New XP install on Thinkpad, not reading CD

I recently purchased a refurb ThinkPad X22 with mediaslice, but no OS installed. I started it up with the XP Pro bootdisk in the DVD/CD drive but it did not find the CD drive to start the install. I went through the BIOS and set it so I can select my boot device. Tried the CD, Removeable Devices, tried something called IBA Media, tried all the options and nothing worked. I next downloaded the Windows XP Pro floppy bootdisk program, but again the ThinkPad did not recognize any devices. Finally, I copied the entire Win XP Pro install CD to a 2GB USB drive, uplugged the ThinkPad from the mediaslice, and enabled the BIOS option to boot from USB... still nothing.

I have another ThinkPad (600e) that I could possibly use to put the new blank HDD in. I also have a big ol' desktop that I could possibly plug in the HDD externally given the right equipment. Can I install the OS or copy the files while plugged into either of these machines? Will that work? Any other suggestions.

Many thanks

 

Installing on the HD in another system would probably work provided of course nothing wrong with the HD or some other problem on the other system(s). IF you try this then do it on the older ThinkPad - it'll be the closet to the environment you want to run in.

The question really is what happens when XP "wakes up" back in the ThinkPad X22. Having never done this, your quess is as good as mine I also think this is not strictly legal according to the EULA for XP.

And you have a hardware issue. Does the cd spin up? You say you have a XP Pro bootdisk, is it a retail XP pro cd - full OS? I'm asking because there is a distinction between a boot disk and an OS cd.

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks Charles, good question about the disk--it is the full OS retail version of XP Pro. Not sure if this helps.

I will try the new HD in my 600e tonight and see if I get anywhere. If for nothing else to be sure the HD is not busted.

-rich