Installing Windows on Laptop

[arielle]

Ok, the laptop is a Dell Inspiron 2650 and I'm trying to install Windows XP Professional on it. But apparently there is several .dll files that it cannot copy off of the disk onto the computer and I don't know how to get it fixed. Also. When the XP finally gets completely downloaded after skipping those selected files (unknown at the moment) I get an error everytime I turn on the computer. The error is c000021a.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE *censored* IT IS.

please please please help this because this laptop needs to be working again and I don't feel like buying a new one.
Thank you
Arielle

[pcwizard]

Do you have any USB devices attached when running the installation?
The .dll are dynamic link libraries to other areas of the OS and important...hence the problems you are having.

Check that the disc is ok and not scratched or marked in any way.
Try installing again, deleting any exisiting partitions (saving any work you need) and create a new partition.
Install to this and use the format NTFS (not quick) option for a clean format.

[merlin_2]

what o/s what on it!

[patio]

Is this a full WinXP disk ? ?
Or perhaps a manuf. restore disk ? ?

patio. *)

[arielle]

it's the full disk and everything and Windows XP Pro. was on it before hand too. But I tried putting it on and now it completely wiped it and NOTHING is on the system. I have to boot the CD manually and then get it all running. The disk is in perfect shape and all the USBs are not damaged or anything.

[patio]

Check the CD itself if it is dirty or scratched sometimes it will interrupt the setup process.

patio.  

[Fed]

Why did you have to do a re-install?

[merlin_2]

What do you think may have cause this/ m_2>But I tried putting it on and now it completely wiped it and NOTHING is on the system.


Did someone use the format/deltree cmd?

[Raptor]

Make certain the laptop is not overheating.  

[arielle]

i had to reinstall because i do that to all of my computers once a year. it keeps them running fast and gets all of the junk off of them. I save all important information onto disk and then erase everything else. It's actually recommended by most computer repair shops to do :\

but the disk is perfect, like i said

the laptop is not over heating (it never does for some reason)

and the only thing that I think could have happened to it, is when I had it sitting up in my room going through setup someone (dunno who) could have just corrupted something

i dont have any idea what could have caused this or why it is happening :[ makes me sad

[Fed]

Installing an OS is very demanding on your ram.
Test your ram.

[patio]

And start over with letting XP remove and re-create the partition.

patio.  

[arielle]

i did, didn't work

and the ram is 128

[patio]

Kinda low considering WinXP's requirements...but others say it'll run fine.

patio.  

[Raptor]

It's actually recommended by most computer repair shops to do :\

Actually, they say this because they know most people are incapable of properly maintaining their computer. If you spend time in researching this area of computing, you will find that you can easily use the same system for a certain number of years before it starts to show signs of wear and tear.

the laptop is not over heating (it never does for some reason)
 

Errors during setup I have encountered so were due to overheating computers.

Test both your RAM and HDD with diagnostic software.

One thing that I always suggest is to properly reformat (Full, not quick) the HDD/partition. (Preferably the entire HDD) however, I have yet to see any proof that this matters. In the case of a virus, it is more safe to do so but does it actually matter during the installation progress? Any theories on this?