Installation - Expanding files 21%

Cosmicray, Some things I noticed as I was installing Vista. My
computer didn't reboot until expanding files reached the 28 percent
mark.

It seems like maybe your computer is rebooting prematurely? Maybe a
memory issue? In the back of my mind I was also thinking that I might
have had memory issues.

Being the impatient type, I just removed one of the memory sticks
along with the other hardware for the install. If you have multiple
memory sticks, maybe try installing Vista with only one stick at a
time? I had seen some posts where that had helped people get the OS
installed. Good Luck. TG

Sorry for the double post, but just to add...I think it's important to
mention that I was doing a custum install of Vista ultimate. Maybe
different versions of Vista reboot at different stages of expanding
files.

Maybe someone else who has installed one of the other versions can
chime in on at exactly what stage of expanding files their computer
rebooted. TG

Hi Totallygreen,

I was thinking about some memory issues as well.
I might try to take out one of the sticks. Any memtests however didn't show
any results. I don't want to do that now, since I presently really need my pc
and with the complete backup I would have to do first and then - after
possible failure - re-installation of the backup it takes for hours .
Another thing:
If I take out part of the memory and successfully install Vista, does it
still work when I put my second GB in again??
It would be pretty ridicoulous if I only get it running if I reduce my RAM
while Vista actually needs more RAM than XP ...

Maybe Microsoft should come up with some sort of patch that solves this
problem!
I wouldn't like the idea that I had to do the same thing in case of a
re-installation ...

But thanks for the good whishes ...

:-))

Mike

Hey folks,

this time I tried something different:
I formatted partition C: so it was completely empty. Then I inserted my
shiny Vista Ultimate DVD and bootet.

This time everything looked a bit different. Expanding continued to 100%
(!!) and everything looked pretty normal and seemed to be completed.

After a while I was told that my PC had to reboot ..... and it didn't work
....!

This time I didn't even get the message "Disk read error". No message at
all. Just a prompt that I had to press any key to boot from Cd/DVD. That of
course started the whole process again.

Then I opted for Repair functions. And a Windows Vista OS was found on my
drive, however I could repair nothing.

So I ended up re-installing my backup of XP and coping with growing
frustration ...

I supect that this is related to the latest versions of memory controllers
that "interleave" or support "128 bit" access (ddr2 240 pin, two dimm).
The installer does not properly support it though the installed OS does.

Hello JosephKK,

thanks for your posting. That's the first one that could be really helpful.
Do you think Microsoft is going to issue some fix for that?

Mike

[Stroud]

The ram could also be the issue. The problem could be by using a 40 pin IDE cable for the optical drive. Change it to a 80 pin and Vista will be installed fine.
If you want more information then follow this link: Windows Vista Installation Expanding files problem