NationStates Jolt Archive

Righto, first off any constructive help is very much appreciated.

I formatted my computer which was running Win XP Pro with Service Pack 2 (I'm on my brothers right now) and installed Windows XP Media Centre. The installation went absolutely fine. The 188gb hard drive was partitioned into one 100gb and two 44gb partitions, and was formatted in NTFS (not through the quick format option).

The copy of Windows is 100% legit (well, borrowed off a mate), but it's a proper Microsoft disk.

OK, now the problem.

When it comes to the Windows loading screen, the wee scroll bad does one full scroll and then freezes half way across its second, and doesn't move again. I've tried reinstalling a couple of times and each time the same thing happens. Can't get any further.

Anybody got any ideas what it might be and how to go about fixing it?

Anybody got any ideas what it might be and how to go about fixing it?
Have you tried booting into safe mode? It COULD be something as simple as a driver not loading properly. It could also be faulty RAM. How much RAM is in the machine? Is it in more than one stick? Could you try booting after removing a stick of memory and see if that helps? If that doesn't work, swap the memory and try again. It could just need to be re-seated.

I have absolutely no idea how to go about pursuading it to start in safe mode.

Something along the lines of smash F8 until it gives in? I'll give it a go, cheers.

There's 512mb DDR in two sticks (I think). There was no problem with it before the format, and the PC hasn't been moved, save for the CD tray opening and closing a few times.

It may help if you describe the problem better. Have you tried to go download any patches?

How could I download patches if it keeps hanging on the Windows loading screen?

As in this screen:
http://www.computer-and-printer-reviews.com/images/ixp10.png

I can't get into Windows to do anything, so I couldn't get patches or anything.

How could I download patches if it keeps hanging on the Windows loading screen?

I can't get into Windows to do anything, so I couldn't get patches or anything.
Now that is describing the problem better. Go with hitting the button to make it start in safe made.

Now that is describing the problem better. Go with hitting the button to make it start in safe made.

If it freezes the same way when you try to boot to safe mode, the registry may be corrupted.

Okay, my computer knowledge is VERY limited and I have even erased my hard drive by accident on my old comp. so don't take my advise 100%.

I kind of remember vaguely from an old elementary teacher that some computer programs on disks are messed with by the company that makes them, so that if you try to install the program with the same disk for a second time, it will just screw itself over, so you have to buy another disk so they can make more money.

But I don't know, I think they do it with Nortan Antivirus but I'm not sure about the XP disk.

*Again, don't take this advise 100%, 10% at best because I can't do anything with computers for my life.

If it freezes the same way when you try to boot to safe mode, the registry may be corrupted.
Registry is not accessed in a safe mode boot normaly ... it uses a stock set (you have access to your registry but it does not use it to boot)

Okay, my computer knowledge is VERY limited and I have even erased my hard drive by accident on my old comp. so don't take my advise 100%.

I kind of remember vaguely from an old elementary teacher that some computer programs on disks are messed with by the company that makes them, so that if you try to install the program with the same disk for a second time, it will just screw itself over, so you have to buy another disk so they can make more money.

But I don't know, I think they do it with Nortan Antivirus but I'm not sure about the XP disk.

*Again, don't take this advise 100%, 10% at best because I can't do anything with computers for my life.
Not to burst your bubble or be excessively offensive, but if you managed to accidently erase your entire harddrive, you arn't qualified to offer computer help. And if some one is teaching elementary school, I will give it above 80% chance they don't know jack squat about computers. My C++ teacher in highschool could barely operate Office, which was actually what she was taught to operate, not C++. And were what you said the case, his friend would have the same problem.

Oh aye, something else I've forgotten to mention.

This happens in the middle of installation, once you partition, select your formatting mode, and windows copies files over it restarts. That's when it freezes up, at the loading screen then. The installation isn't complete.

The disk has been used several times by a couple of different people and it's worked just fine every time.

Registry is not accessed in a safe mode boot normaly ... it uses a stock set (you have access to your registry but it does not use it to boot)

I've fried the registry before, and I never get past safe boot - I get frozen up.

I've fried the registry before, and I never get past safe boot - I get frozen up.
Well I just deleted one on my test box ... safemode boot just fine

In fact restored registry from safe mode :)

Try using a different CD drive...I've had similar problems with Windows installations booting to the BSOD because the CD drive was bad.

Whether the CD has been used multiple times or not has no bearing whatsoever on the installation unless there are scratches leading to corrupted files being installed (which is possible).

First, I'd suggest buying your own copy of Windows XP (cannot condone software piracy). If unable to do this, it's possible to download the cracked version and use your own XP key to activate it (illegal copies are only illegal if you dont have a cd key of your own). Reformat everything into NTFS again and try to install Windows again.

If that doesnt clear it up, swap out your cd-drive with your mate's, reformat and reinstall. If that doesnt work, pull everything off your motherboard (including the backup battery) and let it sit for about 30 mins. This will reset / clear your RAM and MB. Reinsert just enough to boot the comp, should it boot properly shut it down and one at a time add back the components of your system, booting it each time. If you add a piece back and the computer hangs, remove that piece (likely it's causing the problem).

Well I just deleted one on my test box ... safemode boot just fine

In fact restored registry from safe mode :)

IIRC, it was a "damaged system hive" problem.

Is the hard drive making any funny noises? The computer could be trying to write to bad sectors. Try installing another operating system. Doesn't even have to be Windows. If you can't start up with that, it's a hardware problem. If you can start up, it's software.

Try using a different CD drive...I've had similar problems with Windows installations booting to the BSOD because the CD drive was bad.
I'll try a different drive, thanks.

