XP Upgrade crash and strange screen

  • Thread starter Thread starter Langdon Alger
  • Start date Start date
L

Langdon Alger

Hi -
I am trying to upgrade one of me PCs from 98SE to XP. The process seems
to go OK until the point where it says Installing Windows, 34 minutes left,
installing devices. At that point, the screen goes blank, setup ends, and I
get this strange looking screen that looks kind of like wallpaper with
vertical lines. Not wallpaper on your PC, but on your wall. It's like when
they show viruses on TV that look rediculous.
Does anyone have any ideas? Also, when trying to get online help from
MSFT, they ask for the product ID. I can't seem to find that. I looked on
the Certificate of Authenticity, but none of those numbers works...

Thanks.
 
Physically disconnect all peripheral hardware devices from your PC,
except your monitor, mouse and keyboard. Then go out and get two
PS/2 adapters and use them to connect your keyboard and mouse
to the PS/2 ports in lieu of using the USB connections, then proceed
with a "Repair Install".

Windows XP SP1 Installation Stops Responding with About 34 Minutes Remaining
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;815319&Product=winxp

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| Hi -
| I am trying to upgrade one of me PCs from 98SE to XP. The process seems
| to go OK until the point where it says Installing Windows, 34 minutes left,
| installing devices. At that point, the screen goes blank, setup ends, and I
| get this strange looking screen that looks kind of like wallpaper with
| vertical lines. Not wallpaper on your PC, but on your wall. It's like when
| they show viruses on TV that look rediculous.
| Does anyone have any ideas? Also, when trying to get online help from
| MSFT, they ask for the product ID. I can't seem to find that. I looked on
| the Certificate of Authenticity, but none of those numbers works...
|
| Thanks.
 
Hi -
Thanks for the response, but I am using a laptop and don't have any
USB devices attached, nor do I have an external keyboard or mouse...
Anything else?

Thanks
 
Hi, Langdon.

What is the make and model of your PC? If it came with Win98SE
pre-installed, it may not meet the more-demanding hardware requirements to
install WinXP.

HOW are you trying to do the upgrade? Do you have a retail version of the
WinXP CD-ROM? (Either Home Edition or Professional Editon should work;
either the update or the full version should work.) Did you get your WinXP
from the maker of your computer? An OEM version will NOT perform an
upgrade; it expects to be installed on a virgin system with no prior OS or
applications.

A retail WinXP package should include a Product ID, alongside a bright
orange sticker that says, "Do Not Lose This Number!". Did you get that? It
probably will not be on the outside of the box, but on the CD "jewel case"
inside the retail box.

You might want to have a look at this website:
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/Resources_Action.mspx

RC
 
Hi RC -
Thanks for the reply. My PC is a Dell Inspiron 5000E circa 2000. It
came with 98SE on it. I have 256MB of RAM and 4 GB free on the hard drive.
I don't remember the processor speed... I would imagine this is enough
power to upgrade.
I got the XP Pro upgrade disc directly from Microsoft, although at this
point I am wishing I had gotten the full version... I haven't been able to
find the Product ID. The Product Key is the one inside the package with the
"DONT LOSE" sticker.
An interesting tidbit, when I first began the install, the resolution of
the screen was pretty high. Sometime right before the crash, the resolution
dropped and has stayed at that point since...
Any other ideas?

Thanks.
 
Hi, Langdon.

I don't have all the answers, but a few thoughts...
came with 98SE on it. I have 256MB of RAM and 4 GB free on the hard
drive.
Click to expand...

The RAM should be adequate (but more is always better; 512 MB seems to be
the "sweet spot" these days). But 4 GB is barely enough for WinXP itself,
because it grows. One GB - or maybe even a little less - is enough to get
it installed, but then as you use it, free space disappears quickly. Just a
few years ago, 4 GB was a "monster drive"; now 20 GB is barely enough, it
seems. I have WinXP on 8 GB of my 9 GB first HD, and there's less than 1 GB
free, although most programs and data are on my 30 and 120 GB HDs. :>(
I got the XP Pro upgrade disc directly from Microsoft, although at this
point I am wishing I had gotten the full version...
Click to expand...

The actual contents should be identical, except that the upgrade will ask
for proof that you have a qualifying product if it doesn't detect one
already installed. After installation, there's no difference between the
upgrade and full version of WinXP.
I haven't been able to
find the Product ID. The Product Key is the one inside the package with
the
"DONT LOSE" sticker.
Click to expand...

My mistake! I used the wrong term for the Product Key. After installation,
you can see the Product ID in several ways. The easiest way is with
WinKey+Break. That is, hold down the Windows logo key and press
Pause/Break. The System Properties window will pop up in your face. The
Product ID is under Registered to:, after your name. At least, it is on my
home-built system; I don't have a Dell. And I don't know how to find the
Product ID before installation.
An interesting tidbit, when I first began the install, the resolution
of
the screen was pretty high. Sometime right before the crash, the
resolution
dropped and has stayed at that point since...
Click to expand...

You may need to update your graphics drivers, then go to Display Properties
and change the resolution. WinXP handles hardware much differently from
Win9x/ME, so drivers written for one version almost certainly won't work for
the other. Many drivers are on the WinXP CD-ROM and some updates are
available on Windows Update, but the vendor's website should have the latest
and greatest.

RC
 
sorry, didn't mean to place that post where I did, I meant to put it at the
bottom.... there goes my etiquette again.
 
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