OT: More computer help needed.

[LionsFan10]

Hi,

Just bought my girlfriend a new barebones computer today as well as a brand new maxtor 60 gig hard drive to go with it. The computer came with ASUS mother board, pentium 4 2.6 ghz proc and 512 RAM. I also bought her a BRAND NEW version of Windows XP Home Edition (Full Version).

Get home, throw everything in there, begin to install windows ... fatal error. WHY? What could possibly be wrong already?

Error message reads:

Fatal Error
"an error has been encountered that prevents setup from continuing.

one of the components that windows needs to continue setup could not be installed.

the volume for a file has been externally altered so that the opened file is no longer valid."

Need help, please. Anybody :mad:

[MizzouRah]

Memory?


Todd

[LionsFan10]

Memory?


Todd

I wish it were, although I don't think that's the problem. I just updated the original post with the error message to help out.

[MizzouRah]

When you run Windows XP Setup, you may experience one of the following symptoms: • You may receive an error message that is similar to the following:
Fatal Error: An error has been encountered that prevents setup from continuing.
One of the components that Windows needs to continue setup could not be installed.
Press OK to view the setup log file.
• Setup may stop unexpectedly, you receive a black screen with a blinking cursor, and then the computer restarts.

CAUSE
This issue may occur if Setup cannot correctly read files from the Windows XP CD.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, follow these steps: 1. Remove the Windows XP CD from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and examine it for damage or scratches. If the CD shows any signs of damage, skip the following steps. Use the information that is listed at the end of the "Resolution" section of this article to obtain a replacement CD from Microsoft. If you have to, clean the CD.
2. If you upgrade to an existing installation of Windows, follow these steps: a. Insert the Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
b. Click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then press ENTER.
c. At the command prompt, type xcopy CD-DriveLetter\I386\*.* c:\i386\*.* /s /e, and then press ENTER. For example, if your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is designated as d:, type d:\I386\*.* c:\i386\*.* /s /e.

Note Because of the size of the I386 folder, this process may take a few minutes.
d. Type c:\i386\winnt32.exe, and then press ENTER.

3. If you install Windows XP on a computer that is not currently running Windows, follow these steps: a. Insert a Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) or Microsoft Windows 98 Startup disk in the floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer.
b. Insert the Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
c. Type xcopy CD-DriveLetter\I386\*.* c:\i386\*.* /s /e, and then press ENTER. For example, if your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is designated as d:, type d:\I386\*.* c:\i386\*.* /s /e.

Note Because of the size of the I386 folder, this process may take few minutes.
d. Type c:\i386\winnt.exe, and then press ENTER.

[LionsFan10]

When you run Windows XP Setup, you may experience one of the following symptoms: • You may receive an error message that is similar to the following:
Fatal Error: An error has been encountered that prevents setup from continuing.
One of the components that Windows needs to continue setup could not be installed.
Press OK to view the setup log file.
• Setup may stop unexpectedly, you receive a black screen with a blinking cursor, and then the computer restarts.

CAUSE
This issue may occur if Setup cannot correctly read files from the Windows XP CD.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, follow these steps: 1. Remove the Windows XP CD from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and examine it for damage or scratches. If the CD shows any signs of damage, skip the following steps. Use the information that is listed at the end of the "Resolution" section of this article to obtain a replacement CD from Microsoft. If you have to, clean the CD.
2. If you upgrade to an existing installation of Windows, follow these steps: a. Insert the Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
b. Click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then press ENTER.
c. At the command prompt, type xcopy CD-DriveLetter\I386\*.* c:\i386\*.* /s /e, and then press ENTER. For example, if your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is designated as d:, type d:\I386\*.* c:\i386\*.* /s /e.

Note Because of the size of the I386 folder, this process may take a few minutes.
d. Type c:\i386\winnt32.exe, and then press ENTER.

3. If you install Windows XP on a computer that is not currently running Windows, follow these steps: a. Insert a Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) or Microsoft Windows 98 Startup disk in the floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer.
b. Insert the Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
c. Type xcopy CD-DriveLetter\I386\*.* c:\i386\*.* /s /e, and then press ENTER. For example, if your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is designated as d:, type d:\I386\*.* c:\i386\*.* /s /e.

Note Because of the size of the I386 folder, this process may take few minutes.
d. Type c:\i386\winnt.exe, and then press ENTER.

Thanks for the quick responce, the disc was OEM so it came in some plastic wrap, this is a very feasible cause. I noticed that when I threw my Windows XP UPGRADE version in the drive, it began to actually install but then the CD key part came and ended that dream :rolleyes:

[MizzouRah]

Thanks for the quick responce, the disc was OEM so it came in some plastic wrap, this is a very feasible cause. I noticed that when I threw my Windows XP UPGRADE version in the drive, it began to actually install but then the CD key part came and ended that dream :rolleyes:

Yep, probably a bad CD. That stinks.


Todd

[LionsFan10]

W00T, thanks for the tip Mizzou, I took the CD out, wiped it off carefully with my t-shirt and not it seems to be working!

Thanks brother.

[MizzouRah]

W00T, thanks for the tip Mizzou, I took the CD out, wiped it off carefully with my t-shirt and not it seems to be working!

Thanks brother.

Great news!!

Another victory for google. :)


Todd