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XP does not install after I nuked HDD with dban.

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 12:21 pm
by dawgman
I nuked the HDD in my Dell Latitude D420 and tried a clean install of XP Home. The PC loads files from the CD OK but it stops when the message "Preparing to run Windows" is displayed, following the file loading. The screen then displays a message that essentially says that Windows has stopped in order to prevent damage to the computer and suggests several generic things to check. It also displays some hex numbers followed by "pci.sys," with its location in hex.

Could this be a bios problem (the PC worked before I nuked the HDD), or is it more likely that the Windows CD is loading a driver that is incompatible with this Dell PC? I've heard that Dell PCs are kind of finicky about using only their own drivers.

I'm no expert, but it doesn't seem to me that this problem is the result of using dban to wipe the HDD? But, I've been wrong before.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:48 pm
by StopSpazzing
Im guessing your windows cd is scratched or dirty. Gently clean it with soap and water (or isopropyl alcohol) and dry it off completely and then try again.

Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:37 pm
by dawgman
Thanks for the tip. Once the CD was fixed, the problem went away. Installation now complete.

Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:20 pm
by StopSpazzing
dawgman wrote:Thanks for the tip. Once the CD was fixed, the problem went away. Installation now complete.
You are welcome.