Why does XP stop at 39 mins when repair/install?

[MALFIE]

I've noticed this on a few occasions..often enough that it isn't coincidence.. and on either Home or Pro..
There seems to be no way around it other than a clean, complete install, which of course loses everything..
It all cases there has been some or a good bit of hardware change..
I'd love to know if this can be overcome so that the worst is having to reactivate rather than totally reinstall.



"We do not stop playing because we are old, more likely we grow old because we stop playing...

 

[linney]

This first link mentions a problem at the 34 minute mark, 39 minutes would be the last part of the install if you believe the "Setup will complete in 39 minutes" message.

There are Setup logs in C/Windows you might be able to refer to via access from Recover Console or a parallel install of XP to see what is going on.


Reinstalling XP
thread779-649143



Windows Setup and Device Installation Logging

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/driver/install/setupapi.mspx

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

266465 - HOW TO: Perform a Parallel Installation of Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;266465&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

You can do the same with XP. Don't install any unnecessary program, just keep the parallel installation as simple as possible.

Another choice would be something like this - BartPE which is a mini XP running on just CD but able to access the hard drives.

http://www.nu2.nu/

 

[TomaszTed]

I encountered a similar problem about 14-18 months ago. That is my updates just cam to a virtual halt.

There was a Microsoft knowledge base item that indicated that some software products install an enormous amount of files with zero length somewhere in the root:\windows\ directory.

Suggest you do a search for files with zero length.

If you have an enormous quantity, that could be the culprit.

A the same time search Google Microsoft or search its knowledge base, searching for problems with zero length files.

Hope this helps.