PCTech Forums

hello - i've been trying to load win 2k pro on a compaq presario 5wv270. this machine originally had ME on it, and i have loaded 2k on it several times (it was my father's, and he kept acquiring viruses). at this point, it hangs somewhere between the set up files and the time zone setting (just freezes), and when i try to restart, it has to start the os load all over. i have tried changing out the hard drive, as well as reseated cables and used both of it's cd roms, but i get the same result. i spoke with hp/compaq support and they tried to get me to download a rompaq on my good pc and transport with a floppy, but i just get the 'invalid system disc, please remove and strike any key' error when i try to get the file on the bad pc.

i have no idea where to look next, and i was hoping someone here might know something that i don't (which is very likely).

thanks,

jason

Check the CD check to see that its clean and hold it up to the light and examine it for deep scratches (on the painted side where you stick the label)--its not hard to mess one up if you put it in the cd tray skewed and then close the tray.

If you can eliminate the cd as a problem, you can hope that its the power supply and not the motherboard.

2000 will choke real fast on bad memory--so I'd just about rule that out.

If you have a copy of win98, pull all the cards except the video and try an install with that. Then put the cards in one at a time and see if it errors out.

hey - i do have 98. i'll give that a shot. i wasn't sure even where to look, but that sounds like good troubleshooting.

thanks again.......

FYI I've had several cd's that failed to install because of an invisible error on the cd--it does happen, even on Microsoft CD's.