XP pro installation fatal error

[Million]

Hi all. I recently upgraded the basic unit of my PC from A64 to C2D. When I came to do a fresh install of the OS, I get this message:
Error:
Installation failed: G:\1386\asms. Error message: The parameter is incorrect

Fatal error:
One of the components windows needs to continue setup could not be installed

The parameter is incorrect

I googled this and found that people had success using an alternative DVD drive, or by using only the simplest of their hardware setup for the first install of the OS. I tried an alternative DVD drive and have the same problem. I also tried with one HDD and half the RAM and this didn't help. Does anyone have any idea what's going wrong and what I can do?

Thanks, this is really doing my nut!

[IAmATeaf]

I'd check the install CD to make sure there are no problems with it, if the CDs fine then I'd suspect your RAM, get a copy of MemTest86+ and run that to see what it reports.

[Lucio]

Just to check, are you reusing the HDD from your old machine? If so, you'll just need to format it using something like a Linux Live CD or old Windows 98 disc before you can re-use it. It's a common place problem when switching processor types.

[this_is_gav]

Just to check, are you reusing the HDD from your old machine? If so, you'll just need to format it using something like a Linux Live CD or old Windows 98 disc before you can re-use it. It's a common place problem when switching processor types.

Or the XP CD?

Unless he's doing an upgrade or repair installation, then this shouldn't be relevant. Just sounds like duff memory to me.

[Million]

thanks for the replies guys. Yes, i'm installing on the HDD from the last setup I had, so that may be the problem. I take it the formatting option the XP CD gives before install doesn't cut it then? I've tried that. Is there a small program I can run from a USB stick that will format my hard drive properly then?

[IAmATeaf]

The format within the initial load of XP from the CD should be fine, I assume you're getting the problem during the actual install, in which case see my reply above.

[Lucio]

Or the XP CD?

Unless he's doing an upgrade or repair installation, then this shouldn't be relevant. Just sounds like duff memory to me.

Nope! You'd think but it really doesn't work smoothly

I've had this problem on two reinstalls where someone's going from an AMD chip to an Intel chip, the Windows XP disc simply will not allow a clean installation to take place and frequently crashes before you can even format the discs.

Best bet is to find another way to wipe down the HDD before you try and use it.


Not saying it couldn't be duff memory, but personally I'd eliminate this variable first before you try chasing after hardware faults.

[this_is_gav]

I disagree. There's no effort at all involved in setting off Memtest and going to grab a cuppa or 2 and a read of the paper.

[Million]

Ran memtest and it found nothing in 5 hours. Boy that was a fun 5 hours

[Lanky123]

I had this problem simply trying to reinstall XP after it got clogged up after 5 years...I tried absolutely tons of solutions, including 2 official cds incase one was faulty. Turned out they both probably were, as the only way i got it to work was with a burned copy of XP i downloaded.

As you say its a common problem, and different solutions seem to work for different people:

http://www.nocrash.com/ncbbs/msgs/1075.shtml