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Windows XP Startup Problem (Need to format without XP CD and Install a Linux)

Tags:
  • Linux Mint
  • Desktops
  • Hewlett Packard
  • Windows XP
Last response: in Linux/Free BSD
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August 12, 2014 3:10:18 PM

So I have two desktop machines (HP Compaq dc7600 SFF) and one machine recently decided to start playing up (looping to booting at startup;Safe Mode, Command Prompt also playing up). I have decided to try out the Linux Mint Mate (17 Qiana) on this machine and have difficulty going about it. Also I have lost the CD's that came with the XP OS. Need big time help as Im a Newbie at this...

More about : windows startup problem format install linux

August 12, 2014 3:26:14 PM

Care to give us a clue why you having difficulty?
Surely its ..

Download...
Burn to DVD
Boot machine to DVD
Follow prompts?

How is that so difficult?
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August 12, 2014 3:30:31 PM

- Download your distribution as .ISO file
- use CD writing software capable of burning ISOs (ImgBurn is a popular choice)
- boot your computer with the CD, proceed with installation
- this will DELETE EVERYTHING from that computer!!!

Since you don't want to re-install XP, yoiu don't neet that XP OS CD either.
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August 12, 2014 4:25:04 PM

OK, say my CD/DVD drive is not working; I've tried booting from USB but an error keeps occuring saying "NLTDR file is missing"; Wat do I do? or wat does this mean..Sorry I accidently clicked on the solved thingy
yoji said:
Care to give us a clue why you having difficulty?
Surely its ..

Download...
Burn to DVD
Boot machine to DVD
Follow prompts?

How is that so difficult?


Alabalcho said:
- Download your distribution as .ISO file
- use CD writing software capable of burning ISOs (ImgBurn is a popular choice)
- boot your computer with the CD, proceed with installation
- this will DELETE EVERYTHING from that computer!!!

Since you don't want to re-install XP, yoiu don't neet that XP OS CD either.


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August 13, 2014 9:59:54 AM

"NTLDR file is missing" means that you are still booting from internal HDD (which presumably has damaged Windows installation).

Major Linux distros have good guides about how to prepare bootable USB disk. I am not fan of Linux Mint, but first search on "Linus Mint bootable USB" produced a tutorial.

You have to make sure your computer supports and is configured for boot from USB.
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Best solution

August 13, 2014 12:12:01 PM

if you have made bootable usb correctly and its not booting,means there is problem in boot order.
go to bios and move the usb hdd on the top ,save and exit.
then try,if it still not boot then ur usb is not bootable,use different software.
http://engg-haven.blogspot.in/2014/08/make-your-usb-pen...
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August 13, 2014 4:15:43 PM

techie_dude said:
if you have made bootable usb correctly and its not booting,means there is problem in boot order.
go to bios and move the usb hdd on the top ,save and exit.
then try,if it still not boot then ur usb is not bootable,use different software.
http://engg-haven.blogspot.in/2014/08/make-your-usb-pen...


Noted and trying now (I also tried changing the boot order but nothing)..however I've got the machine hooked up with a working DVD-Rom Drive and burnt the ISO to a DVD and trying with a few errors...Posted a new thread here
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August 13, 2014 5:13:10 PM

Thanks everyone! I found the issue with the USB install...The problem was with the USB, it was a UDisk, simply used another USB and voila!!
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