XP install problem

I am trying to install Windows XP as a clean install on a formatted hard drive. I am using a Windows 98 boot disk to boot up. When I try to install XP I get an error message indicating that Windows XP cannot be installed from DOS mode. The XP Cd will not boot itself for some reason.

 

thank you

Thank you Pete. I will give it a go in the morning and let you know how it went. Thanks again for your time and quickness in responding.

Moose

 

As per a previous discussion----
Setup.exe cannot be run from the XP CD from DOS. Setup.exe requires Windows.

To start the installation from DOS, you need to run X:\i386\winnt.exe from the CD (where X is the drive letter assigned by to your CD-ROM).

It is also a good idea to use smartdrv.exe which will enable disk-caching in DOS and speed the DOS portion of the installation. A modified startup DOS floppy that loads smartdrv automatically is available here:

http://www.mirrors.org/archived_software/www.bootdisk.com/xpfiles/xpboot.exe

 

Moose

This is the way to boot from CD!

And should work unless your CD is non standard and and is not supported by your BIOS! Rare these days!

Put your XP CD in the drive! Reboot!

Enter CMOS/BIOS usually on the 1st page you see, 1st Boot device. It will probably say Floppy! Change it to CD Rom!

Save changes and exit! Watch for a prompt that says "Hit any key to boot from CD Rom" hit enter!

The CD will boot and XP install will begin to run!

After completeing the install you can set the 1st boot device back to Floppy if you want!

Mike

 

new problem

First off, thank you to all who have taken time out of their day to respond to my questions. My gratitude goes out to you all.

I have changed the BIOS boot sequence and have begun XP setup. However, as I come to the section asking me where to put the files, after I choose the only option available it says it is checking the hard drive and then states that Setup has performed maintanence on the hard disk and that I must restart the computer to continue setup. Once I restart I end up going throught the whole thing again. A vicious loop. I guess my question is; since it is an old hard drive, could it be damaged from previous crashes on an old OS? The crashes and lost files are the reason for this complete clean install.

Thanks in advance,
Moose

 

Moose!

Boot with DOS.

FDISK the drive!

Clear it of everything!

Format with DOS!

Then try again!

Is the HD properly detected by the CMOS/BIOS?

Mike

 

Moose---

There is an option during setup to remove all the partitions. After doing so, make a new partition the maximum size, if you want to use the whole drive for XP.

It will then ask you which partition to install XP into. So pick the one you want (or the only one, if you have made the whole drive one partition). Try installing again. Setup will format the disk in NTFS, which you can't do from DOS.

If that doesn't work, you may have drive problems. Have you ever had Linux on that drive?

 

ok, did an fdisk and repartitioned the drive in NTFS it downloads all of the setup files and says it needs to restart the computer and the vicious loop continues. Linux has never been used on this computer. Sorry for all of the continued posting and problems.

Moose

 

What exactly does the thing say to you? Any error messages that make sense?

It could be some incompatible hardware, or is it the same message about "performing maintenance" on the disk?

And please don't worry about the posting and problems---that's what we're here for!

 

Try copying this file onto your boot floppy:

http://russelltexas.com/delpart.exe

It has a graphical user interface that is fairly easy to use. Run it from the command prompt after you boot from floppy. Delete all partitions. This will get rid of even the most stubborn remnants. Don't repartition with fdisk. Let XP take care of that.

Note: You might want to try running fdisk /mbr from the floppy, too, just to see if repairing the Master Boot Record does any good.

 

finally

Well , the cause of my last problem was my fault. I was not pulling the CD out of the computer before it would restart so it would automatically try to start from the beginning. Thanks to your help, I have successfully loaded XP on the unit. however XP has resized the window and now I have a 2 inch black margin around the screen on all 4 sides. I realize it is a simple screen adjustment but it is a joyous older micron laptop and I can't find the manual for it. haha The search begins and a test of my use of function keys awaits. Thanks everyone!

Moose

 

That's good news.

I was wondering about that possibility of restarting the installation over. They don't make it too clear that the second boot should be from the HD, do they?

It seems soooooo easy after you've done it.

PS. I don't know what vid card you have, but check with their website for an update. Many drivers include options to resize the screen, etc. under Display properties, Settings, Advanced. The MS drivers usually don't have any of the fancy stuff.

 

Phuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!

Mike