XP install hang

[warrington]

Anyone have an install hang for XP occur in the "Blue screen" (enter=continue install; R= repair install; F3=exit) Let Me make this point crystal clear! I am not a complete idiot so don't ask if I have the latest BIOS or if my computer is connected to a reliable power source. THIS IS WHAT I HAVE DONE.
-tried 3 differrent HDD
-Partitioned
-formatted
-both unformatted and partitioned on the above
-installed 98se successfully and run completely on the HDD described above.
-I can run ANY hardware and SOFTEWARE successfully on 98se on these disc's successfully. To include graphics intesive apps!
-ALL MY HARDWARE IS BRAND NEW FOR THE SYSTEM I ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL ON!(yes this includes latest drivers)
-I've contacted the supplier and after 1hour of troubleshooting, they suspect the OEM CD. (this could be the problem but my Bachelors degree is in Kinesiology so what do I know).
I would list my specs but like I said, I'm not an idot. I exceed all MS's spec's fpr XP and all my hardware is NEW!
A7V8x-x
1800+ XP
80GB WD JB
FX5600
Samsung 512 DDR (recommended by ASUS)
Thermaltake 420 PS
Lite-On dirves
6 x (80)mm fans
Antec 1000 AMG Plus view
MY TEMPS NEVER EXCEED 105!

[jmichna]

Couple steps I've used for troublesome XP installs:
Prior to running setup, try setting BIOS to "Fail Safe" mode. Try copying installation files to HD, and run setup from there.

You may well have a defective CD... even with a BSc in Kinesiology

[DallasDon]

What JM said. Try 100 mhz FSB, probably the "fail safe" defaults, and one stick of ram.

Check the windos CD for fingerprints, etc. Wipe it clean from the center to the edge, not a circular motion.

[warrington]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll give them a try and post the results. (What a relief to get a response. I've posted this issue on 3 other tech support sites and didn't receive ANY worthwhile feedback.)

[AzKidd69]

another idea is to go to simmtester.com and get docmem and test the ram.. it's possible it is defective .. the XP install routine is pretty intense on the memory usage and will definitely give you issues IF you have a bad stick of ram....

another idea try installing with the "failsafe" BIOS settings and only cd-rom, vid, 1 HDD and 1 stick of ram. no modem, nic, etc.. and see if that works...

[bailey]

any and all haing-up with xp install I have ever seen has been all ram related.

[jmichna]

Originally posted by bailey
any and all haing-up with xp install I have ever seen has been all ram related.

bailey's got a good point. Try running memtest86 on the system, and see if the ram throws any errors.

[gambler2611]

Win 98 install hanged, I find deactivating the level 1 cache useful, but it does make the install last about 4 hours. At least it works.

[warrington]

Be advised, this XP cd has been installed (attempted) on two seperate Mobo's, AMD CPU's, memory sticks (1) 256mb and (1) 512mb, IE. TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SYSTEMS USING 3 DIFFERENT HDD'S TO INCLUDE ONE HDD RIGHT OUT OF THE ANTI-STATIC BAG! All of the suggestions have been excellent but be advised that they are and should be considered ludicrous and unsatisfactory alternatives to someone purchasing a OS to be installed on MODERN hardware. (Thank all of you for the info, it has been greatly appreciated.) In addition, I would like to add that two of the three HDD that I attemppted to install XP on now have 98SE with a significant amount of additional software/ apps that run flawlessly to iclude recent "Unreal" PC demo and other graphic intensive apps. ( I got Linux 8.1 on one the drives easily, unfortunately that OS sucks for hardware/driver support)

[jmichna]

Contact MS, explain that you have a defective WinXP media disk, and you want an RMA replacement. MS will usually accommodate you with little hassle, especially after you let them know all the steps you've taken.