Problem Installing Windows XP On Laptop

[chunky]

I have carried out this exercise many times before without any problem.

On this occasion I installed installed xp without a problem as usual but the following day when I booted up the laptop it would not boot from the hard drive.

I inserted the Windows installation disc hoping to carry out a repair but "Setup" would not load. The "Setup" operation "Hung" ie stopped working with the on screen message " Setup is inspecting your computer hardware configuration".

I inserted another used and formatted hard drive and attempted to install xp on that one thinking there was a problem with the old hdd. However once again the setup hung at the point where "Setup is inspecting your computer hardware configuration"

Any help with this problem would be much appreciated. Thanks

[hal9000]

Do any of the drives show up in the BIOS?

You could try a laptop reset. Although it differs between laptops, a common way is to take the battery out and unplug, hold the power button for 30-40 seconds, plug it in and then turn it back on.

Also, download, burn and run a test on the memory using Memtest86+

[Raymond]

If your computer hung halfway during a clean Windows installation, it is mostly caused by faulty hardware.
It's either RAM, motherboard or CPU.
You should test your RAM first since it is possible to do that using a software suggested by hal9000.

[chunky]

There was no problems with the first installation of XP and prior to shutting down. The problem occurred when I restarted the laptop the following day. I have tried all that has been suggested so far thanks but because I am at a loss at the moment I thought I would post to see if anyone has had this problem also.
I have run tests using the Ultimate Boot CD and all tests carried out have passed ok.
My only thought is, is there a password in the BIOS locking out the new hard drive?

[hal9000]

If you can get into and move around the BIOS without problems or it asking for a password, then there isn't a password locking you out of anything. You haven't said whether you can see any HDD in the BIOS. If you can't, then there's little point trying install cd's or repair disks because nothing's being picked up and you need to get that first.

If none of your drives are being detected, then it's likely to be a controller problem or some other motherboard issue. Not a cheap fix I'm afraid.

[chunky]

@hal9000
The answer to your question is yes. I can get into the bios and move around without a problem. All drives show in the bios and it tells me that the hdd is 30gb.
I have also now run a Hirens Boot cd and in one of the hard drive tests it flags up that the hdd as locked and there is a password showing. Does anyone know how to unlock the hdd because I have not set any passwords. Thanks

[hal9000]

Is this on the newer drive or both? If the password lock is on the HDD itself, it is incredibly difficult, if not impossible to get off (for free) as it's in the drives firmware. They can sometimes crop up after the drives firmware has been updated / altered, or if a drive has come from a laptop which the password was set on.

[chunky]

The lock is on both the hdds
Thanks to everyone who has contributed. As this is an old laptop and does not owe me anything I think the way around it is to call it a day and purchase a new one.
I may still continue, when I have time, to try and solve how it can be unlocked at no cost because I don`t like to be defeated.
Thanks again

[Bearcat]

I may still continue, when I have time, to try and solve how it can be unlocked at no cost because I don`t like to be defeated.

I know what you mean mate about hating to give up, as I am the same way. Some people call me stubborn, but I call it perserverence! Good luck in your attempt.

[hal9000]

I'm in that category as well. Lost count of the number of hours I've wasted finding ways to get hardware working or trying to sort out dodgy O/S installs when a reinstall would have been miles quicker! It does make you feel good though if you can sort it in the end however long it takes...