Setup repeatedly stops and restarts in Windows XP

When you try to install Microsoft Windows XP, you may experience a repeating chain of events that includes some or all of the following:

• You receive the following error message when you try to format your hard disk during setup:
  Setup has performed maintenance on your hard disk. You must restart your computer to continue with Setup.
• You receive the following message during setup:
  Setup is unable to perform the requested operation on the selected partition. This partition contains temporary Setup files that are required to complete the installation.
• The computer stops responding (hangs or freezes), and then you receive the following fatal error message:
  An error has been encountered that prevents setup from continuing. One of the components that windows needs to continue setup could not be installed. Data error "cyclic redundancy check"

When you restart your computer after you receive these messages, Setup starts again, and the process may repeat.

This issue may occur if your hard disk is damaged or corrupted. You receive the error messages because the Setup program is trying to repair the problem on your hard disk.

To resolve this issue, use the following methods in the order that they are presented until the issue is resolved.

Method 1: Let the Setup program repair the hard disk

Repeat the cycle of running Setup, restarting your computer when prompted, and then allowing Setup to repair the disk. Setup may successfully complete after several repetitions. If the cycle continues after several repetitions, go to method 2.

Method 2: Run "chkdsk /r" from the Recovery Console

To run chkdsk /r from the recovery console, follow these steps:

1. Restart the computer.
2. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
3. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, choose the installation that you need to access from the Recovery Console.
4. When you are prompted to do so, type the administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, press ENTER.
5. At the command prompt, type chkdsk /r, and then press ENTER.
6. When Chkdsk has finished running, read the results, and then take any necessary steps to complete the process. For example, you may be prompted to run chkdsk /f to fix certain problems.
7. Restart the computer, and then try to run Setup again.

Method 3: Replace your hard disk drive

If your hard disk drive is damaged and cannot be repaired, you may have to replace it. Contact your computer manufacturer, the retailer where you bought it, or a qualified repair technician for information about replacing your hard disk.

For additional information about the recovery console, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: