Setup from disks problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bob K.
  • Start date Start date
B

Bob K.

Config: Dell Inspirion 8200, XP Pro, 256MB

Hi,

I'm trying to re-install XP Pro on my laptop to fix some problems and having
trouble getting it to boot from floppy drive. I'm trying to use the floppy
drive because I want to reformat C: prior to doing the install. I've also
had trouble getting it to boot from the CD drive so I used the floppies each
time I install XP. Two times so far. The problem now is that when I put
the boot disk in and reboot I get this message saying to remove media and
hit any key to restart. I've tried boot disks made from an XP machine and
an old WIN98 machine. Both disks work fine in other PCs. So at this point
the problem is not really the XP install but getting the PC to boot from
floppy and/or reformatting C: so I can do the install from the floppies and
XP CD.

I did try doing an install from the CD hoping that somewhere at the
beginning of the process there would be an option to first format C: but
there wasn't. Instead I did a fresh install but it wasn't as clean and
there were some lingering programs on the disk. Because of this I wanted to
start fresh, reformat and install XP.

Any hints on a solution to this would be appreciated.

Thanks for the help.

Bob
 
Use the following procedure for an easy way to perform a clean install:

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

Note: If you are unable to activate Windows XP again via the internet,
then select the option to "activate by telephone".

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| Config: Dell Inspirion 8200, XP Pro, 256MB
|
| Hi,
|
| I'm trying to re-install XP Pro on my laptop to fix some problems and having
| trouble getting it to boot from floppy drive. I'm trying to use the floppy
| drive because I want to reformat C: prior to doing the install. I've also
| had trouble getting it to boot from the CD drive so I used the floppies each
| time I install XP. Two times so far. The problem now is that when I put
| the boot disk in and reboot I get this message saying to remove media and
| hit any key to restart. I've tried boot disks made from an XP machine and
| an old WIN98 machine. Both disks work fine in other PCs. So at this point
| the problem is not really the XP install but getting the PC to boot from
| floppy and/or reformatting C: so I can do the install from the floppies and
| XP CD.
|
| I did try doing an install from the CD hoping that somewhere at the
| beginning of the process there would be an option to first format C: but
| there wasn't. Instead I did a fresh install but it wasn't as clean and
| there were some lingering programs on the disk. Because of this I wanted to
| start fresh, reformat and install XP.
|
| Any hints on a solution to this would be appreciated.
|
| Thanks for the help.
|
| Bob
 
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