Windows XP - I need help loading this software.

[Nick]

To bring you up to speed I will start with buying my
computer. I bought it at a computer show and the seller
was building them to fit our needs. They gave us our
computers and the software needed to complete the sale.
When I try to load the OEM Windows XP it runs fine until
it reaches the 35-minute stage. Than the software freezes
and the screen shrinks to a small box around the mouse
pointer. It will do that every time. I ask my friends at
CompUSA and they said it might be the hard drive. I
replaced the hard drive and it still does the same thing.
After that, they said the software might be bad. Any help
you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

(Oh I forgot to tell you, the computer was built for
Windows XP and runs an AMD XP Chip.)

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Nick;
Try a Clean Installation this way.
Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key and follow the
prompts for a Clean installation:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase all data on the
hard drive.
Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.

After you are finished, you will need to load the appropriate drivers.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"Nick" > wrote in message
...
> To bring you up to speed I will start with buying my
> computer. I bought it at a computer show and the seller
> was building them to fit our needs. They gave us our
> computers and the software needed to complete the sale.
> When I try to load the OEM Windows XP it runs fine until
> it reaches the 35-minute stage. Than the software freezes
> and the screen shrinks to a small box around the mouse
> pointer. It will do that every time. I ask my friends at
> CompUSA and they said it might be the hard drive. I
> replaced the hard drive and it still does the same thing.
> After that, they said the software might be bad. Any help
> you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thank You.
>
> (Oh I forgot to tell you, the computer was built for
> Windows XP and runs an AMD XP Chip.)
>

[Nick]

Mr. Jones; I did what you told me to do but the same thing
happened. That Blue square with the mouse arrow in it. The
rest of the screen goes to black. When the format was done
it loaded some files, than rebooted. It wanted to start
the formatting again so I went to the Bios and changed the
start up back to the hard drive. It went to the XP Windows
screen than started to load, but stopped at 34-minutes.
Did I do it the right way?


>-----Original Message-----
>Nick;
>Try a Clean Installation this way.
>Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
>Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
>Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
>At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key
and follow the
>prompts for a Clean installation:
>http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.as
p
>Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase
all data on the
>hard drive.
>Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
>All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.
>
>After you are finished, you will need to load the
appropriate drivers.
>
>--
>Jupiter Jones [MVP]
>An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/se
tup.asp
>http://dts-l.org/index.html
>
>

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Nick;
Start over.
Make sure both the CDROM and hard drive are boot devices.
Be sure CDROM is before hard drive.
Follow the steps to boot to CDROM as the procedure starts.
As it continues and reboots again, when you see the message "Press any
key to boot to CDROM" ignore the message and it will go to the next
boot device (hard drive), installation should continue.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"Nick" > wrote in message
...
> Mr. Jones; I did what you told me to do but the same thing
> happened. That Blue square with the mouse arrow in it. The
> rest of the screen goes to black. When the format was done
> it loaded some files, than rebooted. It wanted to start
> the formatting again so I went to the Bios and changed the
> start up back to the hard drive. It went to the XP Windows
> screen than started to load, but stopped at 34-minutes.
> Did I do it the right way?
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Nick;
> >Try a Clean Installation this way.
> >Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
> >Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
> >Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
> >At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key
> and follow the
> >prompts for a Clean installation:
> >http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.as
> p
> >Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase
> all data on the
> >hard drive.
> >Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
> >All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.
> >
> >After you are finished, you will need to load the
> appropriate drivers.
> >
> >--
> >Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> >An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
> >http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/se
> tup.asp
> >http://dts-l.org/index.html
> >
> >
>

[Nick]

Mr. Jones,

Thank you for being so patient. I tried rebooting
five times, all tries failed. I did get to 34-minutes
instead of 35. I noticed during the installation period it
goes to A-Drive for some reason, so I went to the bios and
disabled it. Setup still looked, one time, to the A Drive.
I am not sure if that helps any or not. After setup stops,
it still goes to that small square with the arrow inside
of it.

