XP clean install problem

[johnny dane]

Recently my harddrive got re-formated and virtually wiped
clean, by me because I wanted to do a clean install of XP. But now I'm
afraid I've done something bad. I try to load XP by using the disc
that came with my computer, I guess it's called the recovery disc. But
when I try to run setup exe. it says this program will not run in dos
mode. How else or you supposed to run it? Any help greatly
appreciated.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

How are you trying to reinstall XP - booting from the XP CD that you have?
If you have a 'recovery' disk, have a look at the documentation that came
with it. If you reformatted and deleted any hidden partition, you may have
to contact your PC supplier for help.

 

[johnny dane]

Hi

How are you trying to reinstall XP - booting from the XP CD that you have?
If you have a 'recovery' disk, have a look at the documentation that came
with it. If you reformatted and deleted any hidden partition, you may have
to contact your PC supplier for help.

Well, actually, I was booting to a Win ME startup disc ( the 3
1/2 kind) so I could get to a dos prompt. Then trying to install from
the recovery disc in the cd rom drive. But from your response it
sounds as if I could boot straight to the cd. I wasn't aware that this
was an option. But from reading some other posts I think maybe I have
to change the BIOS settings to allow a boot to the cd rom? Is this
correct? I'm currently at work so I can't read any documentation that
came with the recove. disc.

 

[Will Denny]

Well, actually, I was booting to a Win ME startup disc ( the 3
1/2 kind) so I could get to a dos prompt. Then trying to install from
the recovery disc in the cd rom drive. But from your response it
sounds as if I could boot straight to the cd. I wasn't aware that this
was an option. But from reading some other posts I think maybe I have
to change the BIOS settings to allow a boot to the cd rom? Is this
correct? I'm currently at work so I can't read any documentation that
came with the recove. disc.

Hi

You will perhaps need to change the boot sequence in the BIOS, yes. The
manual for your motherboard should show you how to do that. I'm not sure
what is on your XP recovery CD, but if you want to try installing from DOS,
try running winnt.exe from the i386 folder. Don't forget to load smartdrive
beforehand, otherwise the install will take ages.

 

[Bill]

In

Well, actually, I was booting to a Win ME startup disc ( the 3
1/2 kind) so I could get to a dos prompt. Then trying to install from
the recovery disc in the cd rom drive. But from your response it
sounds as if I could boot straight to the cd. I wasn't aware that this
was an option. But from reading some other posts I think maybe I have
to change the BIOS settings to allow a boot to the cd rom? Is this
correct?

Yes. Reboot the machine and press F-(whatever gets you into the bios).
Look for the boot sequence option in the bios and set whatever drive the CD
is in, so it's first. Reboot again, and follow the instructions.

Given your previous posts, I'd opt for a format (even if it seems redundant)
and a new install.

Make sure you have your Product Key handy.

Good luck,
Bill