Win2K install reboot in the middle of Performing final tasks

[pgnski]

I have a Dell Dimension 4300 that had ME and I started the Win2K Pro install. All was going fine until Performing final tasks. Install start menu items went OK. Register components went OK. Upgrades programs and system setting fails before 1/2 way point reboots and restarts setup. I've tried making changes but same loop over and over. Any ideas?

 

[bcastner]

Upgrades from previous operating system versions are generally lukewarm ideas at best, but an upgrade from Windows ME leaves me completely cold as an idea.

You should know that an upgrade from Windows ME to Windows 2000 is not supported by Microsoft.

Before you rush to perform an upgrade installation, keep in mind that only paths from specific operating systems to specific versions of Windows 2000 are actually supported as upgrades. These paths are as follows:

Windows 95, 98, and 98 SE can be upgraded to Windows 2000 Professional.
Windows NT 3.51 Workstation can be upgraded to Windows 2000 Professional.
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation can be upgraded to Windows 2000 Professional.
Windows NT 3.51 Server can be upgraded to Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2000 Advanced Server.
Windows NT 4.0 Server can be upgraded to Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2000 Advanced Server.
Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server can be upgraded to Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2000 Advanced Server.
Windows NT 4.0 Enterprise Server can be upgraded to Windows 2000 Advanced Server or Windows 2000 Datacenter Server.

No other upgrade paths are possible. Don't even try. Just give it up, backup your data and perform a new clean installation of Windows 2000.

 

[bcastner]

Also, as prerequisites:

. Check and install if available any BIOS updates available for your machine;

. Install to a workstation in which all unecessary hardware and peripherals has been disconnected and/or removed;

. Check your RAM. Win2k is much more demanding of RAM than Windows ME. Either of these utilities will suffice:

http://public.planetmirror.com/pub/memtest86/

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

If after an extended test there are any errors, replace the RAM.

. Check with Dell ahead of time and make sure that you have a downloaded driver set for any Dell OEM installed components.

 

[pgnski]

Thanks for the info. My problem is that I started it and now it's stuck in this loop. Is there a way to back it out or stop it so I can backup my data?

 

[superjet]

A dirty or scratched Windows 2000 disk will cause this to happen too.
I have run into that myself.