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Clean Install XP

https://pctechforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3219

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Clean Install XP

PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 2:35 pm
by kayber76
I'm new but maybe you guys can help me. I've done clean installs all the time but for some reason on this other PC I have I can't seem to get it working.

I'm having some issues reinstalling windows to it's factory setting. My computer was basically all messed up and I had to reformat my C: drive. Now I'm trying to reinstall windows but I can't seem to get it to work let me tell you how I did it. I've done this many times but this time I'm not seeming to get it to work.

1. deleted all partitions
2. format c
3. Create the partition for drive c
4. boot back up without a boot disk it says "Can't find operating system".
5. I use boot disk to get access to the CD ROM and then it says "Can't install this program in dos mode." when i try to run windows set up.

I've always installed windows this way on my other PC but this one seems to not accept it.

PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 2:54 pm
by Geekgirl
Hey kayber76 Image

I believe you need to boot from the XP cd.
Read for directions on how to Perform a Clean Install of Winows XP

PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:11 pm
by kayber76
Ah that's what it sounds like its' doing its booting off the hard drive and not the CD..thanks so much :)

PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:17 pm
by Geekgirl
Hey kayber76 Image



You may need to go in to the Bios and change your boot sequence to boot from the cd-rom first instead of the h.d.d.

PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:23 pm
by kayber76
Yeah I'm pretty sure that's what the PC is doing booting from the C drive because when I remove the boot disk. It tells me the PC has no operating system. So it's reading drive C when it starts. I'm just worried what happens if the BIOS don't let me boot from the CDROM? DOS wont' let me run Windows from the CDROM even if I can access it via the boot disk.

I'll read the article a bit more.

Never ran into this ..lol

PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:29 pm
by Geekgirl
I don't think Xp reads MS-DOS :| it more or less reads from a command prompt

PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:55 pm
by kayber76
Hmm yeah that makes sense, when I did the clean install on my other machine it just started right up off the CDROM. Maybe it was preset in my BIOS for that, this one isn't...

Thanks again...

PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 2:06 am
by Mission
Hmmm interesting problemo. Im having the same problem, but its not as bad for me cause Im trying to get a split Linux FC2 and XP on the same system since im on linux now. Check if your CD ROM drive had a device driver, which can usually be booted off of DOS. But as everyone was saying, check the boot sequence. You can change it in the BIOS under CMOS or sometimes your MOBO has a temporary one. Hope taht helps!

Take care kayber!