install windows 2000 professional without disk support

I know that if i do a fresh install of windows 2000 i am supposed to use windows 98 start up diskettes to begin the process. What if i don't have a working diskette drive. Is it possible to install without them? Also, I have windows xp Pro but i am trying to get away from it so i'm formatting so that i can install win2k.

 

The Windows 2000 Install CD-ROM is bootable. That means you can start the installation process without a Boot Floppy (win98 or other).

To boot to a CD restart the PC and in the very first screens that appear (POST screens - white writing on a black background), you should see something along the lines of "Press Esc to enter setup" and follow that instruction. The exact wording of the message and key you have to hit depends on your motherboard. However, it is usually either the Escape (ESC), or Delete (DEL) key; though I have seen boards where it is F1 or F2. If you dont see the message try pressing ESC and DEL alternately as the PC first boots up - that usually works (however, hitting F1 and F2 a couple of times for good measure is always a pleasurable experience and it might wipe some dust off them).

You will then be taken to the BIOS setup screens. Within these you can set up the boot sequence. Usually this is on the second page, but you may have to hunt around for it. Some boards have a seperate Boot page.

First make a note of the current boot sequence (you will probably want to revert to this when you finish). Change the boot sequence so that the CD-ROM is the first device.

Save the changes (often F10) and exit the BIOS setup screens.

Reboot with the Windows 2000 CD in the drive.

Watch the boot screens though. Some motherboards prompt the user to hit a key if they want to boot to a detected CD, and if you don't you'll boot to hard disk as normal.

You should then get to a Blue screen which is the start of the Win2000 install process.

After you install, go through the process again and reset the boot sequence to the original one you noted down before you changed it.