Hi,

I have just been given an old computer that I want to get working again. It was given to me by someone who had problems with it for a while - the cpu usage would rise to 100 and back again all the time causing annoying pauses when using the computer. The last owner tried to fix it by trying to delete windows XP!!

He managed to format the hard drive, install windows 98 SE then try and install windows xp over 98. This is the problem I am now having:

I have a new copy I purchased of XP pro service pack 2. I want to install it but every time I try to install it this is what happens:

Unexpected error (1073725632) occured at line 1773 in d:\xpsprtm\base\boot\setup\arcdisp.c.

this message comes up when booting from the xp disk and trying to start INSTALLATION. The weird thing is that if i boot from the xp cd from the E:\ it starts installation and gets to a certain point and then BLUE screen and says:

a problem has been detected and windows was shutdown to prevent damage to computer. Check for disk space if a driver is identified in the stop message (what stop message??) disable the device or check with manufacturer for driver updates or change video adapters.
Check with hardware vendor for BIOS updates disable bios memory options such as caching or shadowing

I dont know where to go from here and why its saying this?? Any ideas on what to try anyone???

ThanksA quick Google search revealed that this problem has the same cause - RAM.

Maybe you should remove the RAM module(s) and carefully clean the metal contacts by rubbing GENTLY with a pencil eraser.

If it persists, one or more modules may be faulty.

It seems like you are discovering why the last owner gave it away!

Thanks, I will look at the ram now and see what I can do. I have another 512mb to try so I will see if that works. ThanksSome suggestions-

1. Be prepared for frustration!
2. If it has more than 1 module try removing one at a time (with the power off!)
3. In the BIOS, find and PERFORM "load fail safe defaults". (Somebody may have altered the RAM timing settings) You can load "performance defaults" later if you get the thing working.
4. Do not mix different types or makes of RAM.

thanks for the advice. Its fixed and I am typing from the computer that I thought was RUINED a few hours ago! Thanks for the advice.