Error code: 0x80070003?

I'm trying to do a clean install of Win 8.1 Home on a laptop with a inoperative version of Win7 Home.
Three times I've tried and three times, at various stages, I get the error message:

Windows cannot install required files. The file does not exist. Make sure all files required are available,
and restart the installation. Error code: 0x80070003.

What next?

John

Where/how did you get the install media? Sure sounds like bad media.

Are you trying to install 32 or 64 bit? If 64 bit does your hardware meet the requirements?

System requirements - Microsoft Windows

I think I had Win7 64bit installed, but I can't look at it now. I'm trying 8.1 32 bit.
Install always failed on the Getting files ready for installation (XX%) but never at the same
percentage of completion- once at about 20%, once at 90%.

32 bit seems to have worked. i'll check my system and try an upgrade, if practical, later.
Thanks.

John

The key for 64 bit is this: Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2 (more info)


I was running Windows 8 Pro X64 and tried to update to 82. Pro X64 and failed like you, multiple times. Finally found out Microsoft had removed some emulation code from the kernel that handled PAE, NX, and SSE2 when the BIOS and system hardware did not have that. I switched to X86 (32 bit) and it installed fine. I only 4GB on that computer so no big deal.

Thanks for the assistance. Since my computer is running fine now with the 32 bit OS, I'll live with that.
I don't use it a lot so it won't be a problem, I'm sure.

John