Unable to boot from Win 2K Pro CD

I just bought a new HD for my old P3 512MB Ram PC that has been laying around. Everything was installed in a breeze and I was well on my way to having the machine up and running except for the fact that I have been unable to boot from the Win 2K Pro CD to install windows. I have also tried booting from my old Win 98 CD and had the same results. I have tried switching out my CD drive and had no success. I have been able to boot into the Western Digital CD rom that came with the HD, and my Red Hat disk boots up to the Red Hat install menu. I am completely stumped by this and would appreciate any advice or help. I was considering going to by Win XP and hoping for the best, but I don't want to get it and not be able to boot from the disk to get it installed.

 

Have you got the BIOS set to boot from CD as it's first option?

If so and still no joy, you can create a set of install floppies from the 2K CD. Needs 4 disks I think. Specific instructions Here. Start the 2K install with the floppy disks and when it's ready for the CD, it should work fine.

 

I have changed the boot options in the BIOS and it produced the same results. I am going to take my 2k disk to work today and try to make the boot disks. Hopefully I can get that done and my problem will be solved. I will keep you updated.

Thanks.

 

If you didn't have any luck, take a look at the instructions Here.

Unfortunately, doing start => run => winnt32 /ox from the 2K CD won't work on 2K like it did with NT4 and you gotta use drive:\bootdisk\makeboot a: (where 'drive' is your CD drive letter)

 

I had this problem once before..apparently you can end up with windows 2000 cds that are NOT bootable.
I think this usually happens with pirated material, but it could happen with official stuff too I guess.
Try making a boot disc for it and you should be able to get to the cd that way.

 

I have rebuilt several machines many times and always booted from the orginal Windows 2000 Pro CD. As mentioned above, the BIOS will need to look to boot from the CD first, but that is the only prerequisite. If it does not work, contact Microsoft about replacing the CD. HTH.