I meet the same problem today,i find the answer in google search.

However, since most STOP errors have similar causes, there are some basic troubleshooting steps to help fix STOP 0x0000005C issues:

Restart your computer if you haven’t already done so. The STOP 0x0000005C blue screen error may not occur again after rebooting.
Use VirtualBox or at least VMware Workstation V8 if you’re receiving the HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error during the installation of Windows 8. Some older virtual machine programs don’t support Windows 8, Windows Virtual PC is one of them.
Perform all the other basic things, Such as, check your BIOS for latest update, Run Windows in last known good configuration mode, Clear junk and temporary files. These extensive troubleshooting steps aren’t specific to the STOP 0x0000005C error but since most STOP errors are so similar, they should help resolve it.

Now i'm downing the newest VM to try again

I got the same problem on Virtual PC. I installed virtual box and ended up in different error code with black screen. but I found a solution and installing windows 8 now.

what I did on virtual box is set 2 processors and as initial OS selection choose windows 7 64 bit. that worked for me. will update once it is actually finish installation.

Update...

it is installed and I am checking it now.

Hi,

I also had problems with this on VMWare, also tried virtual box but there was another error. The only option is downloading VMWare Workstation 8. Install that one (and remove previous versions of VMWare!) and create a new virtual machine. Make sure to remove the floppy disk before booting, else you will get a Product Key error.

Good Luck!

Hi,

Installed Successfully. I used VmWare and Virtual PC with no luck. Then I used Virtual box and it got Installed like a charm. Took about 7 minutes to install. Its nice, I am still taking look, but first look is nice. thanks. BTW I used 20gb HDD and 2GB memory.

Okay, I've tried to install the Windows Developer Preview in the Virtual Machines, and here's the result.
Windows Virtual PC: Fail(HAL_INITIALZATION_FAILED):Hard disk failure
VMWare softwares:all fine
VirtualBox: Fine for a few times, but then a a critical error.
On that reason, please use VMWare Workstation 8!

I tried to install Win 8 on a blank HDD on which I first loaded Vista. I got the error that the computer needs to restart, and I restarted it. After about 3 minutes, I got an message that said something to the effect that "something happened to stop the installation and we are not sure why." It then reverted back to Vista. As I mentioned, Vista is the only other thing on this HDD. I have plenty of memory, but the computer itself is about 5 yrs old.

Nobody is likely to read this post; but here it is anyway.

I have a (240Gig) laptop with a clean install of Vista 32 bit which I very recently upgraded to Windows 8 Pro (32-bit).
Easy.

I have had my hard-drive fail in the past so I got a new BIGGER hard drive (640Gig) and used Windows 8 CLONE Back-up (or whatever its called [I type this in a Win 7 laptop]),

I also did a Win 8 RECOVERY Disc.

HOWEVER

When I `swopped` the hard drives to boot the same clone on the same laptop, it fails with an error message;-
1st;- you have no operating system installed)
2nd;- With Boot recovery in; it tells me the content of the drives but tells me I cannot boot up and gives this error message;- 0x80042414

It would be nice if Microsoft gave instructions in ordinary English for ordinary English-speaking people to follow; rather than `in-house tech terminology that isn`t exactly correct`.

They know how to crush the spirit of Christmas out of you.

My HP laptop is corrupted . Error code is 0xc0000138 and another one is 0xc0000001. How to solve this problem>? Plz reply.