SYMPTOMS

If you run Windows XP Setup from 16-bit Winnt.exe file, when Setup ends as well as PC restarts, Setup restarts in an unbounded loop.

CAUSE

This problem happen if you did not click I agree in the End User License Agreement (EULA). If you do not click I agree in the EULA, Setup is terminated, and then Winnt.exe does not appropriately clean up its temporary files and boot sector.

RESOLUTION

To solve this difficulty, restore the PC to its previous configuration:

For Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, as well as Windows Millennium Edition (Me):

1. Start PC from a startup disk that was formed in the earlier operating system.
2. Type sys c: to restore the boot sector to its earlier configuration.
3. Remove the boot floppy and restart the PC.
4. Delete the C:\$win_nt$.~bt folder.
5. Delete the C:\$win_nt$.~ls folder.

For Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0:

1. Start the PC.

2. After the BIOS ends the power-on self test (POST), the Boot.ini file is displayed in brief, the timeout is set to one second, so careful attention is needed.

3. Once the BIOS ends press the UP ARROW key continually in quick progression to end the timeout for the boot menu.

4. When the boot menu is shown, click your earlier operating system, it should be the top entry in the list.

5. After the PC has restarted in your earlier operating system, remove the Read-Only attribute from the C:\Boot.ini file.

6. Using a text editor such as Notepad, open C:\Boot.ini, and then remove the following line:

c:\$win_nt$.~bt\bootsect.dat="Windows XP Installation/Upgrade"

7. Delete the C:\$win_nt$.~bt folder.

8. Delete the C:\$win_nt$.~ls folder.