Soltek EQ3702M mini barebones

[Zak33]

right...so the BIOS is all set up standard, the cpu is heatsinks up, the FAN is PLUGGED in....and the BIOS is set to boot up off CD Rom first.

The XP disk goes in, the PC boots, finds the XP disk, and loads ther first stuff...you hit F8 to accept Windows laws and regulations, then you delete the original partition totally leaving you with a blank and un formated HDD>..you choose to istall XP on it, choose NTFS and to use all of it.

Then you choose the format style (once its been done the long way, I think its fair to say the Quick option is acceptable after that)....

and it starts copying system files....and then STOPS at 3%.

Is that right?

How long have you left it at 3% for? Did you just try leaving it for an hour or so....?
Or does it reboot....or blue screen....or what?

[mjgreen1979]

Bios set as standard. CPU and heatsink fitted, cooler fan on, boots from CD first.

Exactly as you describe. Falls at copying shell32.dll, somtimes gets passed that or will go past it if you skip file.

You can't leave it for an hour or so, as it just sits on a screen asking to you want to retry or skip the file. If I skip the file then get a blue screen. Have to power off or reboot.

[Zak33]

blumin hell....thats not normal.

CAN YOU TRY A DIFFERENT CR ROM...even an old one....it is well worth a try . I promise its the best thing to try next.

[mjgreen1979]

Well I was unlucky enough to experience this be4 with a dodgy mobo bundle. Not a nice problem to deal with.

Am getting some1 to copy another Win XP CD for me. Would the CD-RW cause install problems? Is it worth installing XP via floppy drive rather than bootable? using FAT32?

[mjgreen1979]

Firstly can I say a BIG THANK YOU to all the people that have replied to this thread i.e. Mainly Gunbuster & Zak33, thanks guys.

My Shuttle is up and running, DVD & DVD Writer, working nice so far. Last night I installed the Crucial Branded 512 Mb PC3200 RAM, LiteOn DVD drive and all now working. So reakon it was the memory that was causing the major headache here.

Thank you once again!!

Am no using it as a DVD copying machine, sweet as a nut!

[Zak33]

thats illegal......

what on earth are you doing with a pirate copy of XP?

Its only £110 for an OEM XP PRo disk....all of your own.

Hexus is NOT for debate about illegal pirate software.....

there is no way around paying Bill Gates for his software.....and more importantly, you shouldnt want too......he made PC's possible for the likes of you and me.

[Zak33]

I have to say...I'm GUTTED about this thread.

GUnbsuter and I have tried SO HARD to help you, only to find you now want help with illegal piracy of the most important bit of software on your wntire PC

Sad....made me feel quite let down

[mjgreen1979]

Sorry Guys!

[Gunbuster]

Like Zak said £110 for XP pro isn't that much, especially compared to video card.
Also it intitles you to all the updates and service packs. When I don't feal like paying for a product (it isn't that important to me) I generally find a freeware or cheap alternative. I use openoffice.org instead of MS Office, as an office package virgin I found it alot easier to use than MS Office.
neowin.net's forum has a nice Freeware alternative list http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=119821

[mjgreen1979]

Thanks for the advice. I got it from Guys at work.
I have since ordered a legal vers of Win XP from ebuyer so I can get SP1 and all the updates installed.

Hope you don't hate me?

[Gunbuster]

Nah I don't hate you, it was just a disappointment after all the posts back and forth.

[Zak33]

I dont hate ya either....just think its vital that everybody, whether they hate Mr Gates for being so powerfull and rich or not, pays for what they use.

Glad its sorted