Reinstalling WinXP blank screen

[5cupa]

got a weird problem with my laptop. I want to re-install windows xp. i put in the disk and it says checking hardware and then just goes blank screen.

i know all the hardware works and i know its not a problem with the disk as I have tried others. have also tried changing the ram etc.


any ideas?

[Splash]

I had this a few times with some HP laptops at work. Turned out that the optical drive wasn't quite 100% (it seemed to be reading fine, but occasionally pooed it's pants) - replaced the drive and all was fine.

[5cupa]

the weird thing is it reads any of the other cd's just fine.

[Splash]

Yep, exact same problem I had! Is it a laptop with a hot-swap CDROM? If not could you not do a network install?

[5cupa]

i dont think its a hot swap i will check when i get home

thanks for the help, i;ll let you know how i get on incase u have any other ideas

[Splash]

No probs. As I say, if it comes down to it you could always boot from a network bootcd (if that works!) and run a network install by sharing out the CD from another machine.


EDIT - just a thought - do you have any USB devices connected when trying to reinstall?

[5cupa]

nope. it loads the winxp cd says checking hardware and then nothing

[Splash]

And you're 100% certain it couldn't be duff media? I'd be looking at a network install in that case.

[5cupa]

reformatted the hdrive before trying and now all is well. a bit odd really but at least all is working

[Splash]

Odd indeed! Oh well, sorry I couldn't help!

[5cupa]

thanks anyways its something to check in the future