Stuck in Windows XP installation loop and can't exit

Question

I tried unsuccesfully to remove the Norton software that came with my computer after the trial date had expired.  Couldn't get it uninstalled, even went to the Symatec help site.  After that my computer began to lock up and perform more slowly.    I finally decided to reinstall XP with the disk that came with my computer and start over fresh.  When the XP install is running I get an error message saying that there is a 'bad_pool_caller' and the installation cannot proceed.  When I click the ok buttons to exit install, the computer reboots and starts the installation all over again.   I've removed the CD and tried looking at the startup and bios when the computer is booting up.  I've made an XP boot up disk and get the A: prompt but can't get to the C: drive (says it doesn't exist).  I can't find any way to get out of this loop.   I've sent emails to the Dell web sites and never got any responce, just a response asking for for spicific information which I provided (KMM8071030121406LOKM).   Can someone tell me what to do?  I'm not a computer geek so need some patience in explaining how to work things.   Thanks for any help!

jmwills · Answer

Two things, first there is no such thing as a Boot Disk for XP, you need to enable the BIOS to first boot from the Cd and it appears your error message cromes from an incompatible piece of hardware, according to a Google Search.  Have you recntly installed some device that did come come with your PC?

ZLD · Answer

No hardware changes have been made to the computer.  The only changes to the original setup was to install microsoft office 2004 and autocad 2001 (I'm guessing on the autocad date), plus NetZero for accessing the internet.  I never knowingly changed my configurations from the way they came from Dell.  Bought the computer this summer and had little time to use it until the cold weather.   I did the same Google search.   Thanks!

Denny Denham · Answer

ZLD,

Before you started the reinstallation did you disconnect all external peripherals (except mouse, monitor, and keyboard) from the system? The Bad_pool_caller error is often caused by hardware interference with the installation.

ZLD · Answer

I'm not quite sure what you mean by external peripherals, but there are no devices plugged into the computer (like a printer, etc.).  As for software running, my Norton system works was trashed and not working.  I didn't try using control, alt and delete to shut down any files running (wouldn't know which to turn off).  There was no programs that I had running when trying to do the reinstall.   I haven't removed the cover from the computer to do any work inside either.   Does this answer your question, or is there something more you were looking for?   I appreciate any help I can get to solve this problem!       ZLD

Denny Denham · Answer

ZLD,

That answers my question. I was referring to things like scanners or printers. Howeve, you mentioned trying to stop running programs during the installation. Did you change the boot order in BIOS to place your CD-ROM drive as the first boot device before starting the installation? If so, no programs could possibly have been running as the computer would have booted to the XP Reinstallation CD.

ZLD · Answer

I didn't change my CD-ROM drive as the first boot (never even thought of doing that), I think I just started the CD using the start and run commands on the lower left of my screen.

I didn't mean to say that I was trying to stop programs from running during the installation. I meant that I didn't shut down any programs running in the task manager before I started the installation. I didn't have any known programs running (like microsoft office, windows explorer, net zero, etc.).

Once the install program was running or when hung up I couldn't open the task manager.

jmwills · Answer

As the machine boots up, hit F2 and that will take you into the BIOS where you can change the boot sequence. Make the CD or DVD drive the first boot device save changes, place the XP disc in the tray and reboot.

Delete the current partition on which Windows resides (C:) and install a clean copy. I knw that Denny has an excellent "How to" on his site. Just make sure to save your data BEFORE you start.

One other thing, when you delete the partition you will go back to the screen showing all the partitions, NOW would be an excellent time to make two partitions, one for the OS and programs and the other for data. Just hit "C" to create a partion and it will ask you to inout how large a partition. If you have say a 40 gig drive, just make two twenty gig partitions, one of which will be non-formatted but you can do that from within Windows and chnage the defualt location of My Documents to the new D drive. One other note, to make the new parttion D you will have to re-letter your optical drive to F then chnage the new partition to D then go back and chnage the optical (CD) drive to E.

ZLD · Answer

Thank you for your information. But this is quickly getting into areas that I'm not too familiar with anymore. Can you tell me how to get to Denny's site to find the information you refered to? (You can use my email address in my profile if you don't want to post it here)

I won't have time to try this out until late this weekend, but will post to let you know how things went.

Thanks for your help!

ZLD

Denny Denham · Answer

ZLD,

The site is here.

FYI, the email address in your profile is visible only to you. If you wish to have it displayed (most users don't) change the setting of Email Privacy on the Display Settings tab of Preferences in the Personal Privacy Settings section near the bottom.

http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm#Install

Message Edited by Denny Denham on 12-16-2004 08:50 AM

ZLD · Answer

Well I tried the procedures you suggested and still no luck.

I'm still hanging up on the "bad_pool_caller" error message. I guess I'll try calling in to Dell Support tonight and see what happens. Hopefully it won't take too long to get this fixed and running again.

Thank you all for your patience and help!

ZLD

jmwills · Answer

When you chnaged the BIOS to boot from the CD as the first boot device, did you save the setting?

Windows General

Stuck in Windows XP installation loop and can't exit

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