Error Loading Operating System

[Jan :\)]

Hi all

I am trying to install Windows XP SP3 on my backup PC, and I am getting the
error message after installation "Error loading operating system"

I have 4 hard drives, 3 Maxtor and 1 SATA. Two are data drives, with no
operating system. One hard drive has 3 partitions, only two of which are
active. The 4th one had Vista SP2 installed on it. The two active
partitions on the one hard drive, and the hard drive that had Vista SP2 on
it have all been formatted, so XP would be the only operating system
installed on any hard drive, and it has been installed on the hard drive
that previously had Vista SP2 on it. I am thinking that after installing XP
on the C:\ drive that the drive it is not being seen on bootup, so XP won't
load. But, I'm not sure, so before I go and mess around in the Bios, I
wanted to know if there might some other reason for this error.

Any suggestions or information would be very much appreciated.

Jan

 

[Mark Adams]

Hi all

I am trying to install Windows XP SP3 on my backup PC, and I am getting the
error message after installation "Error loading operating system"

I have 4 hard drives, 3 Maxtor and 1 SATA. Two are data drives, with no
operating system. One hard drive has 3 partitions, only two of which are
active. The 4th one had Vista SP2 installed on it. The two active
partitions on the one hard drive, and the hard drive that had Vista SP2 on
it have all been formatted, so XP would be the only operating system
installed on any hard drive, and it has been installed on the hard drive
that previously had Vista SP2 on it. I am thinking that after installing XP
on the C:\ drive that the drive it is not being seen on bootup, so XP won't
load. But, I'm not sure, so before I go and mess around in the Bios, I
wanted to know if there might some other reason for this error.

Any suggestions or information would be very much appreciated.

Jan

Here is how you solve your bootup problem. Disconnect all of the drives from
the system except for the one that you want XP installed on. Use the xp disk
to delete the partitions, then recreate the partition and install XP. When
the install is complete, install the drivers, then service packs including
SP3. Turn on the Windows firewall, and set Automatic Updates to "Notify you
of updates, but do not download or install". Connect to the internet, and
when you are notified that updates are available, select "Custom Install".
Deselect "Windows Genuine Advantage" and check the box that you don't want to
be notified of this update again, and install the rest.

Now that you have Windows installed and updated, attach the other drives one
at a time in the order that you want the drive letters assigned. If the
proper drive letter isn't assigned, go in to Disk Management and assign it
the letter you want before you connect the next drive.

See how simple?

 

[Jan :\)]

Hi Mark,

Thank you very much for your time and help, it is much appreciated. I will
try your suggestion. Fingers crossed!

Jan

 

[Mark Adams]

Hi Mark,

Thank you very much for your time and help, it is much appreciated. I will
try your suggestion. Fingers crossed!

Jan

Let us know how it goes for the benefit of the newsgroup.

 

[Jan :\)]

I am still working on the issue, and hopefully, getting closer to a fix.
I'll post back the final results. The problem is, I am multi-booting 3 OSs
on the one machine on 3 different drives. I think the problem is that the XP
does not support SATA drives without installing the drivers for the SATA
first. So, what I am attempting now is to install the XP on the one
non-SATA drive I have for OS installation, and see if it will work. Then I
will be good from there to add the Vista SP2 on the SATA drive. Fingers
crossed.

Jan