Problems Installing Windows XP

[SabrinaP]

My father was recently given a Dell Latitude CPi laptop. I am not aware
of who had it previously, but I do know that they apparently wiped
everything off of it including the operating system. At some point, it
appears they tried to load Win95 but didn't finish the process.

When you turn the computer on, it attempts to load Win95, and then the
following message appears: To continue installing Windows 95 please
insert the WINDOWS 95 cd into the CD-ROM drive. Type x:\setup (x=cd rom
drive letter)

Well, apparently the cd rom drive letter is not d (as it is on
practically everything I've ever owned). The only letter I can get to
work is "a", but when I type a:\setup, I get the following: Not ready
reading drive A
Abort, Retry, Fail?

When I retry, the same message keeps appearing. I don't know how to
finish installation.

I have a Windows XP upgrade CD which my dad wants me to put on this
laptop, but I can't even get Windows 95 to install. Are the Cd drivers
missing, and that's why it can't read the drive? I have no idea what to
do at this point. A friend told me I could also use my desktop computer
to load the OS, but I have no idea whether that's even possible or how
to go about doing it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm really good at following
directions as long as I know step-by-step what to do. Thanks!

 

[WTC]

How to install or upgrade to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941

Use the "Install Windows XP to a new hard disk" method from the above
article. Also, make sure you delete all partitions and format the drive when
you reach the appropriate screen **IF** there is no data on the hard drive
you wish to keep.

How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348

Read the section "How to partition and format your hard disk by using the
Windows XP Setup program" and **notice** the warning note about losing all
data if you do not back up the hard drive prior to this operation.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Sabrina should also note that any computer that someone wanted to install
Windows 95 on is very likely to be *way* underpowered to run Windows XP.

Unless it has at least a 400MHz processor, 256MB of RAM, and a 10GB hard
drive, Windows XP will be a dismal experience. It won't be great even with
those specs, but it will at least start to become usable.