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Question

Laptop battery went out during XP install and now stuck

Dec 12, 2012 11:22PM PST

Family member tried to reinstall XP pro on an old work laptop they had, something happened and the battery went dead during the install of the OS. We purchased a new battery online and it works, we tried to restart loading the OS again however it seems the computer is stuck in a loop. The OS is trying to load, even getting to the Set up screen stating "Set up will complete approximately 39 minutes" however I was told they used a boot leg copy and the system continues to ask for missing files from the disc, such as "asms" file. I was able to find a dell reinstallation cd with XP SP 3, but the computer will still not read the disc, I've tried to set the reboot option to the cd rom to attempt to reinstall, again but it bypassing the disc and going straight to the Set up Windows XP screen. Is there a problem with the disc drive? Is there anyway to fix the loop? I do not want to pay more than the laptop is worth to just reload the OS when I have all of the discs. Please email if have any ideas or recommendations.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Never a problem.
Dec 12, 2012 11:49PM PST

Now if that happened during a BIOS update, that's a problem.

Your issue sounds like an old CD/DVD drive. I fix the PC and then it installs.
Bob

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Answer
XP Reload issue
Dec 13, 2012 1:26AM PST

No updates were being made to the bios, XP was being set up and installed, while the process was occurring the battery went out and didn't have the charger. Once plugged in the OS installation seems to be stuck in a loop where it continues to install but missing files. Tried using the dell branded reinstallation disc and the computer recognizes the cd drive in the Bios set up but won't read the disc to restart the set up process, go to the option where to set partitions, etc. Please need help.

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The clue was in your post.
Dec 13, 2012 1:29AM PST

If you research the missing ASMS issue you find folk with old drives, smudges on the CD, etc. They are doing nothing wrong so any change in procedure will not cure it.

It's widely discussed so I summarized it for you.
Bob