New XP Install

[Guest]

Acquired a used machine. Installed a new hard drive. Started new XP
install. It did all the copying and such. Then my kid had an accident and I
was away from my computer for an extended amount of time. Came back and the
screen said "Press to boot from CD...." I pressed the space bar and nothing
happened. Performed a Ctrl+Alt+Del restart. Get the same message. I press
the spacebar to boot from CD but nothing heppens. Any ideas?

 

[Keith AH]

You said it installed then let it copntinue rather then booting to the CD to
finalize the install

 

[Guest]

I should have said that "it started the copying process" then the accident
happened and I walked away. All I saw was the blue screen that said it was
copying files when I walked away. Then came back to see it say "Press any
key to boot from CD...."

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Windows never completed installing. You only ever press 'any other key to
boot from cd' once and that is when you first start the installation
process. At different stages during installation your pc will reboot and
produce the 'press any key' screen. It is important *not* to press any key.
Xp will then continue installing. For an illustrated view of the
installation process visit my website http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org Click
the Win XP Faq button and take a look at question 85

 

[Guest]

I followed your instructions. It downloaded then restart by itself. This
time it didn't come up with "press any key" message. It just goes to a blank
black screen. Any idea?

 

[Mistoffolees]

I followed your instructions. It downloaded then restart by itself. This
time it didn't come up with "press any key" message. It just goes to a blank
black screen. Any idea?

<<snipped>>

Back to Step One...check this machine for compatibility to
install and run Windows XP.