Cant format my pc not install Windows XP

[Prisma]

Hi everybody

Here is the story:

My bf was using the computer and he tried to run MSN. It begun to install ( I guess probably just an update for MSN was already installed) and in stead of cancelling he just switched the computer off. When he restarted is when everything went wrong.  At a certain point it just stoped and restarted again over and over. I tried then to enter in save mode and yes although I could choose it , it was just doing the same.
I tried to reinstall XP  as i thought maybe some essential win file may have been corrupted, deleted.. or even that it could be a virus. then is when I got the first error.
When choosing the partition to install I was not allowed to use C it said something  was wrong  with the format cant  really remember and it gave me a few options to format it and so i did thinking all would be deleted and I could start clean.
When it finised and the installation started it copied the files  and started and then  I got this message:

A components file doesnt match the verification info present in the components manifest.... and then something about SXS.DLL syntes error F:/I386/asms/....
and it doesnt go any further.

I have a floppi disk with some basic dos commands on it but I guess format is not in it for I cant do it  from DOS mode so  here i am totally stuck.

Is there any hope for me??  how do I do now to have  either XP re installed or C complete formated  and start form zero?

Any help is most welcome

Many thanks in advance!!

G

[guestolo]

Follow these guides for a complete clean install
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101068

After you follow those steps in that link
Follow these steps from step 6 and down
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Format the Partition using the NTFS file system
I prefer NOT to use the Quick method to format
Choose "Format the Partition using the NTFS file system"

[Prisma]

I would love to follow those steps but when I start my pc now with Xp CD in the drive it tries to continue the one I already started and that was aborted when that error message appeared .
How can I make it so that  the installation that is started is cancelled and i can start from scratch with the steps  in the guide you gave me?

Rgds
G

[Prisma]

is it not possible to abort a windows intallation and start it all over?

[guestolo]

How did you originally format xp?

Is this a legit copy of XP your trying to install or a burned copy?
Is the CD clean of all lint/dust?

Take the CD out, ensure it's clean, enter the BIOS and make sure CD is set to first boot
Replace CD and try booting with it again
Remember to delete partition and format with normal ntfs, not quick

If that doesn't work, you may have to try a third party boot disk to delete partition
Do you have a floppy drive?
You can try a 98se boot disk, if no floppy you can create a boot image
Here's more instructions
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/install/fdisk.htm
Don't forget to fix the "mbr" also from the guide

[Prisma]

I have tried to burn the boot image but I must be doing sth wrong bec when I put the cd in the drive and I restart nothin happens. I will try to burn the floppy tomorrow at the office. I do have a floppy drive on the desktop but it is the one with the problem so is of no use at the moment to record and I cannot burn them with my laptop so I will try to find a pc with floppy drive at work.

When I tried to reinstall XP I did chose to make a format with normal NTFS and it was done. It is after that step that I cant go on

The XP that I have is a burned copy that I used before and it installed successfully.
Anyway once I have the boot disk I will try again. Will let you know if it works

Thanks for your advice!

G.

[guestolo]

If your running a burnt copy, it could be bad, you may have to get another copy

To burn the 98 image boot disk
you will have to burn the software as an Image file
If you don't have software
Use the free
Burnatonce 0.99.5

It's a small download, after installation, simply open Burnatonce
Click FILE>>Load New Image

Point it towards the winboot.ISO and then click the Write button

[Prisma]

Hi

I deleted the partition and formated it but when trying to  install XP got the message wrong CD please change and press any key, so I guess my copy of XP is no longer working. I am trying to get a copy to install it. Hopefully that would do.

Many thanks for your advice

Rgds

G

[Prisma]

Im afraid I still need your help.
I got s legitimate copy of windows XP which started instaslling. I chose the partition where it should be installed ( D for C was too small) and  I format that partition not the quick way . Then it started copying files for the isntallation and it got stuck on 3% for over 30 mins. I then decided to restart but it wouldnt work not even holding the start button for 10 seconds. than i had to do the brute force. I just disconnected the power cable ( ay  ay) when it restarted and it read the CD it gave me the same message that with my xp copy that the disk is not valid ... blah blah blah.... I definatly am doing somthing very wrong. What do you suggest now?

Many thanks!!

G