Resolved Windows OS cd won't boot

OK, so have you followed the last set of instructions and what is the result?

 

That's interesting Pete. So what I just found might help if there is any doubt about the authenticity of the OS disc (just maybe).

This link will give you a set of start up discs for XP pro which you will have to use your friends machine to make. Your use of the win98 floppy does show that your floppy drive is working. This set of floppies will load a host of drivers that should then enable you to get the OS disc to work in the CD drive, fingers crossed.

http://download.cnet.com/Windows-XP..._4-10727796.html?tag=hdr;recommendedDownloads

 

Ok, I followed the instructions again...BTW, I am using an OE xp Pro cd, not a dell. It has the hologram finish on it. When I try the boot, it hesitates for a while and then has this error "primary master drive 1 not found "

 

I am getting lost for ideas now but it seems like your computer is not detecting all the drives and that is what the bios should be doing. Below is another trick which may work as this will reset your bios to default and make it detect all the drives. It was specific to Dell computers but without mentioning any particular models so it may not be of any use.

Keep the XP disc in the drive during this operation.



Please try my suggestion above first with the floppy disc set.

 

Hi Geno, hope the above suggestions have worked but if not: I have just read on another forum someone had an identical problem having installed a new hard drive in the same model of computer. They found that a copied disc of XP would not work but an original did. It does seem from what you have said that your disc is original but it may have some unseen damage, just enough damage to stop your computer from allowing it to run. Maybe, just maybe, you might get a result if you can borrow an XP Pro disc from someone else and use your own genuine product key.

And one final idea for today, run a cleaner through you CD drive with it connected to your friends computer just in case there is any dirt on the lens which could also cause it not to boot.

 

Wow, fella's...I have received an education on this job...Finally..success. I had originally replaced the cd drive with another because I suspected it to be bad. No help...I then unhooked the ribbon cable and tried to run it from the dvd drive...again, no help. Then, with all of your help, we got in deep with no help again.
I had a brainstorm today. I replaced the dvd drive with another on and unhooked the cd drive again. I reset the defaults as you instructed in an earlier post. The dvd was defective as well as both cd drives. And now the format was a success. I am now loading the drivers and am on my way.
Thank you very much for your help and I have donated to the forum...

 

That's great news Geno. Having gone round in a full circle from where we started I am very pleased to hear you got there in the end, well done.

Are all those drives really defective or are the jumpers on the back in the wrong place.

 

I changed both of them from cs to master and then back again...The dvd did have some strange noises