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Stuck reloading Windows XP


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#1
cmeasy

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Hello,

I am trying to reload Windows XP on a HP Pavilion laptop. It continually stays on one screen,
Its at the windows setup screen, it says "setup is starting windows" and just hangs there.

I've tested the hard drive, its passed diagnostics, and was able to recover data from it.

Any idea's, i've also replaced the cdrw/dvdrom drive and still no luck. Used multiple cd's with XP software on it. plus original disk that came from HP with OEM OS on it.

The original problem was customers son was loading software game off a cd and it just started to hang, not going into the OS. I recovered data he wanted, formatted the drive and tried reinstall, which is where I am stuck now.
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#2
wannabe1

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Hi cmeasy...

If this is the screen after Windows finishes copying files, then it sounds like it's hanging when it hands off to the registry. Make sure that you have NO extra hardware connected...this includes external mouse and keyboard. Use just the laptop's input devices.

I would suggest starting fresh and format the drive using the full option...not the quick format.

wannabe1
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#3
cmeasy

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this is the screen after Windows finished copying files, there are no extra hardware connected. I don't even get to the point where it gives you the option to format or not. And yes, I always go for the full option, not the quick format.

I tried a Windows 2000 install cd just to see, and it hangs at the same spot for it as well. Is it possible the HDD could be formatted being USB connected to another machine? But I am pretty sure I tried that already as well.
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#4
wannabe1

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Ok...so you're hanging before the install really begins...just what do you see on the screen you are hanging at?
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#5
cmeasy

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blue screen, on top of screen it says windows setup,

bottom of screen it says "setup is starting Windows XP" and that is as far as it goes
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#6
wannabe1

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Are you booting to the cd or trying to reinstall from within Windows?
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#7
cmeasy

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booting to the CD, Windows is gone, because I formatted the drive previously I believe.

I can't remember actually, it's been two weeks since I started working on this and the client dropped off a new internal cdrw/dvdrom drive to install in it and reinstall the OS.

but I' am thinking maybe if the partition and format wasn't done correctly, wouldn't that cause this to hang?
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#8
wannabe1

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Have a look at This Guide...where does the hang occur? (figure number)
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#9
cmeasy

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between figure 2 and 3.

I just tried install again, does the press f6, then press f2 for automated recover, then setup is loading files, different ones listed, then last ones were NT files systems, FAT 32 file systems, setup is starting windows, monitor flashes quickly and then it hangs, cdrom stops spinning.....
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#10
wannabe1

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Odd one...it sounds like there are filters set on the cd-rom. But, if you have formatted, that would be impossible.

You might try formatting the drive using an application like Boot and Nuke...then try the install.
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#11
cmeasy

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I have something called wipe drive on a cd.

this is something crazy,, never had this problem before. If I don't have a cdrom n the drive, it won't boot with "no OS found", or "no HDD found", it just has a black screen with blinking cursor on the top.

just some more random information thought I'd share
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#12
cmeasy

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what did you mean by "sounds like filters are set on the cdrom"?
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#13
cmeasy

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also, I've kept the machine on for a days to see if it would randomly start installing the Windows XP files, but no luck.

just some more random information.
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#14
wannabe1

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This might be a bad HDD, too. Have you run diagnostics on it? I agree with you, though...this is definitely an odd one.

Filters are set by third party burning software or Daeman tools and will sometimes prevent a drive from working properly. With no registry aboard, they won't be there.
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#15
cmeasy

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I did the HDD long check that is in the BIOS, nothing found.

I was also able to see the drive connected to a USB 2.0 IDE connection to my desktop and recover data, and ran a scan with nothing.

But I am running my wipedrive v3.03 from Whitecanyon.com and it is running to see if the sectors are clean (wiped), and it is progressing through 15% checked, and did find a sector error in the LBA sector with a number following. LBA Sector 7914513

I don't remember what LBA stands for, but it could be bad sectors. Since I've just replaced the cdrom drive, that' s what I am thinking now.

Whjat do you think?
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