Windows Help

RoSs_bg2_rox · 05-16-2004, 08:16 AM

Ok so I installed windows and as some of you probably know I probably had a corrupt instillation so I was advised to start from scratch. so anyway, I fired up Partition Magic 8.0 and formatted all partitions and also changed them all to NFTS, PM runs before startup, so after doing that I just restarted my computer and everything was formatted no problems, I then stuck my Win XP Dell disk image (Ok so it was from another computer but I cant justify a new copy of XP just for one install) major problem! It says invalid system disk, please instert disk and press any key, I tried pressing anykey (the disk was already in) but nothing happened! I tried restarting and the same thing happened, I then tried inserting my win 98 disk in and the same thing happened! So what the hell am I supposed to do? Is there a simple fix?Changing something in BIOS or something?

If not I have some more information. I have some win98 boot disks, so I stuck one of them in, that seemed to work and it asked me if I wanted cd rom support or no cd rom support, I have tried both. It tells you all this stuff about your computer and goes through this approx. 2minute process saying please wait while ..... Then you get to this screen where it just says A:\> Now I thought this would be my chance and so stuck my winxp disk in and typed F:\boot, that didnt work so I tried F:\Setup, F:\Run and a few other things that sprung to mind, none of them worked. So what do I do?

Thanks for any help

Ross

andrewas · 05-16-2004, 08:30 AM

You need to change the boot sequence in BIOS. Since failing to boot from a non-bootable CD can take about a minute, it is normaly only set to boot from CD when needed.

As for the win98 boot floppy, forget it. It should have put your CDROM somewhere, possibly under another letter. The winXP setup program is, IIRC, under the i386 folder, you should be able to use the dir command to find it. but it dosent matter, because M$ in their infinite wisdom made the installer a - get this - Windows Executable. Yes, you heard right, a windows installer that can only be run under windows. The winXP boot CD can provide that, the winXP boot floppies (a set of 6) can provide that, but your win98 boot floppies cannot. I can dig out the link to the winXP boot floppies if you cant get the CD working, let me know.

RoSs_bg2_rox · 05-16-2004, 09:23 AM

Ok, so how do I change the boot sequence? God sake, someone should sue! That is so stupid!

RoSs_bg2_rox · 05-16-2004, 09:43 AM

Took a look around in my BIOS and couldnt find anything to change the boot sequence.

RoSs_bg2_rox · 05-16-2004, 09:52 AM

Ok found it, and changed it, cheers man, it worked! So after I have installed xp do I just switch it back aye?

Bokken · 05-16-2004, 11:17 AM

I wouldn't switch it back. Set it to Floppy, CD Rom, Hard Drive by default in every comp I get myself. It should be that way from the beginnig under my opinion.

Animal · 05-16-2004, 01:23 PM

A Dell image disk on a non-Dell PC? That may be the majority of problems right there. XP may just be loading drivers for hardware that isn't there.

Larry_OHF · 05-16-2004, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Animal:
A Dell image disk on a non-Dell PC? That may be the majority of problems right there. XP may just be loading drivers for hardware that isn't there.

That is what I have heard of happening.

Felix The Assassin · 05-16-2004, 05:13 PM

Is this not exactly what we discussed the last time this Dell Win/XP cd came up.

RoSs_bg2_rox · 05-17-2004, 08:59 AM

well I havent had a chance to go on the net yet but we'l see what happens. Also there is a DELL folder created. What should I do? Is there a work around for this, and will it affect the way my computer runs?

05-16-2004, 08:16 AM	#1
RoSs_bg2_rox Zartan Join Date: May 20, 2003 Location: Near Aberdeen, Scotland Age: 34 Posts: 5,225	Ok so I installed windows and as some of you probably know I probably had a corrupt instillation so I was advised to start from scratch. so anyway, I fired up Partition Magic 8.0 and formatted all partitions and also changed them all to NFTS, PM runs before startup, so after doing that I just restarted my computer and everything was formatted no problems, I then stuck my Win XP Dell disk image (Ok so it was from another computer but I cant justify a new copy of XP just for one install) major problem! It says invalid system disk, please instert disk and press any key, I tried pressing anykey (the disk was already in) but nothing happened! I tried restarting and the same thing happened, I then tried inserting my win 98 disk in and the same thing happened! So what the hell am I supposed to do? Is there a simple fix?Changing something in BIOS or something? If not I have some more information. I have some win98 boot disks, so I stuck one of them in, that seemed to work and it asked me if I wanted cd rom support or no cd rom support, I have tried both. It tells you all this stuff about your computer and goes through this approx. 2minute process saying please wait while ..... Then you get to this screen where it just says A:\> Now I thought this would be my chance and so stuck my winxp disk in and typed F:\boot, that didnt work so I tried F:\Setup, F:\Run and a few other things that sprung to mind, none of them worked. So what do I do? Thanks for any help Ross __________________ [img]\"http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/ladyzekke/dragonwater2.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

