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Can't boot from CD? Need help installing XP Full version please.

G

GratefullySaved

Senior member
Hi all,

I just got XP Pro full version and CANNOT get it to work. I've installed XP Home before as an upgrade from 98 SE, but then returned that to Costco as I want (and bought) XP Pro. But now that I've formatted the hard drive to make everything clean....I stick in the XP CD and reboot (BIOS is set to start up from CD first, HD second, floppy third) and all I can get is the C: prompt in DOS. Computer doesn't see the CD at all, and if I boot from a 98 SE startup disk with CD support, typing "setup.exe" gives me a repy of "cannot run application from DOS" (not verbatim but that's the gist of the message). The odd part is that prior to trying to install XP Pro and formatting drive, this computer USED TO boot from CD no problem. (sorry for the caps 🙂....don't know how to emphasize any other way)

What do I do to make the silly computer see that CD-ROM on startup? Computer is an Abit KT7a-RAID w/Athlon 1 Gig w/256 MBSDRAM, 40 Gig Maxtor HD, CD, Floppy all in an Antec case (Alienware lookin' one).

All help is welcome and desperately needed as this computer has been down for too long already and I really need it back up again. There are three people in this home business and that computer is the thrid workstation for surfing, e-mail, research, and scanning in designs and roughs. I really need it fixed. (pant pant - 🙂)

Thanks to all for any time they can give, and I really do appreciate any help that comes our way...

Sincerely,

GratefullySaved
 
Well, as long as you swear you bought it, just get the boot disks that Confused put out.

Maybe your CD drive is dead/dying, since retail XP is bootable and even an ancient 8X drive from the late 90's boots off CD. (Just tried it now as confirmation.)

- M4H
 
First thing I would check if this computer used to boot from a CD okay is your IDE cable. Sometimes they come a little loose or they can go bad. Check to ensure it is connected securely at both ends. If it is, try a different cable and see if that helps.

\Dan
 
I'm wondering where you're getting the C: prompt from.

Aside from that, I can offer a bit of help. "setup.exe" does not work in DOS. But that doens't mean you can't run setup from DOS.

In the i386 folder, run "Winnt.exe". That will start the DOS based setup for XP.

I have no idea why it wouldn't boot off of the CD. Does it say "press any key to boot from CD"?
 
Originally posted by: Sideswipe001
I'm wondering where you're getting the C: prompt from.

Aside from that, I can offer a bit of help. "setup.exe" does not work in DOS. But that doens't mean you can't run setup from DOS.

In the i386 folder, run "Winnt.exe". That will start the DOS based setup for XP.

I have no idea why it wouldn't boot off of the CD. Does it say "press any key to boot from CD"?
Click to expand...

I am thinking in the mobo Bios it is not set to boot from CD possibly or the CDRom drive has a problem.
 
either use boot disks or do this:

go into your BIOS > change bootup sequence to CDROM as the first device in the list

save settings and put in xp cd... do a restart... it should bootup from your cdrom now..


 
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