BleepingComputer.com: Error during reinstall

So my in-laws have been having some really strange problems with their computer, like multiple viruses. They've had it a few years and have never kept it updated or anything. They gave it to me to see if I could fix it.

I decided it would just be easiest to wipe the thing and reinstall Windows. So I insert and boot from the disc, and it is coming up with this error message:

STOP: c0000221 Unknown Hard Error
\SystemRoot\System32\ntdll.dll

I've reinstalled Windows probably a dozen times on various computers, and this has never happened to me before. I don't know what to do.

"Reinstall"...does that mean it's a clean install where you have deleted all previously existing XP install partitions?

Louis

hamluis, on Dec 18 2008, 08:29 PM, said:

That's what I was trying to do. It won't get that far. It looks like it wants to do that, but then eventually just stops and throws that error.

It might be worthwhile to run a diagnostic on the hard drive, in that case.

Hard Drive Installation and Diagnostic Tools - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic28744.html

If a long and short test is offered...do the long.

Louis

hamluis, on Dec 18 2008, 08:33 PM, said:

Well, I might have to do that I guess. I just tried again, and it looked like it got farther this time, I have deleted all of the partitions. I've created a new partition. When I go to format to install, it asks if I want to format quick or regular. No matter which I choose, it says:

Quote

I'm not sure what to use. The computer has a Maxtor drive, which appears to have been acquired by Seagate. However, if I am reading correctly, the SeaTools on the Seagate website appears to run in Windows, which is no longer installed on that computer.

There is a version called Seatools for DOS. You can create a floppy or a CD, which you can
boot from. Of course you need access to a working machine to do so.

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools

I had the same problem when trying to re-install XP Home on a customer system. ASUS Mobo P4C800E rev2.00.

I changed the BIOS for the hard drive from SCSI to IDE and I was able to install XP as normal.

I hope it works for others as it is a PITA (pain in the arse) if it doesn't.

Thanks to all who take the time on Bleeping Computer for the invaluable help with Malware, Hardware and just listening.

Michael
Country Computer Guy
Serving Central Minnesota since 2003
From W98 to Win7, including milking parlor computers, programming the time/date on VCRs and babysitting newborn calfs and colts.

This post has been edited by hujorgen: 24 March 2010 - 01:18 PM