XP Pro won't install

[DoctorReno]

I am trying to install a brand new retail copy of XP Pro in an E-machine 533i. Every time it seems to install perfectly up until the final reboot when XP should be ready to run, however it begins to boot, shows the XP Pro loading screen and then just goes to a black screen.... no error message... and hangs there.

I have removed all but one 256Mb memory module and still the same result.

Out of curiosity I tried installing this OS from CD to a different machine and it worked flawlessly so it would seem that it is not a bad CD.

Any suggestions as to why it won't install on the E-machine would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Bill in SD, CA]

Might want to remove everything but the video card and ram.

Bill

[bullgator]

Boot into safe and choose: the vga option.
You need to install your video drivers.

[DoctorReno]

Gator, is it F8 to get into safe mode?

Thanks Bill... if the safe mode dosen't work I will try removing all components except vid and 1 memory module.... this was to be my next step.

[electric]

just tapped f8 a few times but its not going to do you any
good because your os didn't install properly

did you format the hd before installing os

[DoctorReno]

Electric,
I used the mfg utility to first zero fill the HD then I did a clean install of XP Pro and chose NTFS.

The install goes normally until the final time that it reboots, the XP Pro booting screen comes up and then it goes black.

[bullgator]

So, can you get into safe mode at all ? F8

[electric]

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/geom/format.htm


i have never did a low level format so i can't comment on it but
i think you still need to do a high level format to set up your
HD


Low-Level Formatting: This is the "true" formatting process for the disk. It creates the physical structures (tracks, sectors, control information) on the hard disk. Normally, this step begins with the hard disk platters "clean", containing no information. It is discussed in more detail here.

Partitioning: This process divides the disk into logical "pieces" that become different hard disk volumes (drive letters). This is an operating system function and is discussed in detail in its own section.

High-Level Formatting: This final step is also an operating-system-level command. It defines the logical structures on the partition and places at the start of the disk any necessary operating system files.

from above link

good luck

[DoctorReno]

After zero filling I did partition and format the drive correctly using the XP CD.

[PresterJohn]

your problem has nothing to do with the hard disk.

2 questions...

1) what type of video card is this?

2) can you identify the mobo brand/model?