Windows Install Stuck at 31 Minutes

I am writing this from a server closet on a Sunday night. I know I will not have anytime tomorrow for a blog update so I'll get to it right now.

If you have ever done a Windows installation of any type you know that every once in a while you will get a frozen install. One of these day's Microsoft will realize that it is OK to install a bare application system and add the rest later as most if not all Linux installs do. Anyways.....

If you see on the left side of the screen something like:

Setup will complete in approximately: 31 minutes and you have a green bar at the bottom saying Installing Network Components or something and it hasn't moved in like 4 hours. There are some things you can do as Windows installs.

To get a better look at what is being installed press Shift + F11. This will pop up a installation window with better information as to what is being installed and what is really going on.

Another thing you can do is bring up a command prompt with Shift+F10. Depending on where you are in the installation you will be defaulted to the C:\Windows\System32> prompt. If you are in something like C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv do a folder change with the ( ../ ) command and come back a folder or two if need be.

From the System32 folder you can now open things like Task Manager (taskmgr.exe) and get to a GUI for visible files and folders. From the Task Manager you can also see what is taking so long in the processes tab and maybe stop the process to finish the install. Here you will find the errorlogs and other files that could help you with troubleshooting your installation.

Well back to work for me I have a long night ahead.

J