Windows Setup could not reinitialize the deployment engine. To install windows, restart the installation.

Question

Background:  I purchased a new 1.5TB Seagate Baracuda drive to replace my current 500GB drive.

Symptoms:  I have removed the old drive and installed the new drive.  I attempt to install Vista 32.  I get past entering in the install key, past the drive partitioning, then get to the installing windows...never goes past 0% and this error pops up.  It is an endless cycle.

PC details: 

HP Pavillion Media Center

Model:  M8100n

RAM:  3GB

Processor:  AMD Athlon 64 2.8GHz

Chipset:  GeForce 6150SE nForce 430

Motherboard:  ECS MCP61PM-HM (HP/Compaq name: Nettle2-GL8E)

What I have done so far:

Updated BIOS & chipset drivers.

Using the same drive I can install windows XP no problems.

Using the same drive I can clone my existing drive to the new one (while this works I really want a clean base install and not a copy of the drive I already have with it's existing clutter)

Once I clone the new drive I can do a fresh install of Vista overtop (Again not ideal and just wasting disk space)

The core problem is that I cannot delete any existing partitions, format my new drive and install Vista 32.

Answer 1

Problem is fixed.  I didn't get a chance to check out the drive compatibility, but I did find a solution that worked.  Turns out the problem appears to have been an issue formatting the drive through the Vista CD.  It's very frustrating when you get an error that is not defined anywhere, especially a Microsoft error that they don't document on their support pages.

Anyway, I normally wouldn't cut and paste an answer, but this is the solution that worked for me that I found on another message board (Thanks Mak)

Get GParted.

http://sourceforge.net/project/mirror_picker.php?height=350&width=300&group_id=115843&use_mirror=superb-east&filename=gparted-livecd-0.3.3-0.iso

Download and burn the ISO with ImgBurn:

http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/G/Burning+ISO+Images+with+ImgBurn

From there load up GParted with the CD in your tray. It is a bootable CD. From there select the partition you want to install to. Right click on that partition and you will see the format option. Choose the NTFS option and format the drive. Then restart with the Vista DVD in the Tray.

Go thru the boot process. It should now work.

The issue you are having is related to the format. Vista does not do a full format it does just a quick where it erases the data. The problem is that you have a corrupted spot on the hard drive which is causing this issue.

Doing this will get rid of that spot and allow for a install to complete.

Answer 2

Apparently my problem isnt fixed.  With your help I'm able to get past that one error but I got another. I do the partition with the Gparted, then reboot with the vista cd and start the install. I select the drive that I partitioned and click Next.  The first part goes to 100% quick enough and then goes to expanding files and that moves along nicely, till it got to 98% when it went to the BSOD. It happened twice so far, first time I got an error message about the ntfs.sys. The 2nd time it didnt give me any information other than the Stop error, which started with Stop: 0x0000001E.  Any ideas? I'd rather not have to take this to Best Buy if I can help it.

Answer 3

mine too. I had the same problem last year when I was installed vista ultimate and I couldnt find a fix to the problem, so I had to take it to Best Buy, they were able to install after much difficulty I hear, but it cost me about $100 to have them do it.  I had to install again because of some problems I was having and was getting the same issue, luckily though you found a solution and Vista is installing. Thanks a couple of tons.

Answer 4

Thanks a ton! I was totally lost and getting frustrated, your help fixed my issue!

Answer 5

Hello RikyRik,

Thanks for using the Microsoft Answers Forum.

You might try looking at the compatibility list located at the link below and see if your hard drive is listed. This could be the cause of your installation issue. If your hard drive is not listed you will need to contact your manufacturer and try to obtain drivers for your hard drive from them. Make sure that you use the specific model number when searching for your device in the list.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/Search.aspx?type=Hardware&s=Seagate%20barracuda%201.5%20TB

Let us know what you find

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Judd

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.