Force XP to install over older version?

[JoeSpareBedroom]

For reasons too strange to bother explaining, I need to use my ancient XP CD
to install onto a laptop with a newer version. When I pop in the CD and
start the installation, I get a message saying it can't install over a newer
version. It also says "If you continue the world will end blah blah
blah...), but the continue button is greyed out. The only options available
are Cancel and More Details.

How can I force this installation to do what I want?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

For reasons too strange to bother explaining, I need to use my ancient XP CD
to install onto a laptop with a newer version. When I pop in the CD and
start the installation, I get a message saying it can't install over a newer
version. It also says "If you continue the world will end blah blah
blah...), but the continue button is greyed out. The only options available
are Cancel and More Details.

How can I force this installation to do what I want?

You have two options:

1) Use your existing installation CD to perform a clean installation,
formatting the hard drive as the first step.

2) You'll either need to uninstall SP2 (Control Panel, Add/Remove
programs) before attempting the upgrade, or try slipstreaming SP2 into
older WinXP installation.

For slip-streaming the service pack and subsequent updates to WinXP:

How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828930

SlipStreaming WinXP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Bob I]

BOOT from the CD.

 

[JoeSpareBedroom]

Can't. The machine won't allow it for some eason. Give this message on a DOS
screen:

"Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware configuration
problem. Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and
disk hardware."

More info:

- In the machine's BIOS screen, the CD drive **is** activated as a possible
boot device, 2nd in line after the HD. I tried making it #1, to no avail.

- With Windows running, there are no problems accessing the CD drive for any
other purpose.

- Tested the CD in a good machine to be sure I could boot from it. It works.

 

[JoeSpareBedroom]

You have two options:

1) Use your existing installation CD to perform a clean installation,
formatting the hard drive as the first step.

2) You'll either need to uninstall SP2 (Control Panel, Add/Remove
programs) before attempting the upgrade, or try slipstreaming SP2 into
older WinXP installation.

Thanks, Bruce. The uninstall did the trick. Will research slipstreaming for
future endeavors. No time today.

 

[Bob I]

Interesting, I see you got around it, good job.

Can't. The machine won't allow it for some eason. Give this message on a DOS
screen:

"Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware configuration
problem. Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and
disk hardware."

More info:

- In the machine's BIOS screen, the CD drive **is** activated as a possible
boot device, 2nd in line after the HD. I tried making it #1, to no avail.

- With Windows running, there are no problems accessing the CD drive for any
other purpose.

- Tested the CD in a good machine to be sure I could boot from it. It works.

 

[JoeSpareBedroom]

Almost!

This computer was set upon by children, and was fraught with bizarre errors
& malfunctions. Then, a co-worker tried to help the machine's owner, which
somehow resulted in the user seeing two operating system choices, both
labeled as Windows XP. So, we figured that since all important data is
backed up, let's start from scratch.

Just finished the installation, and guess what? It's still showing two XP
installations to choose from at bootup.

 

[Guest]

Then you didn't do a clean install, just a repair install. (The boot.ini file
is still the same).

GS

 

[JoeSpareBedroom]

I ended up deleting the existing partition, recreating, blah blah
blah....all fixed.

Next time a friend asks if I can help with computer problems, I'm just going
to drool on their shoes and stare blankly.

Reminds me of a Dilbert cartoon. Co-worker asks "Dilbert, can you stop by my
house and fix my computer?" Dilbert says "Sure, and while I'm doing that,
you can be at my house cleaning the grout in my shower".

 

[Bob I]

And is there actually two installations on the unit, or is one "missing"?

 

[JoeSpareBedroom]

I didn't bother checking. I wanted to eliminate the annoyance of the
suggestion that there was. I started all over again, deleted the partition,
recreated it, reinstalled XP yet again, and the problem's gone. Now, from
what I can see, there's nothing extraneous on this machine. Nice & clean.