Can't boot into Windows setup using CD

[Ike0069]

First let me say I've done this many times in the past, and yes I have the CD-ROM as first boot priority.

Here's what happened. I installed a new 160GB SATA drive into an older PC that had a single 80GB IDE drive installed. I booted into windows setup and that went fine. I was partitioning the 160 drive and noticed it only showed up as 131GB. Still not sure why that is, but that is the least of my concerns right now. I booted back in Windows on the 80GB drive and made sure the 160 was recognized (it was at 131 GB).

I then booted back into setup using the CD and was going to install Windows on the new HDD, but I started installing it on the wrong partition, so I ejected the CD and quit the installation. I planned to simply go back into setup and install it on the correct partition. But now it simply refuses to enter setup. I get the "press any key to boot from CD" message and I have mashed every key on the keyboard, and it still pauses and then boots from the HDD. I even set BIOS to only boot from the CD, disabling all others, but it still will not boot from the CD. The pc continues to work fine on the older HDD, but I have no idea how to get windows installed on this new drive now.

I've tried a different Windows CD and a different CD-ROM. It's like the keyboard is not recognizing any key being pushed, but I can enter BIOS and change options, so I can't see the keyboard being the problem. It is a USB keyboard if that matters.

Any ideas on what might cause this?

 

[mpilchfamily]

Try clearing the CMOS and see if that helps. As for the HDD partition size...

What version of Windows is it. If its XP pre SP2 then it has a limitation on how large a partition it can make. After SP 2 this limitation was removed.

 

[Ike0069]

Clearing CMOS did not work either.... This is extremely frustrating.

The CD is XP without any SP's. That is the CD that goes with that PC. I have a Win XP CD with SP2 on it, but its key is in use on the PC I'm using right now.

 

[RebateMonger]

If the BIOS is offering the option of booting to the CD, then everything sounds fine. It SHOULD be booting.

Disconnect the hard drive. At that point, the computer should automatically boot to the CD, since it's the only remainig boot disk. If that doesn't work, then the drive or drive cotroller or CD is defective.

Keep in mind that failing CD drives aren't uncommon. I've got a whole drawer full of them that have various flaws. Be sure that the replacement drive was in good condition.

 

[Old Hippie]

I was partitioning the 160 drive and noticed it only showed up as 131GB.

Probably because your install disk doesn't have any SP updates and the disk limit is 137GB.
If it were me, I'd use the updated install disk and insert the origional serial.

It is a USB keyboard if that matters.

I'd be trying a real PS/2 keyboard. I have a PS/2 KB and mouse for these situations but again, this may be related to the old install disk.

I'd remove the old drive and try to install with the updated disk and PS/2 KB.

 

[GaryJohnson]

The CD is XP without any SP's. That is the CD that goes with that PC.

Is this an OEM's restore disk or an actual MS XP disk?

 

[corkyg]

Like Old Hippie said - try a PS/2 keyboard. Sometimes the USB keyboard drivers are not yet loaded when that message pops up.

 

[RebateMonger]

In the meantime....
If your CD is a full Windows XP Install CD, it's time to slipstream it to at least SP2. Assuming you have access to a working computer with a CD burner, download and install NLite (http://nliteos.com), download XP Service Pack 2, and follow NLite's directions for slipstreaming a Service Pack.

 

[Ike0069]

Wow, I put a PS2 keyboard in and it worked. I then shut it down and tried the USB KB again just to see and it still does not work. I don't understand how the USB KB would get me into BIOS yet not be recognized when trying to boot from the CD. Very odd.

Anyways, I do have a full XP CD with SP2 on it, but its key is associated with the PC I'm on right now. Anyone know if it will let me use that CD (w/SP@2) for install while using the key from the other CD for activation? Or maybe I can format the CD using the newer CD and then put the old one in and load windows?