[Nick]

Mr Jones,

I forgot to ask. Did you want me to format the hard
drive and start over? I didn't do that.

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Nick;
Yes all the way from the beginning.
Make sure to delete all partitions in step 5 of the link.
After that formatting will be done automatically.
Do NOT choose quick format.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"Nick" > wrote in message
...
> Mr Jones,
>
> I forgot to ask. Did you want me to format the hard
> drive and start over? I didn't do that.

[Nick]

Mr. Jones:

I did what you told me several times, but to the same
conclusion. That square with the arrow in the middle. I
also downloaded a couple of other potential fixes. One was
the updated software from my hard drive maker. It did a
better job at formatting the hard drive and setting the
drive for the XP install, but the same thing happened.
Than I downloaded the six disks from Microsoft for pre-
installing the software and the same thing still happens.
I loaded a new upgrade of Windows 98 that I had bought for
a computer that died before I used it. It loaded without
any problems. I formatted the hard drive again hoping it
might load this time. The same thing happened again. If
the software ever works I will post it on this web site,
maybe it well help someone else. If you don't see my post
you will know it never worked. Sorry just getting tired.

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Nick;
Can you try the CD on another computer to verify the CD is OK?

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"Nick" > wrote in message
...
>
> Mr. Jones:
>
> I did what you told me several times, but to the same
> conclusion. That square with the arrow in the middle. I
> also downloaded a couple of other potential fixes. One was
> the updated software from my hard drive maker. It did a
> better job at formatting the hard drive and setting the
> drive for the XP install, but the same thing happened.
> Than I downloaded the six disks from Microsoft for pre-
> installing the software and the same thing still happens.
> I loaded a new upgrade of Windows 98 that I had bought for
> a computer that died before I used it. It loaded without
> any problems. I formatted the hard drive again hoping it
> might load this time. The same thing happened again. If
> the software ever works I will post it on this web site,
> maybe it well help someone else. If you don't see my post
> you will know it never worked. Sorry just getting tired.

[Nick]

Mr. Jones,

My other computers have too much information on them that
I don't want to loose or have to re-install. I did have
the other hard drive installed and the software did the
same thing on that one too. I don't want to install it on
someone else's computer to test it either. With my luck
the Micro-Police would come and haul me away. I've been
told that Microsoft will not replace the software if it is
bad. I hope that's wrong. I wouldn't know how to do that
anyhow.
At this time I have two other computers I want to upgrade.
I have Xp and I like the improvements, but it came with
the computers. I'm worried if I upgrade this could happen
with my other computers. I could backup my work or buy a
program that backs up the whole drive, but I have already
spent so much time on this project. I would hate to do
this again. You know, trying to make a living at the same
time is hard enough.
It's like the news on TV. All I have heard, since my
problems, are the bad things about XP. Good thing I
haven't had any problems with it, or I would be afraid to
turn my computer on. As you can tell Mr. Jones I'm new at
this and I ramble on forever. I will keep it to the point
from now on. Thank you for your help.


>-----Original Message-----
>Nick;
>Can you try the CD on another computer to verify the CD
is OK?
>
>--

[Nick]

Mr. Jones,

Can I send the disk to Microsoft and have them test it? If
so do you know the address and to whom would I address it
to? If they see it is defective they might replace it.
Since I bought it at a computer show I have nowhere to
take it back.Thanks again.

>>>Nick;
>>Can you try the CD on another computer to verify the CD
>is OK?
>>
>>--
>
>.
>

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Nick;
There is no place at Microsoft that takes CDs to check them.
If windows XP is retail, you can get a replacement CD:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246

Also my suggestion to install on another computer would be short term.
You would not activate and you would also remove it immediately.
The important thing is to not activate, but you still need to remove
it as soon as possible to prevent accidental activation.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"Nick" > wrote in message
...
> Mr. Jones,
>
> Can I send the disk to Microsoft and have them test it? If
> so do you know the address and to whom would I address it
> to? If they see it is defective they might replace it.
> Since I bought it at a computer show I have nowhere to
> take it back.Thanks again.
>
> >>>Nick;
> >>Can you try the CD on another computer to verify the CD
> >is OK?
> >>
> >>--
> >
> >.
> >

[Nick]

Mr. Jones,

I was worried about activating the software. I
thought you didn't have a choice with XP. That puts my
mind at ease. Know about the software. I'm not sure if the
software is considered retail. It's the OEM software that
came with the new computer. Remember, I bought it at the
Computer Show. Would they still replace it if it were bad?
I'll pay for the shipping.

