XP Home (NTFS) wont Quit Setup

[sambeattie]

Compaq Deskpro Ser No. 8122FR4ZOHFO
Main Circuit Board: Compaq 06C4h 133Mz
Bios: Compaq 686PO v1.16 04/05/2001
Ram: 128mb HD: 20.02Gb

A few months ago I did a clean install of Windows XP Home (OEM) had it activated and everything worked fine until recently I had problems with uninstalling programs I had downloaded from the Web + my recycle bin was corrupt,so I thought I would do a repair of XP using the CD but when running I inadvertently started installing,so I let it continue 1) it stops halfway through third stage (installing devices) 2) I turned off and booted from CD 3) black screen appears saying '' This computer is already in the process of being upgraded to Microsoft Windows" with three options 1) Continue the current upgrade press 'énter' 2) Cancel current upgrade & install new version of Microsoft Windows F10 3) Exit Setup without installing Microsoft Windows F3, I chose this option then it restarts with 'Compaq' logo then appears to proceed starting Windows XP (as animated logo appears) on black screen then changes to XP light blue screen saying "setup is being restarted" it then restarts and repeats the same process.

[mpc]

That is the longest "sentence" I have ever seen.

[Eraserhead]

Looks like your only option is to go ahead with the complete reinstallation of XP. It's started installing and wants to continue. It's probably too late to quit and hope that your existing installation of XP is still working.
How long did you leave the computer when it was installing new devices? Sometimes this part takes a long time and nothing *appears* to be happening, but XP is searching through all your hardware so it can install the appropriate drivers. This can be a lengthy process. If it happens again, be patient :-)