Can't install Windows due to endless loop

[Relztrah]

I'm resurrecting an old Compaq Presario and attempting to install Win 98SE. I cannot complete installation because I get to the “Setting up hardware and finalizing settings” segment, Windows shuts down, restarts, and I get the “Because Windows was not properly shut down...” message. Scandisk runs, Windows setup continues where it left off with the Setting up Hardware dialog box open, then it shuts down again, “Because Windows was not properly shut down...” , Scandisk, and the cycle continues.

I already reformatted and attempted to reinstall Windows. Setup goes normally until I get to this point. Then it goes into the endless loop. I know my installation CD is good. (Original Microsoft, not a copy.) Where do I go from here?

[wiltrot]

"Resurrecting an old Compaq Presario" How? Are you replacing anything? I would check the memory chips, replace them with known working ones that are compatible. Resurrecting implies that the thing was dead, if so what all are you doing to bring it back to life. You might also want to check out the power supply (test it).

[ErnieK]

The following link will take you to a long list on MS page about win98 install problems, whether your problem is on the list or not I do not know.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=129971

And this one (third or 4th item down is about your problem)
http://www.wintrouble.net/discus/messages/64/1096.html?975963264

Also this page (again with further links)
http://www.aumha.org/win4/kbsetup.php

This is a known problem and there is (somewhere) in MS's KB an article on it.

[classicsoftware]

If the links don't help, I would remove all cards from the computer except the video card. Let's see if Windoze can install then. If it does, add the cards back one ata atime until you see which one fails.

[jabarnutcase]

I wouldn't rule out a bad Hard Drive either...Especially considering you're "resurrecting" an older machine.

I have no idea what kind your machine has, but I would download and run the Diagnostic Utilities and test the drive just to eliminate that as a possible problem.

[Paul Komski]

I'm resurrecting an old Compaq Presario
How Old?
Which Model?

[ErnieK]

Relztrah
I knew I had the article somewhere. KB262381

The following link should take to the search results in MS KB for it.

Second link on page (3 links there)
http://support.microsoft.com/search/default.aspx?InCC_hdn=true&Catalog=LCID%3D1033%26CDID%3DEN-US-KB%26PRODLISTSRC%3DON&withinResults=&QuerySource=gASr_Query&Product=msall&Queryc=Q262381&Query=Q262381&KeywordType=ALL&maxResults=25&Titles=false&numDays=&InCC=on

[Relztrah]

Thanks folks for your suggestions. I read the Microsoft knowledge base articles but apparently my problem was NOT a software conflict. I had previously taken the modem out of one slot and put it in another. Following classicsoftware's suggestion I took out both the network adapter and modem and continued setup. Windows was able to detect all hardware, load drivers, and finish setup. Then I put both devices back in--this is one of those old Presarios where all cards go in a frame that slides into the case and connects to the mobo--and I was able to add both normally.

I guess (and it is only a guess) that the slot that the modem was previously in somehow caused a conflict. I'm guessing (again) that that slot is bad, but who knows. In any case, it's up and running normally now. Thanks again for your help. The owner of this machine will be delighted.

And thank you classicsoftware for you previous help disinfecting my own computer of the BAGLE.Z virus which had me down all last weekend. Combining the suggestions of all posters I was able to get rid of it. As I promised, I sent a donation to the tip jar for that one.

Relztrah

[classicsoftware]

Glad to be of service......