Slight Problems installing windows.

[swmeek]

:help:
Okay so I finally got out my new hard drive and proceeded to install my copy of Media center on it last week.
While it was installing windows it gave me a message about a i386 error and that these files couldn't be found on the disk.
It said I could try browsing for them and I tried that but couldn't figure out which ones were the ones i needed. So I just clicked ok to continue and everything seemed to work right.
So I go in and install the ethernet drivers and so forth.
I then went and tried setting up my network connections but nothing is showing up when I go to that in control panel.
I went into device manager and everything is showing up as working correctly and that they're enabled.
I'm getting the little pop-up at the bottom of the screen to activate windows but when I click it it just disappears and nothing happens.
What I would like is an opinion of what my choices are here.
Would using my windows disk to try and repair it work in my case or is it possible to wipe the hard drive and try again?
Also how would be the easiest way to do this and with what program also?
Luckily I was able to just stick in my old hard drive so I could at least have the computer back.
Thanks for your time.

[Goliath182]

Id try repairing it first. If that doesnt work then just do a clean install and that should clear up the problem. If you get the same error then its probably with your disc and youll have to get a new one.

[swmeek]

What would be the best way of doing a clean install?
Forgive my stupid noob questions.:ahhhhh:
I just don't want to mess up my new hard drive.
I talked to one of our IT guys at work and he suggested trying the repair function too.
Thanks for your help.

[sushrukh]

I think the CD is corrupt swmeek.Try another CD and/or do a clean install.

For clean installing , perform these steps:-
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1. Grab a non-corrupt (your CD may be corrupt) bootable CD/DVD of your Operating System.

2. Change the First Boot device as CD/DVD Rom in the Bios.

3. Enter the CD/DVD in your optical drive (same drive which you've selected to boot first in Bios)

4. After restarting,OS installation will start from the CD/DVD.Format the drive you would install the OS on.The installation process will help you format the drive.After formatting the drive,the installation will be started.Hope this helps.

[Methious]

If your in the USA head on down to Wal Mart and pick up the Maxell disk cleaning/repairing kit. It's like 10 bucks, it not only cleans the disk it fills the scratches and after a short drying time the filled scratches will again be readable.

I've used it on DVDs and CDs that were so damaged you'd never think them use able.

Alternatively download SP2 and install it on top the existing install it has a I386 directory on it and might fix the install.

This is of course after trying a normal repair using the existing disk.

If you have to go the Maxell disk fix kit route, do the install than if it goes good immediately make a backup copy or two.

[swmeek]

Okay I tried cleaning all three disks with my disk doctor that i have so I shouldn't have had any more problems but I still do.
I reinstalled and also tried repairing the files too with basically the same results.
It came up saying i was missing a dll file named srclient.dll.
I also downloaded sp2 and loaded it on my portable hard dirve I have.
Just realized did I need sp1 installed first or is this included in pack 2?
Anywho I loaded up Sp2 on new hard drive and I still have no network adapters showing in my network connections page although they show up under device manager as working.
When the activate windows thingie pops up on the toolbar it just disappears when I click it.
This is all very frustrating to say the least.
Also does anyone know of a program I can download that shows software conflicts?
My computer will not shut down or restart at all on the old hard drive I have but when I have the new one hooked up it shuts right off or restarts just like it should.

[MtDew]

Here is a link describing how to slipstream your XP install. I used this article to build a custom XP SP2 install disk with drivers I need for my raid (which I don't use any more)

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/How-To--Slipstream-your-XP-installation

I hope this will help you.

[swmeek]

Thanks if all else fails I'll give this a try.