You receive a "Windows XP Setup is incompatible with this version of Windows" error message when you install Windows XP Service Pack 2 on a Hewlett-Packard computer (870898)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2)
Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When your Hewlett-Packard computer restarts during the Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) upgrade by using the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) interface, you may receive the following error message:
Windows XP Setup is incompatible with this version of Windows. For more information, contact Microsoft.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because Hewlett-Packard computers install Recovery Console on the computer by using the Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) files that are located in the C:\Windows\I386 folder. These files cause the error message that this article describes.

WORKAROUND

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To work around this problem, you must remove the registry entry that installs Recovery Console on the computer:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\

  3. Click Export on the File menu.
  4. Locate a folder on your hard disk, type Run.reg in the File name box, and then click Save.
  5. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\2056 cloaker.exe

  6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
  7. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\2248 cmd.exe

  8. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
  9. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\2272 cloaker.exe

  10. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.

STATUS

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/10/2004
Keywords:kbtshoot kbAppCompatibility kberrmsg kb3rdparty kbsetup kbRegistry kbprb KB870898 kbAudEndUser kbAudOEM
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.