Loading XP Pro?? Well, trying to.

After having my Windows 2000 OS completely overrun by spyware. Ihave purchased XP pro in hopes of a somewhat more secure internet platform. My problem is that the cd does not want to load from the DOS prompt. Is this normal? I went to my bios settings to change the boot drive to the cd, but when the bios window appeared, the keyboard failed to work. The keyboard works fine when I have a DOS prompt. I pretty green at this, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Dave

 

Two things come to mind - Do you have a USB keyboard? If so, you'll need to get a conventional ps2 type.

If not that, then upon entering the BIOS setup area, you must use the keys that are listed at the bottom of the screen. Normally the arrow keys and the -+ keys are all that you need.

If neither of those help, post back and I'll hook you up with a boot floppy that will allow you to do the install without booting directly to the CD.

I'm assuming you have a floppy drive, yes? And you have a full retail version XP disk and not an upgrade, yes?

 

Thanks for the response.
The keyboard is a PS2.
I tried the arrow keys and they still wouldn't move the cursor.
Fortunately I've got my laptop from work with me!
I've got a 98se boot disk and the 4 start-up floppys from 2000 pro. Are they helpful at all?

 

Yes, the Win98 boot disk will work if it has cd-rom support - most do.

Just put the install CD in the bay and the floppy in its bay and boot up with cd-rom support. Then change drives to the cd-rom by typing in the proper drive letter and colon. The drive letter designation for the cd-rom will depend on whether or not your boot disk creates a RAM drive. If it does, the cd-rom drive will probably be E: if not probably D: so try both if need be. Then cd to the i386 folder. Then run the winnt.exe command.

 

I was able to get to the directory of the xp cd, but my dos skills are pretty weak. I see the I386 file- what do I do with it?
The only EXE file is "setup" but it says "this program cannot be run in DOS mode "
Thanks again!

 

Once you get the cd-rom prompt, You'll have to get resident in the i386 folder by typing cd i386 (enter)

Then type winnt.exe (enter) and follow the screen directions.

 

That did the trick. Thanks for pointing me the right direction.
I did get a prompt about windows did not detect smartdrive. It says I can continue without it but the performance will not be as good. How do I start smartdrive?

 

You don't unless you have it on your boot floppy. Chances are it not. You can download this file and run it to create a better boot floppy that loads smartdrive for you automatically.

XP Boot Disk

That's an executable file. Download it to your Dektop. Put a blank floppy in the drive bay and double click this download file. It will format and create the boot floppy.

Best get it since it takes ages to install XP without smartdrive.

 

Everything appears to be off and running thanks a million for your help!

 

My pleasure. Thanks for posting back so others can learn from your experience.
ps. Spent 2 wet years in Ft. Lewis 57 ~ 59. Defending our country from invasion.

 

It's a shame you'll miss the drought of '05. They declared a state of emergency today, for the upcoming summer! pretty amazing.