WINXP WANT INSTALL

[Huffware]

I'm trying to install my WindowsXP Home Edition(not upgrade version) on my Gateway Performance 600. I have already formated the new 40GB HD using floppy disk format. When I start the computer with the XP in the DVD drive it asks to boot from the disk and I hit enter and it starts loading all kinds of drivers and stuff until it gets to the end and says "SETUP IS STARTING WINDOWS" then it just freezes everytime. what could be causing this?

[Huffware]

Now I'm getting a message that says "File \i386\ntkrnlmp.exe could not be loaded. The error code is 7 Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit".

[sjslall]

The problem is in the hardware. Could be either the motherboard or bad ram.
Try changing the RAM modules, normally does work in both cases (Setup freeze and ntkrnlmp.exe

[Huffware]

I loaded windows 98se on the same HD to see if it would take and it done fine.

[BipolarBill]

XP is more sensitive to bad RAM than Win98 is.

Check the CD for damage/scratches. If it's a copy, use an original CD.

[Midknyte]

why did you format the drive with a floppy? the winxp setup will format drives also.

at least run memtest and a hard drive diag:

Tech Tools (http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=173743)

[Huffware]

Well first of it's not a copy it's my original XP CD 2nd I tried booting with the cd and kept getting that message so I just thought I would format with a floppy to make sure the HD was clean. now when it gets through loading xp files it freezes in the blue screen and says "A PROBLEM HAS BEEN DETECTED AND WINDOWS HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN TO PRVENT DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER. PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA TECHNICAL INFORMATION: *** STOP: Ox00000050 (0xBADQBAF8,0x00000000,0x80843AA5,0x00000000)

[Sterling_Aug]

Non paged faults are almost always RAM problems.

[Midknyte]

Did you run memtest or not? that's the first thing you should try. don't waste time with software fixes if the hardware is bad. don't build a house on a bad foundation.

just because the drive is "clean" doesn't mean jack. winxp can format the drive, plus you'd need to use winxp to format with ntfs.

[BipolarBill]

It could also be a corrupt hard drive - bad sectors. You should run a RAM test and use the drive maker's utility to examine the drive.

www.memtest86.com

[Huffware]

OK, I'LL TRY SOME MORE RAM. XP REQUIRES AT LEAST 128MB RIGHT? or maybe it was 64MB.

[Huffware]

SHOULD I FORMAT WITH FAT32 QUICK FORMAT?

[crossedup]

Whichever format is fine, fat 32 or ntfs. Individual preference.

[Huffware]

OK, I'm running that memory tester program right now. As for my HD I loaded my win 98se on it with no problem.

[crossedup]

You will want at LEAST 128 with xp, I would recommend 192 and a good defragmenter as a start.

How old is that thing?? Easier to ask than look. :p

[Huffware]

Looks like it's going to take a few minutes to run this memory tester so I will get back with how it turns out as soon as it get finished.

[BipolarBill]

More RAM? No - you need different RAM if it's bad.

www.crucial.com

[Huffware]

This computer was given to me by a friend. It's a Gateway600, PIII 600MHZ, 40GB HD, 256MB... I think it's a 1999-2000 model..

[Huffware]

Well, the tester has frozzen up, I guess it is the memory....