Installation Problem – PFN_LIST_CORRUPT

Name: Niladri Saha

I am getting either of the two error messages when i goung to install XP in my Pc which are IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL or PFN_LIST_CORRUPT.
tThis not the first time i am going to install the XP.The configuration worked well before.
Is my HDD corrupted ? or something else?

Something wrong with your hard drive is the most likely issue. With the install of XP being fresh, and the PC configuration working before, it makes the most sense that the hard drive has something wrong with it now (bad sectors, controller is shot, etc)

If you know what brand your HD is, you can download diagnostic tools from the manufacturer’s website. Generally the software will be listed under the support section. Obviously this will have to be done from another computer, and you’ll likely have to burn a cd. Most of the time this CD (or floppy) will be bootable so it won’t be necc. to boot from your hard drive; this will allow you to test.

Do the quick test first, if it passes that, and often bad drives will, do the advanced.

Even if it passes the advanced test doesn’t neccesarily mean that the HD is good. I’ve had many bad drives tell me they were OK. If the drive is making more noise than usual (louder clicking, whining, grinding, etc) that’s usually a sure sign that she’s gone or going.

Another possibility is that your RAM is shot, or is for some reason no longer connected well. If you have access to some test RAM, you may want to try that out.

Also, what temp is your CPU getting to? Right after the machine crashes, reboot it and go to the BIOS. Under PC Health or some such area it should give you the temperature your processor is at. Excess heat = unstable computing.

Give all that a shot. Good luck. (Also, disconnect all excess peripherials from the machine while installing. Perhaps a crappy driver is trying to be loaded for something)