Corruption in Windows XP during routine re-install

Data1232 · Mar 22, 2006, 05:37 AM

Hi everyone,

I, like many others, usually do a standard refresh on my XP machine every few months or so, and it so happens that this coincided with a new hard-drive purchase that I had made (Maxtor 200GB). As usual, I backed up everything important, and went through the Windows XP CD format process and everything was fine. Right up until it was in the middle of installing OS files (this is in the phase where you have a light blue screen telling you about the many wonders of Windows) and I got an error telling me that it couldn't install a certain file. I told it to check the CD it was in, and did everything that it would allow me to do (which was not much, just a simple "Browse for...") and was finally forced to reboot and start over again. Well everything seemed fine then until I reached the same phase and I got a different error saying something like a Kernel exception error had occured and just gave me an "Ok" button to click and continue installing on. Now in the many times I've formatted and re-installed Windows, this has never happened to me before. Anways, Windows manages to install, so I just assume life is being wierd and attempt to continue installing my standard drivers. I downloaded SP2 (the standalone version) and try to extract it and it says "Extraction Failed: File is Corrupt." This is from Microsoft's own website. I download from other sites, get the same message. I thought that since it was extracting to my new hard drive it may be the problem, so I unplug it and force it to extract on the same drive XP is installed on. No dice, same error message. Then I try just the standard Windows Update route, and even that fails with a simple "Installation failed" error and nothing after that. I've formatted around three times or so, and even used a different XP disc but I still get the same error with SP2 (the time I used the different XP disc, no errors during install but the SP2 error happened). At this point I'm at a loss as to what could cause this, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Tipstaff · Mar 22, 2006, 07:58 AM

A couple possible things to try:

1) Since you've replaced the hard drive the first thing you should be doing is looking at the cable to make sure it's connected properly, and undamaged. You should also look at the connectors on the hard drive, as well as the motherboard to be sure of the same (no missing or bent pins.. of note: Ultra ATA drives will be missing 1 pin in the center on both the motherboard and the drive.. if there are others missing on either end, then your in trouble). Do you have any other drives attached to the same cable your hard drive is? If so, remove the second one for now. If you have spare IDE cable, try it. Also, double check the cable your optical disc drive is on, and double check for the same problems.

2) Possible bad memory. A couple suggestions would be that if you have multiple sticks of RAM to try one stick then the other to see if the same errors appear with each one installed. You can also run a memory testing program like memtest86. Also, I would remove, and reseat your memory just incase you accidentally knocked it while changing out the hard drive.

3) Bad partition or drive. If your up to it, reinstall Windows, but this time do a regular format of the drive, and not a "quick format" if you chose it the last time.

Data1232 · Mar 30, 2006, 07:22 AM

Thanks TipStaff, it was bad memory. Really bad memory...but new modules are in and everything's working like a charm. Sorry it took so long to post a reply, IB exam preps are eating my free time...

Thanks again!

Tipstaff · Mar 30, 2006, 09:06 AM

You welcome, Data. Glad you got it fixed.

Mar 22, 2006, 05:37 AM	#1
Data1232 DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Right. Behind. You. Posts: 180 Rep Power: 0	Corruption in Windows XP during routine re-install Hi everyone, I, like many others, usually do a standard refresh on my XP machine every few months or so, and it so happens that this coincided with a new hard-drive purchase that I had made (Maxtor 200GB). As usual, I backed up everything important, and went through the Windows XP CD format process and everything was fine. Right up until it was in the middle of installing OS files (this is in the phase where you have a light blue screen telling you about the many wonders of Windows) and I got an error telling me that it couldn't install a certain file. I told it to check the CD it was in, and did everything that it would allow me to do (which was not much, just a simple "Browse for...") and was finally forced to reboot and start over again. Well everything seemed fine then until I reached the same phase and I got a different error saying something like a Kernel exception error had occured and just gave me an "Ok" button to click and continue installing on. Now in the many times I've formatted and re-installed Windows, this has never happened to me before. Anways, Windows manages to install, so I just assume life is being wierd and attempt to continue installing my standard drivers. I downloaded SP2 (the standalone version) and try to extract it and it says "Extraction Failed: File is Corrupt." This is from Microsoft's own website. I download from other sites, get the same message. I thought that since it was extracting to my new hard drive it may be the problem, so I unplug it and force it to extract on the same drive XP is installed on. No dice, same error message. Then I try just the standard Windows Update route, and even that fails with a simple "Installation failed" error and nothing after that. I've formatted around three times or so, and even used a different XP disc but I still get the same error with SP2 (the time I used the different XP disc, no errors during install but the SP2 error happened). At this point I'm at a loss as to what could cause this, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. __________________ Windows XP Pro 32-bit Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 2 GB DDR2-800 eVGA 680i XFX GeForce Ultra 8800 () Creative X-Fi Gamer

Mar 22, 2006, 07:58 AM	#2
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	A couple possible things to try: 1) Since you've replaced the hard drive the first thing you should be doing is looking at the cable to make sure it's connected properly, and undamaged. You should also look at the connectors on the hard drive, as well as the motherboard to be sure of the same (no missing or bent pins.. of note: Ultra ATA drives will be missing 1 pin in the center on both the motherboard and the drive.. if there are others missing on either end, then your in trouble). Do you have any other drives attached to the same cable your hard drive is? If so, remove the second one for now. If you have spare IDE cable, try it. Also, double check the cable your optical disc drive is on, and double check for the same problems. 2) Possible bad memory. A couple suggestions would be that if you have multiple sticks of RAM to try one stick then the other to see if the same errors appear with each one installed. You can also run a memory testing program like memtest86. Also, I would remove, and reseat your memory just incase you accidentally knocked it while changing out the hard drive. 3) Bad partition or drive. If your up to it, reinstall Windows, but this time do a regular format of the drive, and not a "quick format" if you chose it the last time. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Mar 30, 2006, 07:22 AM	Thread Starter #3
Data1232 DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Right. Behind. You. Posts: 180 Rep Power: 0	Thanks TipStaff, it was bad memory. Really bad memory...but new modules are in and everything's working like a charm. Sorry it took so long to post a reply, IB exam preps are eating my free time... Thanks again! __________________ Windows XP Pro 32-bit Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 2 GB DDR2-800 eVGA 680i XFX GeForce Ultra 8800 () Creative X-Fi Gamer

Mar 30, 2006, 09:06 AM	#4
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	You welcome, Data. Glad you got it fixed. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.