Windows XP upgrade from Windows 2000 Locks up

[Joel]

I am trying to upgrade a friends computer from windows 2000 to windows xp. The unit is older, maybe about 5 yrs old, but it meets all the hardware requirements to run xp. The problem I am having is when it restarts after copying the installation files to the harddrive. It goes to the OS selection screen and "Continue Windows Installation" is the selected option, so I hit enter to accept it. Then the screen goes blank and the "Windows Setup is Starting" portion appears at the bottom of the screen with the progress bar. However it never progresses from this point. It is as if it has locked up, but the funny thing is I can hit ctrl+alt+del and it restarts the computer to the OS select and either I can rip my hair out again waiting for hours for it to progress or I can start windows 2000.

I thought there might be a problem with the disc at first so I tried my XP pro full version cd and tried a boot installation. The computer will detect the boot files on the CD and load the setup program. But normally the setup program will begin right away loading drivers and installation files once you see the blue screen with the words "Windows Setup" accross the top, however it just sits there at that point for as long as I let it (hours and hours and painful hours).

So does anyone know the reason or the fix to this problem. Could it be the harddrive, or a cable inside the computer, the motherboard, faulty memory, or what? I am clueless on this one.

[pa1916]

I am trying to upgrade a friends computer from windows 2000 to windows xp. The unit is older, maybe about 5 yrs old, but it meets all the hardware requirements to run xp. The problem I am having is when it restarts after copying the installation files to the harddrive. It goes to the OS selection screen and "Continue Windows Installation" is the selected option, so I hit enter to accept it. Then the screen goes blank and the "Windows Setup is Starting" portion appears at the bottom of the screen with the progress bar. However it never progresses from this point. It is as if it has locked up, but the funny thing is I can hit ctrl+alt+del and it restarts the computer to the OS select and either I can rip my hair out again waiting for hours for it to progress or I can start windows 2000.

I thought there might be a problem with the disc at first so I tried my XP pro full version cd and tried a boot installation. The computer will detect the boot files on the CD and load the setup program. But normally the setup program will begin right away loading drivers and installation files once you see the blue screen with the words "Windows Setup" accross the top, however it just sits there at that point for as long as I let it (hours and hours and painful hours).

So does anyone know the reason or the fix to this problem. Could it be the harddrive, or a cable inside the computer, the motherboard, faulty memory, or what? I am clueless on this one.

[pa1916]

You can't upgrade from W2000 to WXP you have to upgrade with WXP PRO sorry.

If you want WXP you will require a full version of WXP and a full system reinstall.

[Joel]

You can't upgrade from W2000 to WXP you have to upgrade with WXP PRO sorry.

If you want WXP you will require a full version of WXP and a full system reinstall.

I tried that too. It locks up at the "Windows Setup" screen, the blue one where all the installation files should be loading. I am kind of thinking there might be a bios conflict. Im not sure however if that could be the cause.

[pa1916]

It won't be a bios problem i run WXP on an 8 year old HP Brio no problem.

In your case you will have to delete the partition and start afresh you have this option on set up BUT ALL DATA WILL BE LOST you will require your mobo driver disk and any other disks for added software.

[-pops-]

I always think that installing to a new hard drive or at least one that has been re-formatted is the best way to install a new operating system on a computer.

The best way is to install on to a new drive so that it is guaranteed that there are no old O/S residues remaining to interfere with the new install. You then re-format and use the old drive as a slave in the new system.

My experience is that upgrades/installs alongside of/dual boot installs are more trouble than they are worth.

[Joel]

I always think that installing to a new hard drive or at least one that has been re-formatted is the best way to install a new operating system on a computer.

The best way is to install on to a new drive so that it is guaranteed that there are no old O/S residues remaining to interfere with the new install. You then re-format and use the old drive as a slave in the new system.

My experience is that upgrades/installs alongside of/dual boot installs are more trouble than they are worth.

Unfortunately it seems that everyone is missunderstanding my problem. I can not even get past the beginning of the setup program. It locks up before it can give me any options, copy any setup files, load any devices.

[-pops-]

OK, can you install the drive in another computer and then format from there. If the drive is functioning OK, this process will remove any residues that are acting to obstruct installation of a new operating system. If the drive is faulty, you will find out during the format.