XP Installation Problems. Help !

Hi, i've just received my brand new zepto laptop and have tried to install windows xp pro on it (full cd, not upgrade).

I've got as far as it formatting, then copying all the files. Now it gets to the windows xp set up page. Now it says "fatal error" !

When this appears, it says 39 minutes remaining at the side, and has a fatal error box appear on the screen. It says:

"Fatal 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.

Press OK to view the Setup log file

____________________

When I open the log file it says:

Error:

The signature for windows xp professional setup is invalid. The error code is 800b0100

No signature was present in the subject.

Fatal error

Setup failed to install the product catalog. this is a fatal error. the setup log files should contain more information.

Error

Installation failed D:\I386\asms. Error Message. The data is invalid.

Fatal Error

One of the components that windows needs to continue setup could not be installed.

The data is invalid

______________

I've researched this and tried to find a solution, but I can't find one. Most people with the same error messages get it from using an upgrade to xp, so it's not the same for me.

I am now worried because i found alot of people mentioning it can be to do with bad RAM/processor.

I'm not very happy obviously as i've been looking foward to using my laptop so much, and now this happens.

I would appreciate any help, please bare in mind i'm not very good with computers, so please try not to confuse me with stuff.

Joe.T

 

If you can get access to another pc, download the ultimate boot cd and burn it onto a disc. Boot your laptop from it and therein you will find ram (memtest) and hard disk testing applications, which may help.

Other hardware problems could be cpu or motherboard related and to be honest I can't think of a way of testing for that, except eliminating all the other problems first.

 

few days ago I installed winxppro, and encountered the same prob. I just continued the installation in the next reboot and everything was ok.

 

Thanks.

What do you mean you just continued the installation ? Please explain ...

When the error comes up for me all I can do is click OK or whatever it says, then it reboots and the same thing comes up.

 

What version of XP are you installing (SP1, SP2, no service pack)? It may be your hardware needs SP2. If that's the case, you'll have to slipstream SP2 into your copy of XP. There are plenty of guides available on the net. Google for slipstream sp2.

 

I think you hit the nail on the head kego.

I contacted MKJ from Zepto and he thinks my disc must be SP1. I bought the disk from someone on an online auction website who claimed it to be a 100% genuine windows xp professional sp2.

Oh well ... looks like I best buy another copy from elsewhere.

 

before that try the slipstream thing (by kego).

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1664890#post1664890

 

I sounds like the cd is defective. Try borrowing a windows cd from a friend, and see how it goes.

 

I've tried 3 CD's now, two I think weren't real. One was DEFINATELY real, but it had HP written on it, so does that mean it would only work with HP systems ?

The HP one gave me the same problem the first cd i tried did, it wouldnt copy certain files from the CD.

Anyway, to make sure, i've bought a genuine OEM copy of windows xp home edition SP2. It will arrive tommorow and I will install it in the afternoon, i will let you know how it goes.

 

Wow, the definate genuine windows xp disc doesn't even install. This must be a hardware problem. What a waste of another load of money, that disc cost alot, i spent all the money i had left on it. For all I know the other one i bought that i thought might of been fake could be real. Great, looks like i've got to get a replacement. Another long boring wait to recieve my laptop i guess. It's friday too, can't do anything about it till monday. I'm so behind with my college work it's all getting too much, i needed this laptop weeks ago to help me keep up, now i'm going to have to wait even longer.

Edit: Thanks to Zepto's excellent denmark customer service (Morten!) he's dealing with it and is sorting me out with a new notebook. Happy customer for now.