05-16-2004, 08:30 AM	#2
andrewas Harper Join Date: October 2, 2001 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland Age: 42 Posts: 4,774	You need to change the boot sequence in BIOS. Since failing to boot from a non-bootable CD can take about a minute, it is normaly only set to boot from CD when needed. As for the win98 boot floppy, forget it. It should have put your CDROM somewhere, possibly under another letter. The winXP setup program is, IIRC, under the i386 folder, you should be able to use the dir command to find it. but it dosent matter, because M$ in their infinite wisdom made the installer a - get this - Windows Executable. Yes, you heard right, a windows installer that can only be run under windows. The winXP boot CD can provide that, the winXP boot floppies (a set of 6) can provide that, but your win98 boot floppies cannot. I can dig out the link to the winXP boot floppies if you cant get the CD working, let me know. __________________ [img]\"http://www.sighost.us/members/Zvijer/andrewas.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

05-16-2004, 09:23 AM	#3
RoSs_bg2_rox Zartan Join Date: May 20, 2003 Location: Near Aberdeen, Scotland Age: 34 Posts: 5,225	Ok, so how do I change the boot sequence? God sake, someone should sue! That is so stupid! __________________ [img]\"http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/ladyzekke/dragonwater2.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

05-16-2004, 09:43 AM	#4
RoSs_bg2_rox Zartan Join Date: May 20, 2003 Location: Near Aberdeen, Scotland Age: 34 Posts: 5,225	Took a look around in my BIOS and couldnt find anything to change the boot sequence. __________________ [img]\"http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/ladyzekke/dragonwater2.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

05-16-2004, 09:52 AM	#5
RoSs_bg2_rox Zartan Join Date: May 20, 2003 Location: Near Aberdeen, Scotland Age: 34 Posts: 5,225	Ok found it, and changed it, cheers man, it worked! So after I have installed xp do I just switch it back aye? __________________ [img]\"http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/ladyzekke/dragonwater2.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

05-16-2004, 11:17 AM	#6
Bokken Baaz Draconian Join Date: August 28, 2001 Location: Australia Age: 46 Posts: 708	I wouldn't switch it back. Set it to Floppy, CD Rom, Hard Drive by default in every comp I get myself. It should be that way from the beginnig under my opinion.

05-16-2004, 01:23 PM	#7
Animal Gold Dragon Join Date: March 29, 2002 Location: Canada Age: 51 Posts: 2,534	A Dell image disk on a non-Dell PC? That may be the majority of problems right there. XP may just be loading drivers for hardware that isn't there. __________________ It\'s all fun and games until somebody loses an eye...then it becomes a sport.<br /> [img]\"http://members.shaw.ca/mtholdings/bsmeter.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

05-16-2004, 05:13 PM	#9
Felix The Assassin The Dreadnoks Join Date: September 27, 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 61 Posts: 3,608	Is this not exactly what we discussed the last time this Dell Win/XP cd came up. __________________ The Lizzie Palmer Tribute Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. John F. Kennedy 35th President of The United States The Last Shot Honor The Fallen Jesus died for our sins, and American Soldiers died for our freedom. If you don't stand behind our Soldiers, please feel free to stand in front of them.

05-17-2004, 08:59 AM	#10
RoSs_bg2_rox Zartan Join Date: May 20, 2003 Location: Near Aberdeen, Scotland Age: 34 Posts: 5,225	well I havent had a chance to go on the net yet but we'l see what happens. Also there is a DELL folder created. What should I do? Is there a work around for this, and will it affect the way my computer runs? __________________ [img]\"http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/ladyzekke/dragonwater2.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

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