Error loading Win XP

[Andy058]

Having problems putting XP on an old Gateway PC, terminates with this:An unexpected error has occurred. (536821760) occurred at line 1768 in D:\xpclient\base\boot\setup\arcdisp.c

The PC in question is 233mhz made by Anigma for Gateway with an Intel 430tx chipset, changed mem configurations, 128, 256, 96, 64 with no change in the failure.

Having read the MS bulletin 316400, I have tried several different memory configurations to no avail and ran memtst86 with no problems indicated, reflashed the bios 00AAES054, considered flashing an older bios, unfortunately Gateway is not carrying archived bios, have tried disabling and enabling everything possible in bios, especially the APCI and also tried the PF7 and PF8 keys when prompted for 3rd party driver.

The system loads and runs Windows ME flawlessly.
I have swapped the power supply, mem mods, hard drives, cdrom drives, tried to load from floppys on clean install, from bootable cd and as an upgrade to windows me with the same conclusion.
BTW-The system passes the XP compatibility tests with nothing to report.
Also tried to load Windows 2000, the hardware requirements being much less than XP for which the system I am trying to apply it to just meets the minimum, when the system reboots it gets as far as "checking system's hardware configuration" and hangs, something here does not like Windows NT!

It is not terribly important that I get XP on this old machine, it has become more of a challenge to know WHY it won't go on and hopefully someone reading this has been there and seen that, I have run out of ideas for things to try.

[R_1_Oh_Seven]

... why are you trying to run xp on a system that barely can run 98 good? there not nearly enough ram you need at least 96mb.
Just stick with 2000 pro its a lot better in my opinion (i know im gona get reamed for saying 2000pro is better than xp) EVRYONE is entitled to their opinion

[bailey]

the error can be caused by bad ram or some other hardware that is not compatable.
I would not recommend that you waste your time trying to put xp on a system that old as it will never run very good if at all, and that is if you were even able to get it installed.

[Andy058]

As I posted Win2k install fails also, Ram is no problem, have plenty laying around.
This has become a challenge at this point to know why this install fails and am posting here hoping someone else has encountered this problem with a similar PC or if anyone has W2K or XP installed on a Pentium 1 PC, but more than likely anyone reading this forum has nothing less than 5 on the floor, fuel injected and dual overhead cam PCs-LOL

Please note I have tried swapping ram extensively being aware of the MS article, trying different slots and size configurations, also ran memtst86 with NTF and flies thru the XP compatibility tests with no problems found.
I suspect a Bios problem and I have the latest from Gateway 1999 but that does not ensure compatibility with the Windows NT version.

[jmatt]

Try starting again .

http://www.lurkhere.com/~nicefiles/index.html
Freeware .
WIPE OUT : as the name implies, this utility will absolutely WIPE your hard drive. For those
times when an industrial strength cleaner is needed to remove any pesky files Fdisk may have
left behind. A readme file is included in the zip file. WARNING...WIPE OUT will remove ALL data
from the Hard Drive.

WARNING
The use of WIPEOUT can and will result in the loss of ALL data on your hard drive.

DIRECTIONS

1- Unzip file
2- Copy WIPEOUT to a Win9x/me boot disk
3- Boot with Win9x/me disk
4- At the A:\> type "wipeout c: /nq /np" (no quotes)
/nq = no queries - you will not be asked if you are sure.
/np = no partitions - this will overwrite the MBR

Press Enter .

Now run fdisk to set up partitions .
When done reboot & format .

========================================

If XP will not install .
Try using a different HAL, when set up says to press F6 for third party drivers, press F5 and choose standard pc for the type of computer .
If the above HAL fails , more here .
http://www.billssite.com/clean.htm
http://www.networkcert.net/xp/install.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;307848
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;811267

Or ,

Error: Setup Was Unable to Verify Drive

You're installing XP Home or Pro, and you get an error message that says: Setup was unable to verify drive C:. Your computer may not have enough memory to examine the drive, or your Windows XP CD may contain some corrupted files. To continue, press Enter. Fair enough, but when you do as it says and press Enter, this message appears:

Setup cannot access the CD containing the Windows XP installation files.

Ouch! What's going on here? It could be one of several things; check out KB article 822796 at:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030902CO-Verify

[Andy058]

Wipeout didn't fix it!
Actually I am testing with Win2K from floppy, what is happening is when I boot from the Win2k disk the first thing it does is "setup is inspecting your hardware configuration..." and hangs with the floppy spinning and the hd activity light lit .
The same thing happens if I try to apply it as an upgrade, it finishes copying files and on the 1st reboot dies at "inspecting hardware configuration".
From some of the links you posted I gathered that WinXP compatibility test checks the bios for compatibility and it passes all that testing....scratch, scratch, scratch, hmmmm!
Windows 2k also reports "no incompatible hardware found on system" before it restarts and hangs.

[jmatt]

This is probably more of the same Andy , but there may be some little clue in these links & info .

F5 is prominent .

=======================================

http://www.legge40.freeserve.co.uk/Tips.htm
http://www.pcmech.com/bios.htm
http://www.pcmech.com/show/bios/22/
Power management options disabled in the BIOS have made Windows XP fail to install?

You may have turned off the power management options in the BIOS because they were problematic, or you were advised to because they are not necessary on a desktop PC, but Windows XP requires them to be enabled or it will lock up during the installation process. The system will keep locking up at the Windows Setup screen. Just the blue screen will show - there will be no error messages, or any other kind of feedback. So, if you are having an installation problem of this kind, change the BIOS settings for ACPI Aware OS to Yes, and Power Management to "Enabled".
Moreover, if you are having problems shutting down Windows XP, or if it suspends indefinitely without turning off, use the right mouse button to click your Desktop, select Properties, click the Screen Saver tab, click the Power button,

=================================

Boot without cd rom support ( using W98 boot disk )
From the A prompt > fdisk , reboot & format c:
Then from the A prompt > fdisk /mbr
Or,
format c:
Then from the A prompt > fdisk /mbr

Reboot with cd rom support using W98/me boot disk with emm386 & smartdrv on .
Execute SMARTDrive by typing smartdrv from the A prompt .
It will only take a couple of seconds to load.

Type drive:,( where drive is the drive that contains the Windows XP CD-ROM )and then press ENTER .

Type cd\i386 and then press ENTER . ( hit R if unable to load )
Type winnt and then press ENTER .
Windows XP Setup starts .
Type the path to the Windows XP installation files , and then press ENTER . For example , type d:\i386 ( may already be there )

Setup will then begin copying all of the Windows XP system files to your machine , which can take quite a while ( hours if smartdrv has'nt engaged )

Note : Always press Enter or hit the space bar to try again , for any can't copy messages .

=========================================

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=132512

http://support.microsoft.com/default...NoWebContent=1

http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBC/tip1000/rh1013.htm

http://www.zdnet.com.au/newstech/os/...0262841,00.htm

http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6270-1051127.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=132512

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000.../biosissue.asp