Mr. Jones if I take the hard drive out of another
computer, and put the new one from this computer in, would
that work? Will all my information still be on the hard
drive I take out? Will it still work like before; when I
put it back in? What are the minimum requirements for
installing XP (CPU size)? As you can tell I'm a rookie.
Thank you for replying to my email.

PS: If XP would install on the hard drive could I just re-
install the hard drive in the new computer and than
activate it without uninstalling XP?


>-----Original Message-----
>Nick;
>There is no place at Microsoft that takes CDs to check
them.
>If windows XP is retail, you can get a replacement CD:
>http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246
>
>Also my suggestion to install on another computer would
be short term.
>You would not activate and you would also remove it
immediately.
>The important thing is to not activate, but you still
need to remove
>it as soon as possible to prevent accidental activation.
>
>--
>Jupiter Jones [MVP]
>An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/se
tup.asp
>http://dts-l.org/index.html

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Nick;
If the CD is OEM, it is not retail.
You would have to contact the seller to see what they would do,
Microsoft has nothing to do with OEM software.

You must Activate...you have 30 days to do it.
Plenty of time to try on another computer or hard drive.

I was just reviewing the notes.
You already tried this with another hard drive, so we know it is not
the hard drive.

Take the hard drive out of the other computer (this is the hard drive
with data?)
Install the new blank hard drive in other computer.
Then try to install Windows XP. (do not activate)
If it works, it is something with the new computer.
If it doesn't, the CD is somehow bad.

Removing the drive with data will leave the data intact.
When done, simply reinstall the drive.


--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"Nick" > wrote in message
...
> Mr. Jones,
>
> I was worried about activating the software. I
> thought you didn't have a choice with XP. That puts my
> mind at ease. Know about the software. I'm not sure if the
> software is considered retail. It's the OEM software that
> came with the new computer. Remember, I bought it at the
> Computer Show. Would they still replace it if it were bad?
> I'll pay for the shipping.
>
> Mr. Jones if I take the hard drive out of another
> computer, and put the new one from this computer in, would
> that work? Will all my information still be on the hard
> drive I take out? Will it still work like before; when I
> put it back in? What are the minimum requirements for
> installing XP (CPU size)? As you can tell I'm a rookie.
> Thank you for replying to my email.
>
> PS: If XP would install on the hard drive could I just re-
> install the hard drive in the new computer and than
> activate it without uninstalling XP?
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Nick;
> >There is no place at Microsoft that takes CDs to check
> them.
> >If windows XP is retail, you can get a replacement CD:
> >http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246
> >
> >Also my suggestion to install on another computer would
> be short term.
> >You would not activate and you would also remove it
> immediately.
> >The important thing is to not activate, but you still
> need to remove
> >it as soon as possible to prevent accidental activation.
> >
> >--
> >Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> >An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
> >http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/se
> tup.asp
> >http://dts-l.org/index.html
>

[Nick]

Mr. Jones, I have good news and another question.

First, I want to tell you what happened incase it
can help someone else someday. I did as you said. I
installed another hard drive on the other computer. XP
loaded fine until the magic 34-minute stage. The screen
went blank three times but made it back each time. It did
the same thing one more time at 33-minutes, than loaded.
XP worked fine on that computer. Therefore, I thought if I
put the hard drive in the new computer maybe XP could help
find the problem. I tried and it stopped the computer dead
in its tracks. So I put it back in the other computer and
formatted the hard drive like you said.

