Windows server 2003 install hangs copying files

20 Mar 2005 10:21 PM

ITM

I'm trying to do a clean install of Windows 2003 server on a Pentium 3
machine with 512Mb of RAM. It's a K7T266Pro motherboard.

The installation hangs when it gets to the "copying files" part of the
setup procedure (with 28 mins remaining). I've tried installing
Windows XP on the same machine and it also hangs, at various stages of
the installation process.

Does this sound like a h/w problem?

TIA for any help
Ian

20 Mar 2005 10:34 PM

Todd J Heron

"The installation hangs when it gets to the "copying files" part of the
setup procedure (with 28 mins remaining). I've tried installing
Windows XP on the same machine and it also hangs, at various stages of the
installation process. Does this sound like a h/w problem?"

No it doesn't. See below.

Windows XP setup hangs during the file copy:
http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBI/tip4300/rh4369.htm

After receiving Please wait while Setup copies files to your hard disk,
Setup appears to hang?

There are a number of possible causes:

You started Setup from DOS mode.

You loaded the SMARTDrive tool and you used the following switches:
   /x
   /c
   /l
   InitCacheSize
   WinCacheSize
   /E:1024

You did not load Smartdrv.exe prior to running Winnt.exe. To workaround the
issue, run the smartdrv command without any switches.
NOTE: You may have to modify your Autoexec.bat file.

See also:
How to start the Setup program from MS-DOS in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307848&sd=tech

--
Todd J Heron, MCSE
Windows Server 2003/2000/NT; CCA
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