[lunacat]

Hello, I tried to install Windows XP Home on my new hard drive. When I tried to install it, it hangs at 39 minutes and gives me the error:

An error has been encountered that prevents Setup from continuing.

Setup failed to install the product catalogs. This is a fatal error. The setup log files should contain more information.

I kind of left it alone for a while and since then want to install Windows XP Pro. I tried to insert the Pro cd, but it wouldn't continue installation since it prepared installation from the Home cd. I've created boot disks with fdisk and format in order to just wipe the drives. However, the computer will not open the disk. I hear that it reads it but then doesn't load anything. I've used this same kind of disk for another PC and it works fine. I know the floppy drive on this pc works because when I tried to install Raid drivers previously, it read it.

I just want to remove the Win XP Home install so I can use my other Win XP Pro to install. Thanks!

[leroys1000]

Instead of trying to continue the installation,boot to the XP pro
cd and when it get to where it asks which partition to install to,
read and follow the instructions to delete the partitions.
The select the unallocated space to install to.
If you have any other hard drives connected with data on them
you want to keep,don't delete those partitions.

[lunacat]

Originally Posted by lunacat

Hello, I tried to install Windows XP Home on my new hard drive. When I tried to install it, it hangs at 39 minutes and gives me the error:

I kind of left it alone for a while and since then want to install Windows XP Pro. I tried to insert the Pro cd, but it wouldn't continue installation since it prepared installation from the Home cd. I've created boot disks with fdisk and format in order to just wipe the drives. However, the computer will not open the disk. I hear that it reads it but then doesn't load anything. I've used this same kind of disk for another PC and it works fine. I know the floppy drive on this pc works because when I tried to install Raid drivers previously, it read it.

I just want to remove the Win XP Home install so I can use my other Win XP Pro to install. Thanks!

Originally Posted by leroys1000

Instead of trying to continue the installation,boot to the XP pro
cd and when it get to where it asks which partition to install to,
read and follow the instructions to delete the partitions.
The select the unallocated space to install to.
If you have any other hard drives connected with data on them
you want to keep,don't delete those partitions.

When I put in the CD, it doesn't boot from it, it just loads Windows immediately and goes straight to the install where it left off.

[leroys1000]

Make sure the first boot device in the BIOS setup is set
to CDROM.
Watch the screen for "press any key to boot to CD" and
press a key.

[lunacat]

That prompt doesn't show up. It loads the BIOS, then goes to the Windows load screen, then to the Setup

[leroys1000]

OK,lets try to lock down the problem.
Is the hard drive SATA or IDE?
If IDE,how is it connected and is the jumper configured correctly?
What problems were you having that caused you to get a new drive?
How old is the computer?
Sounds like a drive is not configured properly or is not being
detected properly.

[lunacat]

The HD is SATA, and it's a new custom built computer

[leroys1000]

Go into the BIOS setup,probably under integrated periferals
and see if there is an option to set the sata controller to IDE.
Is the CD/DVD also sata?
Under advanced CMOS settings,set cdrom to first boot device.