Than I tried XP one more time in the new computer just
incase there was something on the CD and it was working
now. XP actually loaded. I found out the graphics card was
conflicting with XP. I played around in XP for a while to
see how it worked on this computer. It worked fine except
for the graphics card problem. I shut the computer down
for a while than tried it again later. It would not load
this time. I bought and installed a new graphics card,
reformatted the drive, than reloaded XP. It loaded without
any problems. I have tried it for a few days without any
problems.

My question: Is it OK to "Activate XP " now?

Thank you for your help, I could not have done it without
you. I have told my friends about this site and I am sure
the will use it. Thank You again, Nick



>-----Original Message-----
>Nick;
>If the CD is OEM, it is not retail.
>You would have to contact the seller to see what they
would do,
>Microsoft has nothing to do with OEM software.
>
>You must Activate...you have 30 days to do it.
>Plenty of time to try on another computer or hard drive.
>
>I was just reviewing the notes.
>You already tried this with another hard drive, so we
know it is not
>the hard drive.
>
>Take the hard drive out of the other computer (this is
the hard drive
>with data?)
>Install the new blank hard drive in other computer.
>Then try to install Windows XP. (do not activate)
>If it works, it is something with the new computer.
>If it doesn't, the CD is somehow bad.
>
>Removing the drive with data will leave the data intact.
>When done, simply reinstall the drive.
>
>
>--
>Jupiter Jones [MVP]
>An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/se
tup.asp
>http://dts-l.org/index.html

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Your welcome Nick;
You have 30 days to activate with occasional reminders coming up.
I would wait till about 5-10 days left.
In the meantime, install ALL Critical Updates from Windows Update.
Install the applications you need including antivirus.
If all is well then, go ahead and activate.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"Nick" > wrote in message
...
> Mr. Jones, I have good news and another question.
>
> First, I want to tell you what happened incase it
> can help someone else someday. I did as you said. I
> installed another hard drive on the other computer. XP
> loaded fine until the magic 34-minute stage. The screen
> went blank three times but made it back each time. It did
> the same thing one more time at 33-minutes, than loaded.
> XP worked fine on that computer. Therefore, I thought if I
> put the hard drive in the new computer maybe XP could help
> find the problem. I tried and it stopped the computer dead
> in its tracks. So I put it back in the other computer and
> formatted the hard drive like you said.
>
> Than I tried XP one more time in the new computer just
> incase there was something on the CD and it was working
> now. XP actually loaded. I found out the graphics card was
> conflicting with XP. I played around in XP for a while to
> see how it worked on this computer. It worked fine except
> for the graphics card problem. I shut the computer down
> for a while than tried it again later. It would not load
> this time. I bought and installed a new graphics card,
> reformatted the drive, than reloaded XP. It loaded without
> any problems. I have tried it for a few days without any
> problems.
>
> My question: Is it OK to "Activate XP " now?
>
> Thank you for your help, I could not have done it without
> you. I have told my friends about this site and I am sure
> the will use it. Thank You again, Nick
>
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Nick;
> >If the CD is OEM, it is not retail.
> >You would have to contact the seller to see what they
> would do,
> >Microsoft has nothing to do with OEM software.
> >
> >You must Activate...you have 30 days to do it.
> >Plenty of time to try on another computer or hard drive.
> >
> >I was just reviewing the notes.
> >You already tried this with another hard drive, so we
> know it is not
> >the hard drive.
> >
> >Take the hard drive out of the other computer (this is
> the hard drive
> >with data?)
> >Install the new blank hard drive in other computer.
> >Then try to install Windows XP. (do not activate)
> >If it works, it is something with the new computer.
> >If it doesn't, the CD is somehow bad.
> >
> >Removing the drive with data will leave the data intact.
> >When done, simply reinstall the drive.
> >
> >
> >--
> >Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> >An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
> >http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/se
> tup.asp
> >http://dts-l.org/index.html
>