Error code 0xC0000005 when trying to reinstall Windows Vista Ulitmate SP1

Question

My Mecer laptop is being seriously problematic. I was having some hectic issues with it and so asked in another thread as to how i could resolve the issues. a moderator recommended i perform a sfc scan which didnt help and i tried to run system restore and it was not running properly. AVG Free 8.5 reported no threats or viruses when I ran a full scan for viruses. So I decided to run a disk defragmenter with all my important files saved on my external hard-drive and the application would not open. My final resort is to reinstall Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 but when I attempt to run the installation of the disc that was packaged with my laptop, an error message reads:

Windows installation encountered an unexpected error. Verify that the installation sources are accessible, and restart the installation.

Error code: 0xC0000005

Whether I land up reinstalling Windows or not, I want my issues to be resolved in any way possible. Please help.

Answer 1

So you're not just trying to install Service Pack 1, you're trying to restore the computer to factory condition? And you do understand that restoring the machine to factory condition means that it will be like new, yes? If you are following the instructions given to you by the "Mecer" (? - I'm not familiar with that brand laptop) manual or their tech support website and you cannot restore, then you have hardware failure. Best to contact the laptop mftr.'s tech support.

Failure to install an operating system is usually caused by (in order of probability):

1. You are attempting to install with other devices connected to the computer. Disconnect them before trying to do an installation.
2. Faulty installation media. Check the installation CD/DVD for scratches, smudges. Test in another machine.
3. Faulty optical drive. Test with another bootable CD/DVD or swap it out for a known-working one.
4. Faulty RAM. Test with Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org. You will download the .iso to make a bootable cd. Burn the file with third-party burning software* - as an image, not as data. Then boot with the media you made (you may need to change the boot priority in your BIOS so that the optical drive is the first boot device). The test will run immediately. Let the test run for an hour or two - unless errors are seen immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.

*It is not necessary to have third-party burning software in Windows 7 since Win7 can natively burn an .iso. Other operating systems require it. A good free choice is ImgBurn from www.imgburn.com .

5. Faulty hard drive. Test with a diagnostic utility downloaded from the drive mftr.'s website. You will create a bootable CD with the file you download. Burn the file with third-party burning software - as an image, not as data. Boot with the CD you made and do a thorough test of the drive. If it fails any physical tests, replace it.
6. Other hardware components are faulty.

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MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!