Computer help forum: Windows Vista Install hangs at "Copying Windows Files" 43%

So I burned a vista install disk, booted from it fine, and the install proceeded fine as long as it was just copying and expanding files. Then, however, it gave me the Error Code 0x80000001 Could not locate offline locale information. I've only tried the installation in English, the computer's BIOS is set in English, and the only available language option on the disk is English. I then unplugged the old drive from the computer, because it could be hanging the install, but when I rebooted the installation disk, now all it notifies me is that "Windows could not determine if this computer contains a valid system volume." Do you have any ideas? Installing Vista on this computer has been a nightmare.

I wait till folk are ready so if you are ready I suggest you do the following.

1. Replace the CPU Heat Sink Compound.
While you are doing that, clean the heatsinks you find inside.

2. Try again.

3. Fail? Be sure this machine came with Vista. Vista requirements were stiff and a machine that never ran it may never run it.

4. Look around in the bios for any CPU CACHE settings and turn them off.

Good luck,
Bob

Sometimes you find folk using the DVD from a Dell on a Gateway. Doesn't always work and the fact it goes part way can confuse folk or make them think it should work.
Bob

You mention you "burned a Vista disc" that shouldn't be the normal way of doing this unless it came from MS as .ISO file. Thus, all bets are off if from other sources, etc.. it may not be the required type of install, because it seems you don't know it its full retail or OEM or DIY(builder) type, etc.. So where did this Vista inbstall disc originate from? Next, depending on your PC, as i stated return to basic as possible. Since, you mentioned you had an old HD present, disconnect and attach the new one at its slot or cable position, either it be SATA or PATA type. Be sure you got that right as that's an h/w issue. You may need to reset the bios to "defaults" in order to accept the basics as well. Now, try to do an install on new HD and if asks, accept to reformat(NOT quick) but the whole HD and allow it to finish and then it should install, select NTFS mode and accept it. Hopefully, it should install and any "locale" issue is not a normal response. That error is you google should provide what it needs to be corrected.

I top of what i mentioned, then you maybe dealing with other issues or why the HD fried, etc. or PC was hosed beyond a bad HD. Thus, you should follow Robert's advise and see if that helps as well. Sometimes, I simply "wipe clean" the HD of any past installs or failed ones in order to remove any possible s/w(OS) hang-ups, I use DBAN or KILLDISK to clean a HD. I do this when all fails, etc., and possibly remove such s/w glitches. It's better this way rather trying any fixes, repairs etc., of old installs, etc. again to start fresh again.

tada -----Willy

I got the vista install from the link Willy provided, and ran the X14-63453.exe to make the Vista folder, used IMGBurn to turn the Vista folder into an .iso, and burned it at 8x speed to a blank DVD, which I made bootable. The computer didn't come with recovery disks, but had a recover partion on the failed hard drive.
I tried the install with the old HD unplugged, and got the same result. I will have to try switching out the SATA cables in the PC so that the old HD's sata cable is attached to the new HD. I've tried the formatting and erasing within the windows installation, but I'll try DBAN or KILLDISK to do a full HD wipe. If not I will probably have to consider Robert's advice and try replacing the CPU heatsink, though to be honest that sounds like a lot of work.
Hopefully one of these things will fix the problem. Thanks so much for both your help.

That does not sound like a good Vista install DVD. The ones I use are intact and come from places like you read at http://forums.cnet.com/7726-13974_102-5325452.html?tag=posts;msg5325452

I think I've seen someone create a restore/install OS DVD about once in about 5 years. I think we've nailed the cause.
Bob

Both the dell and the askvg link to the same files hosted at Digital River. They both require you to run the X14-63453.exe to make the Vista folder. Is it just not likely that a downloaded vista install will work correctly?

Sorry but the download I used from there gave me an ISO file and that created the full bootable media. Something's not right with the install DVD in my view.

Go get a real install DVD and try it.
Bob

Don't confuse the "repair OS disc" as a full install. They tend to work on already installed OS, in order to clean or clear some glitch or mishap and allow to reboot properly or similar fashion. Some of the other sources also tend to rely on old OS as if you're updating to the newer OS. The whole being once you get into all this, the chances of working are 50/50, many times these "free or open website OS" aren't made to be full installs. You can still however request as a legal option a "recovery/restore Vista disc" from sources, check link. Also, the other link I provided greatly relied on the "key" to work, so if that is an issue another error in the making. However, it may not simply work because it was pre-release of Vista that was "beta" and is no longer supported.

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/676328

http:///www.restoredisks.com >>>>> google for others or similar

These are to re considered, OEM type install and are suppose to work only on your model# or series PC. If you haven't yet, Gateway may provide this service also at some low cost. Yeah, your Gateway came with the restore partition on the old HD, BUT you were suppose(allowed) to create restore/recovery discs as part your safe recovery if the need arise besides the HD provided one as well.

As for Digital River source, you may want to contact them to see why the version you got, failed. -OR- query there to see what problems are resolved, being provided by other users or links to such.

tada -----Willy

from what I've read, digital river is supposed to be a licensed official microsoft partner that hosts some of their OS files, like the vista install. It's as close to an official and legal download of vista that I could find. Maybe these disks are just repair disks and not full versions of vista. The websites tout them as being able to do a clean vista install, but maybe they are just repair disks, and that full clean install is actually utilizing parts from the old install. I have the license key for windows vista, so that's not an issue. I'll probably have to call gateway for recovery media, but I think they charge $40-60 dollars for it, so that's irritating. I'm also hesitant to do that because there is a chance that more than the hard drive in the computer was busted and that regardless of installation media the computer might just be shot. Regardless of that, thank you for all your help!