Trouble installing windows XP... Can anybody help?

Question

First of all, dont ask me why I want to install windows XP when theres & or vista, cos the answer is inappropriate. It just has to be XP. So please...
I have a HP Compaq nw 8440 (mobile workstation laptop). I am assumign it got infected with some horrid virus after I connected a USB hard drive and failed to load the desktop saying the virtual memory was too low. Couldnt fix it any way so I tried re-installing windows. But it failed. So I "Sanitized" the hard disk using an option in the BIOS menu. It still cant install windows... When I tried with 3 different windows XP CDs, it showed some errors. Some times it stops right at the LOADING FILES step. The errors it shows are random. every time it says some file is corrupted.
Last two times I tried it showed errors that said;
"The file sym_u3.sys is corrupted."
"The file pcmcia.sys is corrupted."
I think every time it is a .SYS file that is corrupted. I Dont have a clue what might be wrong. Please HEEELLLPPPP!!!!
Note: I installed windows to my personal laptop using my XP CD. So I doubt its a problem with my CD.
PS: the troubled comp is my office laptop.

Answer 1

Low virtual memory isn't a virus and is easily corrected. You should have asked about that instead of 'sanitizing' the HDD.



A clean installation consists of removing all data from your hard disk by reformatting your hard disk and reinstalling the operating system and programs to an empty (clean) hard disk.



To boot from your CD/DVD, the BIOS settings on your computer must be configured to do this. On start up keep tapping either F1, F2, F10,(Be Aware that some manufacturers use F10 for system recovery!) Esc, or Del, to enter the BIOS set-up. Look for "Drive configuration", "Boot order" or similar and make the CD/DVD drive the first boot device and the hard drive the second. Save settings and exit.



Insert the CD/DVD into your CD/DVD drive, and then restart your computer.

When you see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press a key to start the computer from the CD/DVD.



Follow the instructions on the screen to select and format (NTFS) a partition where you want to install Windows.



Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Windows Setup.



Get some Anti-Virus protection and update Windows!



© arou42

Answer 2

Sounds like it is an OEM version of XP.

It can ONLY be installed on the computer it came with!

Your note at the end states you have the same CD installed on your personal laptop.

Can't have the same copy on more than one PC.

If the CD came with a PC it has the drivers etc for that PC not your work PC.

See the link below to buy a system builders version which will install on your work laptop assuming there is nothing wrong with it.

The disk must be formatted..

Answer 3

I do not think the external drive was at fault, it was just a coincidence.



Sometimes faulty RAM can also cause disk errors.

Try running memtest86 on it, and if the RAM seems OK, the prime suspects are disk controller and / or hard disk.



The disk can be replaced, but if the controller is dying, it is time for a new laptop.

Answer 4

You are getting some strange answers here. I assume you mean you are automatically booting into Safe Mode hence the menu with all the options. So why are people telling you to boot into Safe Mode? Try scheduling a check disk (chkdsk.exe). Click on My Computer and right click the C drive and select Properties and then the Tools tab. Click the Error Checking button and put a check mark next to the two options and reboot your computer.

Answer 5

It's not a big problem, You have to format your partition or remove ur partitions from win98 or other 3rd party software after that made ur partition in fat 32 format and then install win Xp in your harddisk.

Answer 6

iagree i would have yanked out the memory cards one by one

me - honestly get new as much ram as you can and reisntall or use you disc and run an error fix