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format problem with XP

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whatamiat2   06-28-2007 at 09:51:09 PM

Hello,
Im trying to format my dads computer. I have the original XP Pro cd, I have set the bios to read from the CD drive first, the screen comes up asking to press any key to boot from the CD, i do it but it just goes to the login screen of windows. No blue and white setup screen comes up. Can someone tell me what Im doing wrong?
Many thanks, Stephen.

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badge   06-29-2007 at 12:49:13 AM
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Quote :

Hello,
Im trying to format my dads computer. I have the original XP Pro cd, I have set the bios to read from the CD drive first, the screen comes up asking to press any key to boot from the CD, i do it but it just goes to the login screen of windows. No blue and white setup screen comes up. Can someone tell me what Im doing wrong?
Many thanks, Stephen.



What brand of computer are you trying to format with an XP disk? I have had older Gateway computers need the system CD to reformat. The system would not reformat with an XP CD alone.

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g-paw   06-29-2007 at 01:10:35 AM
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A friend of mine has an older Dell and to boot from the Windows CD he has to press an F key, I think it's F12. Check out the computer manual for that particular machine. It's always possible the optical drive is bad. Have you tried a different one?

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NewbieTechGodII   06-29-2007 at 02:30:32 AM
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It sounds like your keyboard isn't being recognized. If the KB is USB, try using a regular PS2 adapter for it and go from there.

Your CD could also be messed-up (not very likely, but who knows). Try using a soft cloth and wipe it down (Gently).

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Zorg   06-29-2007 at 02:57:28 AM
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See if you can remove the HD from the boot choices in BIOS. Some can some can't

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whatamiat2   06-29-2007 at 10:57:58 AM
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I have a dell. I removed HD from from bios, all thats loading is cd. No luck. Im at work at d mo but ill try the F key when I go home. I dont think we have a system CD, anywhere to get one?

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tomwaddle   06-30-2007 at 11:13:38 PM
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I don't know if dell has the partition like HP for restoring the O/S, do they?

If it did come with a restore CD and you don't have it, you MIGHT be able to call Dell and get another one sent to you (might charge ya for it).

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