Error Message: Setup Cannot Continue. Please Contact Microsoft Technical Support. (Error: 3E6h)

When you attempt to upgrade to Windows XP, you may receive the following error message:

The error can be caused by many different situations. The resolutions that are provided in this section have fixed the problem for other users and have allowed Windows XP Setup to continue. Because this error only happens during the installation of Windows XP, you may be able to solve the problem by removing an application that may have a conflict before you again run Windows XP Setup. If this does resolve the problem, in most cases you can reinstall the application after Windows XP Setup has finished.

You may be able to resolve this problem by installing the updates that are available for Windows XP through the Dynamic Update feature. To do so, click Yes, download the updated Setup files (Recommended) in the Get Updated Setup Files dialog box during Windows XP Setup. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: If the error persists after you use dynamic update, or if you are unable to use Dynamic Update, check the following:

• System Restore Remover Pro by Definition Software. If this software is installed, use the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel to remove it. Note that this software is only designed to run on Windows Millennium Edition and cannot be reinstalled on Windows XP.
• Intuit QuickBooks. If this software is installed, use the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel to remove it. Note that if Setup then runs successfully, you can reinstall this program. The problem is specifically Windows XP Setup-related and does not affect normal operation of the program.
• Dell Dimension 8100. Check for the existence of the installation files for the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz sound card at C:\dell\drivers\r33637. If the files exist follow these steps:
  1. Rename C:\Dell\Drivers\R33637\9x\Setup.exe as Setup.old.
  2. Rename C:\Dell\Drivers\R33637\NT\Setup.exe as Setup.old.
• Echo Audio sound cards. These include models Darla, Mia, Layla, Mona, and Gina. If the system uses any of these sound cards, upgrade to at least version 6.0 of the audio driver. For additional information see the Echo Audio Web site:
  http://www.echoaudio.com (http://www.echoaudio.com)
  .
• Startup settings. Rename the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files, and then reinstall Windows XP. For information about how to rename files, see the Help topic "Change the Name of a File or Folder."

Clean boot. If the previous steps do not resolve the problem, rename the files back to Config.sys and Autoexec.bat, perform a clean boot in Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, or Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, and then install Windows XP again.

For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Clean the CD ROM. If the upgrade is still unsuccessful, clean the CD-ROM. For more information about cleaning CD-ROMs, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Remove peripherals. If the problem persists, remove any external hardware that is not needed to start your computer. This includes scanners, USB speakers, digital cameras, printers, and other peripheral equipment.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.