Problem installing vista - installation files missing but media works fine

[joydivision]

I keep getting a message trying to install Windows Vista that the installation files are missing or corrupt.

I have tried:-
Two different optical drives (one USB, one SATA)
Two different installation DVDs
I tried installation it on a virtual machine and it works fine.

So far I have done a quick RAM test (30 minutes) and a quick 5 minute hard drive test and everything shows up fine.

I am now completely stumped . I am reinstalling due to a Microsoft scam installing SysKey and generally other malware related issues.

Now stuck and need ideas before I scream, every job lately has been like this

 

[Martyn]

Change the memory, I've that sort of problem before

 

[joydivision]

Thanks will do, just need to see if I can find the DDR2, got some brand new stuff some where but everything is all over the place due to the workshop move.

The message happens after the files have been copied, which is why I suspect it was RAM or HD related.

 

[joydivision]

Changed the RAM and still the same problem Making a USB install stick in case it is a physical problem with the DVDs. I installed the VM by using an ISO image so copying that ISO image to a USB stick now and will install from that.

 

[Martyn]

Have you got another hard drive to try?

 

[joydivision]

Have you got another hard drive to try?

Yeah got plenty of SATA drives knocking about will try that as a last resort as I don't think the client will be willing to pay for a new drive as the computer is pretty worthless.

 

[joydivision]

I think I have fixed it, turned out to be crapy Kodak DVD media I used as I could not find my TDK stack. Found my trusty TDKs and burnt the ISO onto that. Seems to have installed no problem, at least it has complete the installation features stage

Causing my no ends of problems this workshop move but I will get organised.

Update: All installed and activated now. So it was the stupid Kodak DVDs that were the problem, despite making two different DVDs and trying two different optical drives!

 

[brandonkick]

DVD media vary widely in quality, and some drives are just picky about what they like and don't like in terms of media.

There are many different apps available that will show you the media ID of your blanks, look it up and see what the buzz on them is. Crap media is usually very unreliable but often you will also see wide variations in quality from the same brand name.

 

[JustInspired]

I detest cheap optical media. We buy Verbatim and have never had a problem with them.

 

[joydivision]

I never use the cheap stuff, but I have recently moved my workshop from a business park to a spare bedroom and everything is all over the place. All I could not find my original Vista media, but I did have a backup ISO so I burnt a copy with that, using the only DVDs I could find which were Kodaks.

 

[RoseburgHelpDesk]

First off it's Vista Nasty but anyhow it could be media but in my experience as many others its probably ram. If it loads fine then definitely. Things are always loaded into memory as I have noticed.

 

[joydivision]

Vista is nasty but that is what the COA is for, so that is what I have to install. Actually my business PC still runs Vista although I only use that for basic stuff, I use my i3 win7 for most business related stuff.

Vista can be tuned to run well and behave much like Windows 7

 

[brandonkick]

Another tip:

Don't mistake good media at a good price for junk.

There is such a thing as junk at a junk price and then there is such as thing as a good product at a good price.

The media ID is the only sure fire way to know what you have is good stuff. Verbatim have always produced good media.