[infowttech]

Having extreme trouble re-installing XP pro. I'm getting the physical dump message at about 8 min left to go. Any ideas of what I can do to complete the re-install?

Thanks for your help

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When these things happen it's usually because of hardware failure or a faulty installation CD.

1: Is it always at the same point of time (8 minutes left to installation)?

2: Could you tell us the problems you had with the computer that caused the reinstallation of XP.

3: Did you format the disk during the installation? If yes, did you run full format (not "quick")

Download memtest from the link in my list below. Follow the instructions, create a bootable CD, boot with the CD and run the test at least for an hour. There should be no errors.

Find the name of the hard disk manufacturer (written on the disk) download it's diagnostic tool and create a bootable CD. Run a complete scan of the hard disk.

Reset the BIOS. Disconnect the power cord and remove the CMOS battery for 10 minutes. Reinstall, boot and set time, date and boot priority.

[The Skeptic]

When these things happen it's usually because of hardware failure or a faulty installation CD.

1: Is it always at the same point of time (8 minutes left to installation)?

2: Could you tell us the problems you had with the computer that caused the reinstallation of XP.

3: Did you format the disk during the installation? If yes, did you run full format (not "quick")

Download memtest from the link in my list below. Follow the instructions, create a bootable CD, boot with the CD and run the test at least for an hour. There should be no errors.

Find the name of the hard disk manufacturer (written on the disk) download it's diagnostic tool and create a bootable CD. Run a complete scan of the hard disk.

Reset the BIOS. Disconnect the power cord and remove the CMOS battery for 10 minutes. Reinstall, boot and set time, date and boot priority.

[infowttech]

Yes, It always seems to bring up the physical dump message around the 8min point.
The computer was running extremely slow and was unable to get an internet connection.
It was a quick format on the boot disk.
I'll try the memory test and see what happens from there.

[The Skeptic]

Please run the hard disk test as well. It could be faulty, hence the slow performence and reinstallation failure.

Run full format at least once. If the installations fails after that and you try more installations then run quick format.

[infowttech]

Unfortunatly, now it's only booting to disk.

[The Skeptic]

Please be more specific. Write down what you have done and what happens exactly.

[infowttech]

I ran the memory test, created a boot disk, ran the test for about an hour with out errors.

I download the western digital diagnostic tool. Ran a complete scan of the hard disk and
I did have a bad sector and repaired it.

Then it would only boot to disk

Reset the BIOS. Disconnect the power cord and remove the CMOS battery for 10 minutes. Reinstall, boot and set time, date and boot priority.

And now the windows screen and dell startup screen recycles over and over and never logs in.

[The Skeptic]

Then it would only boot to disk

What disk. The CD? The hard disk?

Try to clean your installation CD. Clean it with water and wipe it dry with a soft cloth. Make sure it is not scratched. Could you get another installation CD? I wonder if installation will be accomplished with another disk.

[infowttech]

I'll clean the CD and give it a try.

Thanks

[infowttech]

I finally got the boot disk to work, I have proceeded to Windows Setup and from there selected system recovery. What would I type in here?

Again, thanks for your attention to this, I'm killing myself here trying to get this computer up and running before Easter vacation.

thank you, thank you, thank you

Edited by infowttech, 06 April 2009 - 02:07 PM.