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Weird problem - Failure to boot to XP Pro CD

kd5

kd5

Member
I work on Windows-based computers for a living but I am baffled by this one. I'm trying to install a Dell copy of Windows XP Professional on a Dell Dimension L866R but this PC refuses to boot to the OS disc. I booted to that same disc on another computer and it boots just fine. I verified the boot sequence in the bios, I've tried 3 other CD/DVD drives, nothing seems to work. It will boot to a Windows 2000 Professional OS CD with no problem. I downloaded the XP Pro BootDisc file from M$, created the 6 floppy discs, booted from them, it gets to disc 3 and returns a "ACPI.sys is corrupted" error and will go no further. I've tested memory (512mb PC133), tests OK, tested hard drive (40gb WD), tests OK, mechanically this computer is fine but it absolutely refuses to let me boot to a genuine Dell XP Pro CD. I had 2kPro on it but I'd really like to put XP on it if I can. Unfortunately I don't have a Dell XP Home CD or I'd try that...🙁

Ideas? -kd5-
 
I've run across two Pentium 3-era motherboards, that were Dell, that absolutely refused to boot a Dell XP SP2 install/restore CD. Something about the Dell OS disk bootloader, and the BIOS on the machine. (Both machines did NOT ship with XP installed.)

I ended up having to boot from a WinME CD, install WinME, then from inside WinME, install XP as an upgrade. This will ask for the XP key, which normally doesn't happen when booting from a Dell XP CD. You need to have installed it on a "normal" PC first, then use Magic Jellybean to read out the XP key that it installs, and write that on the CD sleeve.
 
More weirdness. I just realized that I had a Gateway Windows XP Home OS CD buried in a pile of computer documentation in my parts room (working from home), tried that, it booted to it just fine. Since this is a Gateway OEM disc, I hope that I'm not asked for a key. Figured a Dell disc would be fine, I hope this Gateway disc works the same way. My only complaint will be a Gateway logo on the System Properties of a Dell computer, but I can live with that if I have to. -kd5-
 
Well, the Gateway XP Home install & activation went without a hitch. Validation has yet to be attempted. I hope everything goes well, 2kPro took way longer to load on this computer than I really felt comfortable with. I wish I could've figured out why this Dell computer refused to boot to the Dell XP Pro disc...😕 -kd5-
 
Activation kept popping up, I'd click on the icon in the taskbar, and it would then tell me Windows was already activated, and go away. Did this several times, then finally Activation wanted me to physically activate XP. Activation failed, called M$, the automated activation recording walked me through activation (I've had to do this before with success), ultimately it failed as well. So this copy of XP is not going to work on this computer and it won't boot to the Dell XP Pro CD, so it looks like I'm stuck with 2kPro...:colbert:

Wish I could figure out why this computer won't boot to the Dell XP Pro CD. -kd5-
 
kd5 said:
I work on Windows-based computers for a living but I am baffled by this one. I'm trying to install a Dell copy of Windows XP Professional on a Dell Dimension L866R but this PC refuses to boot to the OS disc. I booted to that same disc on another computer and it boots just fine. I verified the boot sequence in the bios, I've tried 3 other CD/DVD drives, nothing seems to work. It will boot to a Windows 2000 Professional OS CD with no problem. I downloaded the XP Pro BootDisc file from M$, created the 6 floppy discs, booted from them, it gets to disc 3 and returns a "ACPI.sys is corrupted" error and will go no further. I've tested memory (512mb PC133), tests OK, tested hard drive (40gb WD), tests OK, mechanically this computer is fine but it absolutely refuses to let me boot to a genuine Dell XP Pro CD. I had 2kPro on it but I'd really like to put XP on it if I can. Unfortunately I don't have a Dell XP Home CD or I'd try that...🙁

Ideas? -kd5-
Click to expand...

Ok, i'm a little lost on what you are trying to do exactly. One thing I have done in the past to get around CD based installs is to copy the i386 folder to the HDD and run Winnt.exe to launch setup, details are here.

Without going into further detail, you can also slipstream in any additional info, such as the OEM SLP key or the key from your COA and that should allow activation. Google for more details.

Just be sure this all complies with the proper licensing agreements on your end per the software and COA's you have.
 
Try this: (should get rid of activate request if it was already activated)

If its a valid LEGITIMATE key then again Microsoft are your best option to deal with this issue.

Try booting to SAFE mode first and see if you can get into windows that way. Once there then use REGEDIT to change the registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Change its value to zero "0" and then close regedit and re-boot the computer.

If that works I would suggest a strong antiviral scan AND anti spy-ware scan.

Also check and make sure the BIOS has not been tweaked with regards to memory settings as that can affect some installations.
 
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