Home-Build PC. Need OS Install Help

[crockman]

This is My Very First Build' so I a-bit overwhelmed

I've put together this PC from Used Parts. All the Parts were very cheap so Hardware-Problems may be at fault ???

I chose to Buy cheaper (outdated) parts so if I screw-up i wont be wasting a lot of Dollars$ on this 'Learning' Experience.

To fill you in: Mobo-Asus A7V8X-X, Athlon 1.333gig (266fsb), 512MB DDR400, WD20g HD, Gainward GF3 64MB Ti200 "Golden Sample" AGP Card, LiteOn CDRW, Samsung DVDRom, Floppy Drive

The Computer Starts & I can get into BIOS. (I Do hear 1-Beep)

I then, in BIOS, set the PC to Boot first from the DVDRom (CDRW is not yet connected).

I inserted my XP-Pro Sp2 CD & Rebooted.

I easily got to the point where it asks "If you want to set up Windows hit enter"

I chose to Format the Entire 20gig HD in 1-partition using the NTFS (Not the Quick Format)

The PC Formats the HD Etc, Etc, Etc.

I keep getting to the point, When All the Files are Done being Copied you get the message "The Computer will restart in 15 seconds"

When the PC restarts the Windows installation does not continue.

If I start the PC; Booting with the XP-Pro CD, the 20gig Partition is now there, but theres No way to get the HDD to Boot

My XP-Pro CD is a "Dell Reinstallation CD". This CD is known to work on Non-Dell systems. Maybe it doesn't work on My particular Set-up, dunno ??? Or Maybe MY HDD is Bad ???

I also have a Brand New Windows 98SE (for PCs' without Windows). But I do Not know how to install 98SE, I only have experience installing XP.

I'd rather install the XP-Pro, but if I can't, Can anybody Help install the 98SE ???

I've already been to bootdisk.com & Downloaded a Windows ME Bootdisk. But i don't know if i loaded it onto the Floppy properly. I've tried booting this Homebuild from the ME-Bootdisk, I then get the Message " Remove Disks, or other Media" "Hit ant key to restart". Nothing Happens.

So Basically I'm Lost, Can anyone Help

Thanks

 

[Slowlearner]

Dell CDs are meant for Dell systems so they may or may not work, plus you may have problems activating XP even if it installs. Now Windows 98 SE looks like a better option. The safest way to install it is by using a boot disk + CD. You may download from www.bootdisk.com or get one from some one running Win98 on their PC, use that floppy.

You will need to get into the Bios first and change the boot order so that your PC boots first from the floppy or CD. If you have the mb manual (or get it from Asus website) it should have plenty of info on the bios screens.

 

[rmrf]

is there a reason you are installing windows? just to see if the computer works?

give a flavor of linux a try and see how you like it. otherwise, what Slowlearner said.

 

[crockman]

Dell CDs are meant for Dell systems so they may or may not work, plus you may have problems activating XP even if it installs

Thanks for the Reply. That's the exact train of thought I had when I bought the 'Pro' CD for $55. It was such a Good price, but I wasn't sure if it would work on a Non-Dell PC

You may download from www.bootdisk.com or get one from some one running Win98 on their PC, use that floppy.

Thanks, I tried Downloading a Bootdisk from Bootdisk.com. But the Floppy didn't work. It didn't boot so i could FDisk the HDD. Maybe I just don't know how to properly make a Floppy. Also, now that you mention it, I just got an Older PC of mine running about 3 hours ago. It runs 98SE. How do I make the Needed Boot-Floppy ???

is there a reason you are installing windows? just to see if the computer works?

I'm building this PC for a Friend, for helping me do some Painting. I'm installing Windows because I know his son will be playing games on the PC. I've heard that Linux is difficult to play PC-Games on because of compatibility problems.

If you know of a Certain Linux persuasion that will play the recent PC-Games, what particular Linux are you suggesting ??? And How Much$ is it ???

Thanks to you both

 

[Slowlearner]

To make Win98 boot floppy: Start >> Settings>> Control Panel>>Add/Remove Programs >> Tab to Startup Disk>> Click on Create Disk

Once it is created, check whether it has all necessary files, include fdisk, format, scandisk etc.

You can also create from Win98 CD see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307848&sd=tech

 

[Fern]

If you're gonna put 98se on there, you'll need to reformat the HDD too. 98se doesn't work with NTFS. Use FAT32.

Fern

 

[crockman]

Originally posted by: Slowlearner
To make Win98 boot floppy: Start >> Settings>> Control Panel>>Add/Remove Programs >> Tab to Startup Disk>> Click on Create Disk

Once it is created, check whether it has all necessary files, include fdisk, format, scandisk etc.

You can also create from Win98 CD see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307848&sd=tech

Thanks, I couldn't get bootdisk.coms' boot disk to work, maybe your ideas will.

If you're gonna put 98se on there, you'll need to reformat the HDD too. 98se doesn't work with NTFS. Use FAT32

Thanks, I did know that NTFS wouldn't work with 98SE. I'll use FAT32 for 98SE, or NTFS for XP

Thanks