Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows XP > Windows XP General Discussion > Windows 98 to XP HELP
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
CADtech   02-12-2005 at 09:49:00 PM

Ok well i had win 98 i just formatted my hard drive and the windows xp disc wont startup the install instead it goes to DOS prompt. I tried setting teh cdrom as the the main boot but it doesnt boot form teh cdrom i tried to get the windows XP boot disk to install drivers but the discs it makes are corrupt... gah gah gah i just want it to start installing Win XP and i have no idea how to get it to start... i had a DOS disk that gives me cdrom support but when i goto it in does and enter setup it just gives me an error and the choice to abort retry or fail... im no DOS expert and its been a long ass time since i went from 98 to XP... thanks for any help

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
folken   02-12-2005 at 11:48:58 PM
- 0 +

Is that a legitimate XP disc? (not a burned copy of one)
The cd "should" be bootable. Have you tried the cd in another machine?
You can't start an xp install from a comand prompt. The setup requires a 32bit environment.

<A HREF="http://www.folken.net/myrig.htm" target="_new">My precious...</A>

Reply to folken
khha4113   02-13-2005 at 12:33:01 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

You can't start an xp install from a comand prompt. The setup requires a 32bit environment.


Actually, you can. The DOS setup file is <b><font color=red>Winnt.exe</b></font color=red> in \I386 folder. You can start WinXP setup in DOS by typing CDROM drive letter\i386\winnt.exe

Reply to khha4113
TheCh0s3n1   02-13-2005 at 03:51:44 AM
- 0 +

One question: Did you purchase the UPGRADE VERSION or the FULL VERSION?

If it's the Upgrade version, you shouldn't format before installation. It needs to install from an existing OS.

However, if it is the Full Version, try it again. Pay CLOSE ATTENTION to the screen from the moment you turn the computer on with the WinXP CD in the drive. You will see the message, "Press any key to boot from CD..."

Reply to TheCh0s3n1
folken   02-13-2005 at 04:39:37 AM
- 0 +

Actually I believe you can go from scratch with an "upgrade" disc. You just have to put in your previous windows disc when it asks you to during the install for verification.

<A HREF="http://www.folken.net/myrig.htm" target="_new">My precious...</A>

Reply to folken
TheCh0s3n1   02-13-2005 at 06:29:39 AM
- 0 +

Didn't know that. I'll have to give that go! Thanks for that info. :D

Reply to TheCh0s3n1
Codesmith   02-13-2005 at 09:33:17 AM
- 0 +

Have you ever been able to boot from any CD on that computer?

Some older systems just don't boot from CD. Just like some modern systems still won't let you boot from a USB device.

The corrupt discs are bothering me are you sure you are using good disks on a good floppy drive?

Are you sure your system is in 100% working order. I say this because sometimes people memory goes bad, they get a lot of errors and they think, time to reinstall the OS!

Reply to Codesmith
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows XP > Windows XP General Discussion > Windows 98 to XP HELP
Go to:

There are 611 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.757 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?