HELP! I can't get Windows XP to boot into setup off cd.

Skooter

Member
Jan 31, 2000
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I cannot seem to get windows xp pro to boot off the cd into setup so that I can reformat. I have configured my bios to boot off the cd drive first, hard drive second, and ensured that my "boot other device" setting is in fact enabled. I put the cd in the drive, reboot, the "Boot CD" text will briefly appear at the bottom of the screen while booting, but then the Windows XP loading screen pops up and it boots straight into windows.

I've reformated plenty of computers, but I've never had to deal with this problem. I'm stumped. Thanks in advance
 
Feb 4, 2005
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usually I have to disable everything in the BIOS other than that CD drive as the first boot device, when the 'boot from cd' pops up during post, I'm supposed to 'hit any key' quickly, otherwise it goes to desktop...
 

Skooter

Member
Jan 31, 2000
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0
61
1. I didn't know there were non-bootable windows xp cd's...

2. I tried disabling everything but the CD-Rom drive for boot in the BIOS...same result.

3. I tried hitting enter very quickly when the "Boot CD" text showed up at the bottom of the page to no avail.

Any other ideas? This is really driving me nuts. Thanks for the suggestions so far.
 

Skooter

Member
Jan 31, 2000
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0
61
I don't even have a floppy drive in my computer. I suppose I'll go steal one out of another comp.

I didn't have to use floppies when I initially installed WinXP...why should I have to now?
 

stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
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Try disconnecting the hard drive temporarily to see if you can get the CD to boot that way..
 

w33bo

Senior member
Jan 4, 2004
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i am having the same problem, disconnecting the hard gets the first line on the xp (mce in my case) install, but then the screen goes completely black
 

w33bo

Senior member
Jan 4, 2004
208
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i downloaded that floppy creator and have 6 floppies in front of me but all that happens when i run the program is i insert a floppy and nothing happens...if i click on a button to try and do something the command window just closes, i cant type more than 1 or 2 letters/numbers before it disappears....its not working unless i am doing somehting wrong