Resolved Can't install WinXP on new disk

Hi all,

I'm trying to install XP on a new 500GB drive. The disk is formatted, cluster size is 4kb, set to "Active" and the entire drive is just C.

However, every time I try to install XP (either my slipped streamed SP2 or the original XP disk w\SP1) it loads all the stuff it needs (I can see the CD light blinking), and I hit F8, it acts like it's going to install, however, I can't get past "Setup cannot read the CD . . ." screen "” no matter which disk I use.

I don't know what to do.

 

Are there any noticeable scratches on the disks? I have used abrasive plastic cleaners before to make a disk readable. Just be sure to wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth instead of a terry towel. I've heard of some using toothpaste, but I haven't tried that yet.

Is it necessary to hit F8? My computer always boots from the installation disk after I change the boot settings in the BIOS.

 

Hi James,

Hitting F8 is agreeing to M$'s terms and conditions before it installs. And, no, there are no scratches, smudges or pinholes: That's the first thing I checked. All BIOS settings are set correctly; e.g. Ist Boot Device is the CD\DVD drive, the 2nd is the HDD. That's it. There's no floppy drive in this new MOBO.

 

I see. It's hard for me to remember all the little things that goes on with a new install. Maybe it would help to recheck the connections.

Is there anyway to plug in another optical drive to that machine?

For what's worth, I found some software to scan your disks with to see if they have any read errors. I'm sure there are others, but this is the first thing I came across...

CDCheck​

Here's another...

CDReader​

 

Hi James,

Thanks for the links, but they don't pertain to what I have going on. First I gotta get XP installed.

 

Chris, if you can boot from a USB drive, download Rufus (from the tutorial link) and follow this tutorial to install XP from USB.

 

I'll give it a try because I'm stumped at this point. I also DL'ed CDCheck and ran it on both XP disks: Everything was fine — no errors, etc.

 

Hi jpChris, here's a link to a walk through of how to install XP on a new Hard drive:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/installxpnew1.htm

Is your HD SATA? Have you loaded the Drivers for SATA? (F6 is the key to load SATA.)
I think the walk through covers all the necessary points. Neil.

 

Hi Neil,

Yes, it's a 500GB SATA drive. From every install it says to press F 6 to load scsi or raid drivers. Should I hit F6 and put in the MOBO disk and then remove it and put the XP CD back to install?

I'm quitting for the night. And, thanks, Neil for the link. I've got it bookmarked and shall attempt it tomorrow.

If anyone has any ideas as to how to force XP to install, I'd be grateful.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oDT40ewh90 This is a video showing how to load SATA. Neil.

 

How do you know which drivers to use, Neil? I think I saw more than one SATA driver in the video.

 

I think this is the answer James.
Determine the type of processor in the computer, then search for and download the latest SATA AHCI driver from the processor manufacturer's web site.
Here's another link with a good process to follow. How to install XP on SATA HD:http://en.kioskea.net/faq/2544-installing-windows-xp-on-a-sata-hard-drive Neil.

 

I thought the XP instal disk (at least SP2) would have SATA drivers long before now. I know little about SATA. My old machine has IDE connections.

 

jpChris, Are we talking about the comp in your System Details?
If so, you have 1 IDE connector and 2 SATA connectors.
You have a new SATA empty HD - surely this is like building a new unit.
Have tried installing your motherboard CD with all the drivers on it?
You should then be able to load the XP OS then update from MS and install SP3. Neil.

 

Wonder if slipstreaming with SP3 would supply those SATA drivers.

 

Unbelievable

Hi all,

Sorry for the tardy reply.

Anyway, it went like this: In my last post I was going to quit for the night after doing a little percussive maintenance with a 16# sledge hammer. I decided to give it one more try. I put in the disk and got the same messages, but one of the options was to put in a Win98 disk. I thought, "What the heck, I can install 98 and then install XP over the top." Well, after about ten seconds it told me to insert the XP Pro disk!!!

At that moment I realized what I had forgotten so many, many years ago: "it" wanted verification! I had completely forgotten that step and hadn't read it anywhere.

Also, I can't find whom to thank for the link to "Partition Wizard Boot Disk ". This turned out to be one of the best tools for formatting, partitions (both adding and moving), and just a whole bunch of great stuff. This is definitely going to be a "keep me" program.

 

I've installed W98se and XP many times, but I can't recall the step you are referring to.

Nevertheless, great work! How is you XP install coming along? Any trouble downloading updates installing after SP3?