Can't install an OS. Never seen this problem before.

[thefish8]

I get an error that says "error loading DMBOOT.SYS" when I try and install XP. I get this at the blue screen when it is checking my computers hardware. I tried installing 98 and it dies when it is copying files needed to install windows and it doesn't give me any error. I am lost as to what to do.

I did a complete scandisk and it showed no errors. I ran the Data Lifeguard Diagnostics program with my hard drive to completely clear out the drive. I ran fdisk and formatted my computer. I tried both of my CD ROM drives. I tried fdisk/mbr and that didn't do anything.

I have no idea how to resolve this error, and I have no idea if it is a hardware issue and if it is with what part. I originally had my computer with dual boot of 98 and XP and it worked fine. It crashed like last week and well here I am.

My System
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

Please, Please give me advice. Thanks to anyone who helps.

 

[iamwiz82]

i had the exact same type of thing happen to me once. I tried installing win2k, and it died on install, as did win98se and win98. I finally figured out that it was a bad stick of RAM. Try downloading a ram dianogstic program and run that.

 

[thefish8]

So you think the RAM is no good? Do you know where I can get this RAM diagnostic program from? Do you think I should try another stick of SDRAM from another computer I have? Thanks, this is the best peice of information I have had yet!

 

[iamwiz82]

here is the one i use. It works wonders. It will take 5 hours to do a complete test, though.

Also, remember that once you run the install and create a floppy for it, you won't be able to read the floppy, so label it else you'll lose it

 

[Basie]

Let me know if that was bad ram. But did you try removing and creating new partitions?

 

[AKA]

Might try going into your BIOS and restoring defaults and making sure virus protection isnt enabled. Usually disabled by default.

And might as well post suggestions for others who might pop in and are interested.

Suggestions to installing a fresh copy of Win9x.

1. Enter BIOS setup and restore defaults, then set appropriate boot sequence and disable Virus Protection.
2. Boot off the startup disk and type in fdisk /mbr
3. Launch fdisk and create partitions. Restart
4. Boot off the startup disk again and then format your active primary partition and OS partition. (Format c
5. Run thorough scandisk on hard drive (scandisk c: /surface)
6. Sys the primary partition (Sys c and then copy the contents of startup disk to C:\
7. Restart. Make directory (MD Win9xcabs) and copy the cab files from Win9x disc into the new directory
8. Run setup from the Win9xcabs directory

Suggestion #1, Virus Protection needs to be disabled so that Win9x can write to your boot sector.

Suggestion #4, Any other partitions you create can be formatted from you OS instead of DOS.. alot faster.

Suggestion #5, I only run thorough scandisk on used or old hard drives

Suggestion #6, This will make the hard drive bootable plus load cdrom support (using my startup disk), and give you cdrom support if you ever Restart in MSDOS mode. Not really important anymore.

Suggestion #7, Installing from the cabs directory on hard drive will make for an easier install, plus your registry will point to that directory anytime you ever need the Win9x files again... never have to put in cd again.



Contents of Startup Disk, the files under [DOS] means those are files in a DOS folder on the disk:

AUTOEXEC.BAT
COMMAND.COM
CONFIG.SYS
DRVSPACE.BIN
EBD.SYS
HIMEM.SYS
IO.SYS
MSDOS.SYS
OAKCDROM.SYS

[DOS]
ATTRIB.EXE
CHKDSK.EXE
DEBUG.EXE
EDIT.COM
EXT.EXE
EXTRACT.EXE
FDISK.EXE
FORMAT.COM
MSCDEX.EXE
RESTART.COM
SCANDISK.EXE
SMARTDRV.EXE
SYS.COM

Whats in Autoexec.bat & Config.sys:

Autoexec.bat:

@ECHO OFF
PATH=DOS
SMARTDRV.EXE
MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001


Config.sys:

FILES=200
BUFFERS=30
DEVICE=HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH,UMB
STACKS=9,256
DEVICE=OAKCDROM.SYS /D:MSCD001
LASTDRIVE=Z


Let me know if anyone wants an image of this startup disk. I also have a very customized WinME startup disk with options like Load cdrom support without Ram Drive, Ram drive only, Cdrom support & ramdrive and Quick Boot.

 

[tippmann]

I had similar problems with a clean install and it turned out to be a bad cd drive?