Big problem, can't install an OS!

[thefish8]

I posted messages about 2 weeks ago about my computer not installing an OS and I am still getting the problem even though I got a new hard drive. I tried installing 98 and XP. 98 kicked me back out to DOS when it was initializing installation. XP gave me an error saying could not load a setup.sys file (and "Error code 7"). I am stuck where I have been but I know for sure that the problem isn't with the hard drive. I don't know what other part is messed up or what I can do. Please if you have any ideas or suggestions or information on which part is the problem I would be grateful. Thanks.

 

[thefish8]

I forgot to mention my computer:

AMD Athlon XP 1800
MSI K7T pro-RU mobo
20 gig WD Hard Drive
MSI geforce2 mx vid card
256mb DDRAM
Toshiba DVD
TDK 16x Burner

 

[thefish8]

Bump...

 

[DaiShan]

is your cd scratched up? also have you tried the disk in both drives (cd rw and dvd?

 

[thefish8]

I tried an XP disk and a 98 disk and I am pretty sure neitehr of them are scratched. I don't think the ROM drives are the problem either, I have tried both. thanks though.

 

[KingCheeba]

Try changing your ide cables. Also, make sure that after fiddling around the innards of your computer, that everything is nice n snug.

Good luck!

 

[mcw82]

At what point in the OS install process are you having problems? Is it from the very beginning, the text mode installation process, or after you've copied all the files and continued into the GUI install process?

 

[thefish8]

I am having the problem at the very beginning before the files are even copied from the cd to set up installation.

 

[Skibby9]

I haven't done a fresh install of WinXP, but I have plenty of experience with windows 95, 98, and 2000.
Here's what I do:
1. Boot using the CD Rom God, and select a driver that word for your cd device(s). CDRom God has the DOS tools you'll need, and will let you use your cd devices.
2. Fdisk and reboot, if necessary. Format c: (see if you can use the "/q" argument--- much faster that way. I never have been able after using fdisk, tho'). Crack open a cold one while you wait.
3. type "mkdir c:\win98" or for win2k and prob XP, "mkdir c:\i386"
4. type "copy d:\win98\*.* c:\win98\*.*", replacing "d" with the letter the the cd drive with the windows disk in it, and "win98" with "i386" for nt4.0, 2000, and (probably) XP. Continue, or open another as required, to enjoy a cold beverage while you wait.
5. type "c:\win98\setup", or "c:\i386\setup", and let 'er rip. For the NT variants, it may be "winnt" rather than "setup". Been a long time since I've had to reinstall windows 2000. It's that good.

Pros:
Never have to "insert Windows (whatever) CD-Rom" when installing hardware or windows components again.
Fairly fast and foolproof install method. (Faster than failing using other methods, anyways, and ALWAYS works)

Cons:
Takes up extra space on your hard disk (couple hundred megabytes).
Could be slower if you are the man at reinstalling windows from the cd

One possible show-stopper--- When I did a fresh intall of Win2000 on a new ATA100 Hard drive on the Promise Raid controller channel on my motherboard, I had to change the drive to the non-ATA-100 channel to make it work. No matter what I did, I could not install the "3rd party SCSI/Raid controller drivers" at the beginning of setup. No biggie, but could throw a wrench in the works for others.