XP Pro hangs during repair installation

[Shinken]

I'm running into a wall trying to do a recovery installation of Windows XP Pro.

The background of the problem is simply that this XP OS was so corrupted that it would not even load in Safe Mode. Well, actually it would after perhaps 5 minutes or more, and then would shut down due to a system failure. I pulled the HDD and backed it up to an external USB HDD, reinstalled it, and have tried several times to to a recovery installation of XP Pro. The process always hangs at the same place, right after the "Installing Windows" process begins, the computer blinks for a second or so, then continues for a 2-3 minutes, and hangs (all activity stops except that the nice messages about XP continue to change) at the same time marker (35 seconds, although that's probably system dependent and not an absolute marker).

I have tried using a different WinXP Pro CD, in case the CD is defective, the encounter the same error, so I doubt it's on the CD.

The setup error log (C:\WINNT\setuperr.log) indicates the following:

Setup encountered an error while trying to set system security.
An extended error has occurred.
***
SXS.DLL: Syntax error in manifest or policy file "D:\I386\asms\10100\MSFT\WINDOWS\GDIPLUS\GDIPLUS.MAN" on line 4.
***
Error:
Installation Failed: D:\I386\asms. Error Message: The system cannot find the file specified.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

S

 

[5jgibbs]

hmm.. make sure your IDE cables are all the way in... check your ram, take 1 stick out, and leave 1 in.. reset your cmos..

format and reinstall from scratch.. "best bet

 

[linney]

Is there a mismatch ServicePack level between your broken installed version and the CD version of XP?

Along the lines of what "5jgibbs" was saying, these articles have checklists worth reading.

HOW TO: Prepare to Upgrade Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP(Q316639)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q316/6/39.asp

310064 - HOW TO: Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation When You Upgrade from Windows 98 or Windows Me

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310064&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

224826 - Troubleshooting Text-Mode Setup Problems on ACPI Computers

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;224826&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

XP Installation won't complete - Fatal Error
thread779-437447

"The File 'Asms' on Windows XP Professional CD-ROM Is Needed" Error Message When You Install Windows XP (Q311755)

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311755&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

XP Install - asms parameter incorrect -> ??
thread779-275422

 

[Shinken]

Thanks everyone. Nothing worked. I even pulled the GDIPLUS.MAN file and 2 associated x.dl_ files from the XP installation CD and copying them to the i386 folder; still nada.

I finally just backed the HDD up to a portable USB HDD and then brainwiped the computer; reformatted it; reinstalled XP Pro, etc. aaarRRRRGGGGHGHHHHHHH!!!!!!

S