Windows XP Setup stops responding (hangs) during the "Preparing Installation" phase (315323)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional

This article was previously published under Q315323
Important This article contains information that shows you how to help lower security settings or how to turn off security features on a computer. You can make these changes to work around a specific problem. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this workaround in your particular environment. If you implement this workaround, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect your system.

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to upgrade your Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), or Microsoft Windows Millennium (Me)-based computer, Setup may stop responding (hang) during the "Preparing installation" phase. Additionally, Setup may restart after an extended period of apparant inactivity.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if any antivirus programs are installed on your computer.

RESOLUTION

Warning This workaround may make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

Note An antivirus program is designed to help protect your computer from viruses. You must not download or open files from sources that you do not trust, visit Web sites that you do not trust, or open e-mail attachments when your antivirus program is disabled.

For additional information about computer viruses, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

129972Computer viruses: description, prevention, and recovery

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Cancel Windows XP Setup to revert to your Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, or Windows Me operating system.
  2. Disable or uninstall the antivirus program. For more information about how to do this, refer to the program documentation or browse to the antivirus manufacturer Web site.
  3. Run Windows XP Setup again to install Windows XP.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about how to troubleshoot Windows XP Setup issues, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

310064 How to troubleshoot Windows XP Setup problems when you upgrade from Windows 98 or Windows Me

For additional information about Windows XP Setup, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

306824 Release notes for Windows XP Setup contained in the Home.txt file

For additional information about how to prepare to upgrade your computer from Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

316639 How to prepare to upgrade Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP

For more information about Norton AntiVirus, or to contact the Symantec Corporation, browse to the following Symantec Web site: For more information about McAfee antivirus software, or to contact McAfee, browse to the following McAfee.com Web site: For more information about Inoculan, InoculateIT, or eTrust Antivirus, or to contact Computer Associates, browse to the following Computer Associates Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

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:MinorLast Reviewed:3/17/2005
Keywords:kbprb ocsso KB315323