Installation Problem

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Unfortunately, yes, this is a Gateway issue. Both of the CDs are theirs,
right? You are stuck with their system-specific OS CDs, and these either
will or will not work for the job. A lot of OEM CDs can't be used as
"qualifying product" for an upgrade with a retail upgrade CD, but I'd sure
think that Gateway would have the problem solved with their own products!
You paid the money to them -- you are using their computer, their Win ME CD,
and their Win XP CD provided for this purpose. By all means, expect them to
make good on it or refund your money!

The problem is that the cab files are not in the right location on the OEM
CD. The Win XP CD doesn't know where to look. You *might* solve this by
navigating to the right location.

BTW, there is a flaw in your thinking: You said you wanted to do a clean
install for the purpose of using NTFS. But this isn't a requirement at all.
You can convert to NTFS after an upgrade install. You can also have Win XP
Upgrade do a clean install on top of an existing system. Perhaps this solves
your problem?

Yes. But not with most OEM CDs!

Now, a final question: What does this have to do with the error message you
originally reported:
Winnt32 has caused an error in USER.EXE Winnt32 will now close.

--
Jim Eshelman MS-MVP
My most common newsgroup answers can be found at:
The Windows Support Center #
Online newsletter "The E-List" at: #

Jim,

I have a Gateway and wanted to do a clean install in order to establish a
NTFS file system (HD is 40 GB). The original operating system is Windows
ME, supplied by Gateway on a system restoration disc containing the
operating system and a restoration program.

After the reformat was complete, I installed the Windows XP Upgrade CD
purchased from Gateway. I had a Gateway tech rep on the phone during the
process. When asked for a previous Windows operating system CD to allow the
upgrade, I installed the restoration disc referenced above containing
Windows ME and whatever else they include on it.
The message appears" Set up could not read the cd you inserted, or the cd
is not a valid Windows cd." The it tells me to insert my Windows NT 3.51
Workstation, Windows NT 4.0,Windows 2000 Pro, 98, or ME into the CD-ROM.

The Gateway tech's explaination was the set up could not distinguish the
Windows ME on the restoration disc, it may be confused b/c there are other
items on this disc. He suggested I call their client relations to see if
they will send me a full XP Pro disc. I already paid $199.00 for this up
grade disc and was told it would complete a clean install, only needing to
verify the previous Windows OS from my CD. I do not have a full version of
Windows ME, only the restoration disc containing it and the restoration
program. The computer was purchased in August 2001.

Thanks in advance for your advise and response.

Regards, Tom
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Tom, a few questions:

Are you doing an upgrade (I'm presuming this) or a clean install.

Are you doing the install from inside of Windows, or by initially booting
from the CD?

What version of Windows (if any) are you upgrading?

Are you attempting to create a dual boot or single boot system?

--
Jim Eshelman MS-MVP
My most common newsgroup answers can be found at:
The Windows Support Center #
Online newsletter "The E-List" at: #

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