Omnibook XE3 windows installation issues.

Ok, so I just recently got an HP Omnibook Xe3 as a gift from a friend. I live old tech, and gizmos, so I wanted to fix it up and make it a functional laptop for someone who needs one. Anyway, I installed XP Pro on it, and everything was just fine. All the drivers were working, every bit on the laptop worked properly, loud speakers, etc etc. I started updating it with windows update, and then BLAM, BSOD right in the middle of updating. Very bad.

I restarted the computer and everything was fine until I logged in. It immediately blue screened and then restarted. This happened every time I started it up. I gave up on restarting and attempted to reinstall windows. The XP Pro disk I have is flawless, so it baffled me when the computer said It couldn't copy specific files. It would reach the stage where it was copying files for installation, and get to about 45% before it said it couldn't copy specific files (I tried installing like 5 times). My disk is flawless, and the computer itself is immaculate, it looks like it was never used. Could this be a HD problem or something?

I would love to have this computer working as it is a lovely little monster who will make someone happy. I have a sneaking fear that the issue lies within the MB which would make me very sad. Anyway, if anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them.

 

Make a copy of the XP disc, then try re-installing XP. I have seen them fail even when they looked in good shape.

 

I've done this actually. I have a buttload of XP Pro copies sitting around my project desk, you would think I have some piracy operation going on. I have begun to suspect that it could possibly be a RAM issue, which would be unfortunate as I do not feel like buying ram for this laptop just yet. I do have a few 128 chips lying about, but having a machine with 256mgs ram in it would make me sad, even if it is older. This is me digressing though. I just want it to work.

 

Could try a Linux Live CD to see if it boots.