if you still can't install windows - also when you post back can you please try to give as much detail about the stop error you are receiving. Does it say anything else or just what you typed above.

Well, finally got the OS installed ( apparently my friend spent the night with restarting the installation over and over again when it failed.. ) so far so good, now we have the OS installed.

Now it's just a matter of trying to install all the service packs, for now, all we recive is an error when extracting the files for Service Pack 3, complaining about that the "File is corrupt" ( aclayers.dl_ & ac97ali.sy_ ) ...

Sigh, been trying through the Windows Updater ( crash ) downloading the SP3 from diffrent sites and installing ( File is corrupt ), reinstalled XP and tried to update again, same effect.. so still quite far left until we have a fully working OS ;/

Hello,
Firstly fully update the OS with all wiindows updates you can find.Also update drivers.

Have you got service pack 2 installed?

Download windows installer:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Then try SP3 again.

The problems you having with the service packs are commonly caused by not having the latest windows installer. If you just reinstalled windows it will be an old version, so you will need to update it first to be able to install the service packs. You download it from the link. Once you have done this - try installing your service packs again.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en