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Stupid compaq! can't install winxp! help!I think its dead!

G

guywithoutaclue

Senior member
help!

I'm installing windows xp professional on one of my lan computers, problem was that its a stupid compaq. I don't know what the deal is with these compaqs but it previously had windows98se on it, and so naturally I formatted that drive to make room for windows xp. So everything is going slick and I get the files copied, but after the initial formatting partitions and copying files I get a screen that says something to this effect

can't find nt*blah*rl " or something like that.

and so I try reinstalling windows xp again, but ofcourse nothing... so i try installing like 10 times to make sure but no luck. So can anyone help? I know I didn't leave much but I can't get beyond the first restart, like on other hand-maid computers the next step would be installing the xp files with that stupid screen talking about "new features". I don't even get that far...

And now I can't even install win98se back on it...


is it the compaq bios that prevents any upgrades in OS's?
any suggestions will do.

Thanks for time


its an old celeron 566
model 7585
with a 10 gb hd
 


<< is it the compaq bios that prevents any upgrades in OS's? >>



Can you even get to BIOS after formatting your partitions? Some Compaq models actually have BIOS on a 1% Non DOS partition. I'm not sure if this is one of those models.

What is your partitioning scheme like?

I'm guessing that the error you are getting is 'Can't find NTLDR' or 'NTLDR is missing' Sound familiar?
 
You may need to have Compaq service the PC and they will restore Windows 98 SE for you. [This probably means dropping it off at Radio Shack]. Also, Are you using WinXP Upgrade?

Also, I believe that some of the Bios is on the Hard Disk from what I've heard from others


is it the compaq bios that prevents any upgrades in OS's?

You can upgrade Compaq PCs' OS with Full editions being ideal, but upgrade editions have to be installed over the old OS. [Upgrade won't recognize the restore disk].
 
I assume you have multiple computers if you have a LAN. Take the hard drive out of the compaq and put it in another computer. Use that computer to Look for partitions and delete or formatt them all. That might do the trick.
 
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