How can I re-install XP Pro on a machine that already has SP2?

[Stinkfinger]

I popped my XP Pro disc in the other day to re-install the OS, wipe the HD clean, and get a fresh start. The problem is is that when I pop in the disc and try to initiate the process XP tells me that I can't do it because the version on my pc is newer than the one on the disc. Is there a way to trick XP so that it will let me do what I want?

 

[spherrod]

couldn't you slipstream SP2 into an install CD?

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

 

[Stinkfinger]

I'm sure I could, but would that fix my problem? Will it let me re-install the same version that's already on there?

 

[spherrod]

well I've never tried but it should get round the issue of the XP install being newer - I assume you don't want to reformat the machine totally?

 

[Stinkfinger]

I do want to reformat. I need to do some repartitioning and whatnot, so I'm gonna wipe it clean.

 

[artemedes]

Are you in windows when your trying to start the install?

You should be able to do what you want by booting from the xp cd.

I would check out Autostreamer, and make your own slipstreamed sp2 disk, then start over with a formatted drive.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: artemedes
Are you in windows when your trying to start the install?

Yes he is.

OP, you need to boot to the XP CD, don't run the install from inside windows.

Also, I'd recommend using autostreamer to create an XPSP2 CDfrom the SP2 download and your XP CD.

 

[Stinkfinger]

Will Autostreamer do what the link that spherrod posted instructs me to do?

 

[Valkerie]

=Windows XP installation=
-boot system with WinXP CD
-erase all partitions (wipe clean)
-partition as you please
-install XP on a partition and reboot

=Windows XP Service Packs=
-install SP1 first
-install SP2 and update features through Microsoft

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: Stinkfinger
Will Autostreamer do what the link that spherrod posted instructs me to do?

Yes, autostreamer automates the slipstream process.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: Valkerie
=Windows XP installation=
-boot system with WinXP CD
-erase all partitions (wipe clean)
-partition as you please
-install XP on a partition and reboot

=Windows XP Service Packs=
-install SP1 first
-install SP2 and update features through Microsoft

No need for SP1 first. It's incorporated into SP2.

 

[oog]

if the installation says that it can't proceed because you have a newer OS already, doesn't that mean that you're trying to install an upgrade? if you have the full installation cd, it shouldn't matter what's on the drive to start with.

 

[Stinkfinger]

Alright, I slipstreamed sp2 onto an XP installation disc, but the damn thing won't initialize when I put it in the drive and boot my pc (I have the bios set to boot only from the cdrom drive). However, when I get into Windows and autoplay the newly made disc and choose to install it it lets me go ahead and do it now. My question is is if I choose 'advanced' from the installation menu, when my pc reboots to start installation, will the disc be recognized so installation can continue?

 

[Stinkfinger]

Bump!

 

[Guga]

The problem is that when you burn your compilation, that compilation is not bootable.

Check the url below.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

 

[Stinkfinger]

I basically did what you suggested, guga, but used Autostream. I extracted the image from the XP disc (although it had an odd name, not MicrosoftCorporation.img like you suggest. Also I think it was a .ima file, not .img. What do I do in this case? The .ima is the same size as the files shown in the screenshots in sperrod's post, its just a different name and extension) and burned it as per the instructions in spherrod's post. Nothing doing, it won't initailize during boot up.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Stinkfinger
I basically did what you suggested, guga, but used Autostream. I extracted the image from the XP disc (although it had an odd name, not MicrosoftCorporation.img like you suggest. Also I think it was a .ima file, not .img. What do I do in this case? The .ima is the same size as the files shown in the screenshots in sperrod's post, its just a different name and extension) and burned it as per the instructions in spherrod's post. Nothing doing, it won't initailize during boot up.

Did you use the right bootable CD settings in Nero (Text)? No emulation, 4 sectors?

 

[Stinkfinger]

Did you use the right bootable CD settings in Nero (Text)? No emulation, 4 sectors?

Yes, I followed these directions to the letter. All I really want to know is this: if I choose 'advanced' from the XP installation menu (in Windows), when my pc reboots to start installation, will the disc be recognized so installation can continue or will it fail to recognize the disc because its not bootable? I don't really care if the cd is bootable or not, I just want to wipe everything clean and start over, will I be able to do that without a bootable copy of XP?

 

[Stinkfinger]

Bump!

 

[Smilin]

Dude, just boot with your normal XP cd. (Boot with it, don't just pop it in when windows is running)
Reload Windows
Apply SP2
Done.

You're just getting that message because you're trying to start the install from within windows rather than outside of it by booting directly to the CD.

 

[Stinkfinger]

Smilin, if you would have read all the posts you would have seen that I've tried it and it doesn't work. It won't boot from the cd. I have to start it in Windows. So I ask again: if I choose 'advanced' from the XP installation menu (in Windows), when my pc reboots to start installation, will the disc be recognized so installation can continue or will it fail to recognize the disc because its not bootable?

 

[gil11542]

Is your cd drive the first boot device in the bios

 

[Guga]

enter your bios machine.

Check your device boot order.

Your cdrom MUST be first then the HDD.

if you follow those steps your cd must be bootable. Anyway you can ask someone else to test it on other pc.

 

[Stinkfinger]

I've tried everything, the cd is not bootable. I don't care if its bootable, so forget about that. What I want to know, and this is all I want to know, is: if I choose to start the installation from within Windows (this is the only way it will work for me) and choose the "advanced" option (which allows for reformatting/repartitioning), when my pc needs restarted to go ahead with the installation, will installation be able to continue if the cd isn't bootable?

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: Stinkfinger
I've tried everything, the cd is not bootable. I don't care if its bootable, so forget about that. What I want to know, and this is all I want to know, is: if I choose to start the installation from within Windows (this is the only way it will work for me) and choose the "advanced" option (which allows for reformatting/repartitioning), when my pc needs restarted to go ahead with the installation, will installation be able to continue if the cd isn't bootable?

I strongly recommend you get the CD bootable, and do things the "normal" way. I don't know where you messed up, but when I made the CD I didn't have to do anything special and it was bootable. I'm guessing you had a wonky setting in your burning software like MrChad suggests.