Installing WinXP Pro over a non-MS O/S

[Guest]

I have a Toshiba laptop that came preinstalled with Windows Home. It screwed
up so many times that I switched to Linux and then to FreeBSD. I have a new
computer (Sony VAIO... W00t!) to run FreeBSD on and would like to put Windows
XP Pro on my old laptop. I boot off the installer CD. It says to press any
key to boot off the CD. I do so. Everything locks up. It doesn't even get to
the Welcome screen. What can I do?

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Duane

Your problem would seem to be more attributable to Linux/FreeBSD than to
Windows.. perhaps if you were to visit a Linux/FreeBSD forum or newsgroup
for answers and a resolution re. removal of the strange partition left by
Linux/FreeBSD, we would be more than happy to help you re-install Windows on
your return..

 

[Guest]

There are no "strange" partitions. There are partitions, but there's nothing
wrong. Am I going to have to run a disk management app off a CD or something?

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Duane

If Windows will not install on your system, there is a good chance that
Linux/FreeBSD left something behind that Windows does not like.. that is why
I suggested a Linux/FreeBSD group for answers to your problem..

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I have a Toshiba laptop that came preinstalled with Windows Home. It
screwed up so many times that I switched to Linux and then to
FreeBSD. I have a new computer (Sony VAIO... W00t!) to run FreeBSD on
and would like to put Windows XP Pro on my old laptop. I boot off the
installer CD. It says to press any key to boot off the CD. I do so.
Everything locks up. It doesn't even get to the Welcome screen. What
can I do?

Use a Win 98/Me boot disk and type fdisk /mbr.

Get a boot disk from http://bootdisk.com
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Guest]

So, the Windows XP installer locks up because there are existing non-NTFS
partitions on the drive?

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Duane

Linux has it's own cute file system format which will have to be removed
before installing XP.. Linux takes control of the MBR as I understand, and
is loathe to let go.. no doubt Michael will put me right if I understand
incorrectly..

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Duane

Linux has it's own cute file system format which will have to be
removed before installing XP.. Linux takes control of the MBR as I
understand, and is loathe to let go.. no doubt Michael will put me
right if I understand incorrectly..

That would be the right. fdisk /mbr will renew the mbr and get rid of Linux.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

In the early days of Linux, it wasn't unknown for some to low level format
in a bid to rid themselves of the pesky penguin..

 

[ANONYMOUS]

You will need to wipe the entire HD clean first and the only way that
works 100% first time and effortlessly known to mankind in the 21st
century is to use KILLDISK downloadable from here:

http://www.killdisk.com/

The reason you need this tool is because you have used Linux on the
system and XP hasn't got the tools to deal with this properly. Simple
Format hasn't worked for many though I haven't had such problems yet.

hth