If that doesnt clear it up, swap out your cd-drive with your mate's, reformat and reinstall. If that doesnt work, pull everything off your motherboard (including the backup battery) and let it sit for about 30 mins. This will reset / clear your RAM and MB. Reinsert just enough to boot the comp, should it boot properly shut it down and one at a time add back the components of your system, booting it each time. If you add a piece back and the computer hangs, remove that piece (likely it's causing the problem).
Already tried that. Took out second CD drive, floppy drive, TV card, modem, graphics card etc. nothing changed. The CD worked yesterday on my mates computer so it won't have been scratched since.

Is the hard drive making any funny noises? The computer could be trying to write to bad sectors. Try installing another operating system. Doesn't even have to be Windows. If you can't start up with that, it's a hardware problem. If you can start up, it's software.
No funny noises from the drive.

press delete so you go into your bios (may not be delete, maybe f10 or some obscure key) then check your boot options to make sure you are using the primary drive partition adn check that the jumpers are set, and if install is not complete you should see a screen asking to boot from cd or hard drive, you should choose hdd i believe, this should then make the computer access the cd again after booting its final install process, if that does not work try a format again and dont partition, then try an install again.

(600th post)

press delete so you go into your bios (may not be delete, maybe f10 or some obscure key) then check your boot options to make sure you are using the primary drive partition adn check that the jumpers are set, and if install is not complete you should see a screen asking to boot from cd or hard drive, you should choose hdd i believe, this should then make the computer access the cd again after booting its final install process, if that does not work try a format again and dont partition, then try an install again.

(600th post)

If he's getting to the boot screen, that's all set up right. Besides, he has only the one drive, just multiple partitions on it (correct?) so the BIOS setup has little to do with this.

If he's getting to the boot screen, that's all set up right. Besides, he has only the one drive, just multiple partitions on it (correct?) so the BIOS setup has little to do with this.
Correct, except for the "he" ;)

One drive, with three partitions (same problem occurs with just one).

Its definitely a hardware problem, I used the same CD to install onto this computer (a knackered 5 year old laptop) with no problems.

I have a driver CD with the drivers for all my hardware on it, and when it's in the other CD drive, the scroll bar keeps going until the CD drive stops spinning up, and then it freezes, which leads me to believe it's a 'simple' driver error.

We're going to try removing my HDD, putting it as a second drive in someone elses computer and manually copying all the drivers into the system32/drivers folder, putting it back in my computer, and seeing if it goes. Reckon it should if it's a driver problem.

Correct, except for the "he" ;)

One drive, with three partitions (same problem occurs with just one).

Its definitely a hardware problem, I used the same CD to install onto this computer (a knackered 5 year old laptop) with no problems.

I have a driver CD with the drivers for all my hardware on it, and when it's in the other CD drive, the scroll bar keeps going until the CD drive stops spinning up, and then it freezes, which leads me to believe it's a 'simple' driver error.

We're going to try removing my HDD, putting it as a second drive in someone elses computer and manually copying all the drivers into the system32/drivers folder, putting it back in my computer, and seeing if it goes. Reckon it should if it's a driver problem.

Ahh, but if you're installing a fresh copy of Windows, all the drivers should be wiped clean. While that might cause a problem, I doubt it.

You're installing into a laptop? What brand laptop?

And I apologize for the mistake in gender, lol

Ahh, but if you're installing a fresh copy of Windows, all the drivers should be wiped clean. While that might cause a problem, I doubt it.

You're installing into a laptop? What brand laptop?

And I apologize for the mistake in gender, lol
I think she means the default Windows drivers do not work with some of her hardware.

I think she means the default Windows drivers do not work with some of her hardware.

This is definately possible if she has a Dell and some Gateways. I dont know about HP, Compaq, or Toshiba though.

This is definately possible if she has a Dell and some Gateways. I dont know about HP, Compaq, or Toshiba though.
Have run, across more of that sort of trouble in HP and Toshiba then dells (though I agree about gateways)

This is definately possible if she has a Dell and some Gateways. I dont know about HP, Compaq, or Toshiba though.
HP's work fine with the default Windows drivers. well, not fine, of coarse its HP, they do technically run with the default windows drivers.

Ahh, but if you're installing a fresh copy of Windows, all the drivers should be wiped clean. While that might cause a problem, I doubt it.

You're installing into a laptop? What brand laptop?

And I apologize for the mistake in gender, lol

I'm installing onto a desktop, I just tried it on an old laptop to make sure it wasn't the disk. That's what I'm using now, connected to my wireless network and using the 17" TFT from the desktop.

Anyhow, we've, with safe mode, narrowed the problem down to mup.sys, which appears to be a problem specific to SP2, so we're going to try an early edition XP and *hopefully* it should work. Then we'll install SP2 after that once all the drivers are in place and functioning as they should be.

I think she means the default Windows drivers do not work with some of her hardware.
That appears to be the case, although only with an installation with SP2 included.

That appears to be the case, although only with an installation with SP2 included.

This is why I have refrained from installing SP2...lol

This is why I have refrained from installing SP2...lol
I have SP2, but I would rather have SP1. Everytime I start the computer or load my profile it says "Warning: Your computer may be at risk. Antivirus software may not be installed." It gets annoying after the ten-millionth time you close that balloon.

This is why I have refrained from installing SP2...lol
Aye, it works fine as an upgrade install once all the drivers for my hardware are in place, just if it gets installed as part of the original XP installation it doesn't have the drivers I need.

At least the problems been discovered anyway, and shouldn't actually be too hard to fix.

Thanks for everyones help :)