can't get xp to install on hard drive!!

[Guest]

I boot from cd-rom and the process goes smoothly---fdisk x 1 partition (abt.
80gig) and format the entire disk. Installation continues until the first
re-boot. Windows never loads. Message indicates that it can't find the
operating system. What the heck happened?

bill in las Cruces

 

[Sandman]

If you are installing XP, why are you using fdisk? XP will boot from the Cd,
and you then delete the existing partition, make 1 partition of the whole
drive and let XP format it and install...(?)

 

[t.cruise]

Are you trying to install from a Windows XP CD that's OEM, and not on the system that it
came with? If that's the case, the install is tied to the motherboard of the original
system, and will not install.

T.C.

 

[Plato]

I boot from cd-rom and the process goes smoothly---fdisk x 1 partition (abt.
80gig) and format the entire disk. Installation continues until the first
re-boot. Windows never loads. Message indicates that it can't find the
operating system. What the heck happened?

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316941

 

[Keith]

I boot from cd-rom and the process goes smoothly---fdisk x 1 partition
(abt.
80gig) and format the entire disk. Installation continues until the first
re-boot. Windows never loads. Message indicates that it can't find the
operating system. What the heck happened?

bill in las Cruces

Are you preparing the existing drive or a new one.?
Are you using XP CD to partition and format?