Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage (
More info?)
In the BIOS you need to look for the option to set up the boot sequence and
place the CD-ROM first in line in the boot sequence. Are you sure it is not
recognizing your CD-ROM? When you see the system first boot, do you see a
reference on the first screen to your CD-ROM drive? If yes, the system is
recognizing your CD-ROM drive. A few screens past that you should see a
message that tells you if you wish to boot from the CD you must press any
key, you usually have about ten seconds in which to do this. If you miss
the message, the system will not automatically boot from the CD, it will
continue on if it can or just stop at the next screen with a message to the
effect there is no bootable drive.
You should also realize, using a standard retail version of XP or a
non-customized OEM version, there is no need to wipe the drive nor should
you since all of this can and should be done during XP setup.
That said, if the system in fact is not seeing your CD-ROM drive, while
there are XP floppies available for download for systems that are unable to
boot from the CD-ROM, it only initializes setup, at some point, it will ask
you to place the XP CD in the CD-ROM drive to continue and if your system
cannot see the drive, it won't continue. If that happens, I can only
suggest contacting Compaq tech support as this would no longer be a Windows
issue and there would be no other XP option available.
Here are the links for the XP setup boot floppies:
XP Home
Edition-http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?releaseid=33290
XP Pro-http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?releaseid=33291
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"kevin graves" <kevin graves@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3A0E6698-D774-4A66-A6CB-9F73A74F4E7F@microsoft.com...
> Michael,
>
> I wiped my drive and tried to re-install XP but now my Compaq 7478
> Presario
> will not recognize my CD Rom or DVD drive so I cannot install XP. I've
> tried
> to get into BIOS but have no options there re; the cd drive. How do I
> install
> XP ? Is there a driver I can install from a floppy? All I have is a W98
> boot
> disk. I hate to scrap this computer. I just want to use it to run
> Winfax.....Kevin
>
> "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/Us" wrote:
>
>> Then your only option is to use whatever recovery procedure the
>> manufacturer
>> provided for you. Even though they didn't provide you with a CD, they
>> are
>> required to provide you with some means of restoring your setup to the
>> condition it was when purchased new, check your documentation or call the
>> manufacturer's tech support for information on how to do this but note,
>> such
>> procedure's usually start by first wiping your drive so you will lose all
>> information currently on the drive unless you are backed up.
>>
>> --
>> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>>
>> "jarv" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:2ef601c48ec6$14db1f30$a601280a@phx.gbl...
>> > after restarting my computer has come up with the message
>> > cannot open file c:\windows\system32\config\system file
>> > is missing or corrupt. all remedies refer to a windows
>> > setup disk but i have no windows software other than
>> > whats on my hard drive, how do i fix this!
>>
>>
>>
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