xp installation freezes

[BrianLe]

I have a home built PC with a Pentium 4 processor, 80GB hard drive, 1G memory, and Windows XP Home.

When attempting to reload XP on the PC due to having a virus, the XP installation process stops during the "Installing Windows" stage with an error "VIAAGP1.sys" not found. It wants a file path, but the keyboard and mouse lock up.

I've tried to get into Safe Mode with F8 and Recovery Console with "R", but can't.

How can I completely wipe out the hard drive and reload all the software?

Thanks,

Brian

 

[wolluf]

When attempting to reload XP on the PC due to having a virus

How exactly did you attempt to reload XP (eg, did you boot from XP CD, choose new install then selected r to repair existing? Or did you say no to that and then installed into existing partition...)

If you boot from XP Cd , choose new install, do not take the repair option offered, then when asked where you want to install, use the partitioning tools to delete existing partition and then create a new one, should install ok.

This presumes of course that you have already backed up your data files elsewhere - as everything will be wiped by this.

PS. Normally if it prompts for that via file you can supply it on a floppy or CD. I've only ever seen that prompt during a repair reinstall.

 

[BrianLe]

Booted from the XP CD. Tried to install into existing partition but said it already existed. Not exactly sure what did next.

When boot now it automatically comes up to the screen with "Collecting Information", "Dynamic Update", "Preparing Installation", "Installing Windows", "Finalizing Installation". The VIAAGP1.SYS error comes up during the "Installing Windows" phase and the keyboard/mouse freeze so can't do anything else.

How can I get to to choose new install?

Else, is there a way to just reformat the hard drive, loose everything, and reinstall the software.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[wolluf]

If you boot from the XP install CD (make sure machine is set to boot from CD first), it won't go into second phase of install. You will get the option to do a new install again. Take this - then follow what I said in first reply.

If you boot from win98 boot floppy (

http://www.bootdisk.com

if you need to get one), you could use fdisk to remove the current XP partition (if its ntfs, it will appear as non-dos in fdisk). This will definitely stop the second phase of the install restarting (also you'll have to create partition during install).

 

[BrianLe]

The BIOS is set to boot from the CD-ROM first. When Windows starts, it comes up to "Setup is restarting ...", then continues with the installation automatically. There is no option to select the type of install.

Also, there is no floppy drive.

Do you have to pay for the suggested boot disks?

 

[linney]

Boot from your XP CD. You have about a second to "Press Any Key" when this message is displayed as the CD starts to load. If Setup is still looping after pressing "any key" then try the next suggestions.

Use the Recovery Console to replace the Boot.ini file with Boot.bak or get a Boot.ini file that doesn't have XP Setup as the Default Operating System. This will the stop the Boot-Setup loop. (These are System and Hidden files).

HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (Q289022)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q289/0/22.asp

See instructions at the end of this article.

316417 - "Setup Cannot Upgrade Some Settings" Error Message When You Reinstall Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316417&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

xp setup
thread779-576242

How do you stop an unwanted repair of XP?
thread779-746800




HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


For more help (shows enlargeable screenshots) go here.

http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm

 

[BrianLe]

I downloaded the bootdisk. When it boots it still goes to the installation and stops. I'll try the "press any key" suggestion and see how that works. I just can't get it to stop where I can do anything.

 

[BrianLe]

Tried pressing keys and still no luck.

 

[allteltec]

So computers have a option on the boot up to push a F key to select the boot device order,"I have seen F12" this will some times over ride the boot order set in BIOS. Also if you are useing USB key board that would have to be set it the bios also.

 

[linney]

Maybe you can get hold of an old 9x startup floppy and boot from that and use Fdisk to delete the partitions if your not interested in saving any data?

After running Fdisk the XP CD should be able to bootup, create partitions, and then format them.

 

[wolluf]

linney - I suggested that earlier! He then said no floppy drive.

brian - how did you try the boot disk if no floppy drive?

Are you getting the 'press any key to boot from CD' message? Presumably you must have got it and pressed a key in the first place - or you'd have never started the install and got where you are now? So, what's changed? Are you telling us the full story?

 

[funkytunaa]

There is sometimes a boot order which should be set so CD has the first option to boot from, also in some BIOS' there is an enable/disable boot from CD option.

Obviously make everything enabled to boot from the cd.

Another thing is there maybe an option to bypass the long boot sequence, hense it won't give you the option to boot from CD if this is the case you want the long one.

And lastly, just keep pressing the enter or space key as soon as you turn on the PC.

When you finally do get to the windows install, make sure you delete the partition before installing.

Cheers!!!!!!!

 

[linney]

Sorry for missing the "no floppy drive" my error, I thought that because you have obtained boot disks you may have a floppy drive.

It does sound like you are somehow booting from the hard drive ahead of the XP CD.

VIAAGP1.SYS - SOLVED

http://www.morinfamily.com:8888/blog/2005/03/02/1109823223000.html

Maybe you could try the idea of resetting your Bios to Safe Defaults. You could also turn off any Virus Scanning running from the Bios. Perhaps Windows may now complete the install, of course it may not too.

 

[BrianLe]

Thanks for all the help. Turns out it was related to the keyboard. The keyboard cord has a USB connector. Used an adapter to go from USB to round, and plugged the adapter into the round keyboard connector on the motherboard. Then when it booted up it came up to the installation setup as indicated in previous responses.

Thanks again.

Brian