Problem with installing XP over 98SE

malcolm72 · 02-26-2006, 08:57 PM

Hi, I'm a newbie here, and need some help badly. I'm trying to install a new copy of XP Home Upgrade over 98SE, and all is OK until I get to "Preparing Imstallation," and get the message "Setup was unable to build a list of files to be copied. The system cannot find the file specified." Here the whole thing quits. What list? What file(s)? It's got me really puzzled.

I did run the Upgrade Advisor and got the Upgrade Report, and the Setup files (via Dynamic Update), just before the problem above. Any connection?

Thanks for any help.
malcolm72

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+
Motherboard: Giga-Byte GA-K8NF-9
RAM: 1024mb PC3200 DDR
HD: Western Digital 40gb
Video Card: EVGA e-GeForce MX4000 128mb DDR

StrangleHold · 02-26-2006, 09:36 PM

If you still have your 98 cd just do a clean install of XP and use the 98 cd when asked for upgrade verification

Motoxrdude · 02-26-2006, 10:36 PM

Did you format the hdd? If not format using ntsf.

malcolm72 · 02-27-2006, 01:09 PM

......reformat ("clean") my hard drive? At this point, I have left the HD alone, with all its programs and files intact. But I have backed up files on a 750MB Zip drive (mostly "my documents" stuff). And will the "Upgrade" version of the XP Home work OK as a "clean" install (I noticed that Stranglehold implied that it should).

johnb35 · 02-27-2006, 02:30 PM

Yes, the upgrade version will work fine for a clean install. Just as he said, xp will ask for an existing system disk. Just pop the 98 disk in when prompted, it will check it and the installation will continue. You will have to take the 98 disk out and put the xp disk back in after that.

02-26-2006, 08:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
malcolm72 New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Near Asheville, NC Posts: 2	Problem with installing XP over 98SE Hi, I'm a newbie here, and need some help badly. I'm trying to install a new copy of XP Home Upgrade over 98SE, and all is OK until I get to "Preparing Imstallation," and get the message "Setup was unable to build a list of files to be copied. The system cannot find the file specified." Here the whole thing quits. What list? What file(s)? It's got me really puzzled. I did run the Upgrade Advisor and got the Upgrade Report, and the Setup files (via Dynamic Update), just before the problem above. Any connection? Thanks for any help. malcolm72 CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Motherboard: Giga-Byte GA-K8NF-9 RAM: 1024mb PC3200 DDR HD: Western Digital 40gb Video Card: EVGA e-GeForce MX4000 128mb DDR

02-26-2006, 09:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
StrangleHold Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In a realm of unknown Wonders Posts: 7,506	If you still have your 98 cd just do a clean install of XP and use the 98 cd when asked for upgrade verification __________________ NZXT Apollo Athlon 64 X2 5600-3.3ghz. Gigabyte GA MA770 DS3 G Skill DDR2 1066-944mhz. 4gbs. PNY 8800GT/VD964 Cooler W/D Sata 3.0 500gb RE2 Humans are curious creatures and by nature insane. Lock us all in a room together and within hours we're dividing into groups, creating Gods and plotting on how to kill one another. Last edited by StrangleHold; 02-26-2006 at 09:39 PM.

02-26-2006, 10:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Motoxrdude Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nor Cal Age: 18 Posts: 6,222	Did you format the hdd? If not format using ntsf. __________________ RIP Mom 9/17/55-02/22/08. McCain/Palin 08'

02-27-2006, 01:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
malcolm72 New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Near Asheville, NC Posts: 2	Thanks, Motoxrdude & Stranglehold. Do I need to...... ......reformat ("clean") my hard drive? At this point, I have left the HD alone, with all its programs and files intact. But I have backed up files on a 750MB Zip drive (mostly "my documents" stuff). And will the "Upgrade" version of the XP Home work OK as a "clean" install (I noticed that Stranglehold implied that it should).

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02-27-2006, 02:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnb35 Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: IL, USA Age: 38 Posts: 878	Yes, the upgrade version will work fine for a clean install. Just as he said, xp will ask for an existing system disk. Just pop the 98 disk in when prompted, it will check it and the installation will continue. You will have to take the 98 disk out and put the xp disk back in after that.