xp r suxxor, won't install, need help

[Loco3KGT]

here's my current hard drive setup :

Disk /dev/hda: 255 heads, 63 sectors, 3649 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 1 1794 14410273+ 83 Linux
/dev/hda2 1795 1815 168682+ 5 Extended
/dev/hda3 * 1816 3648 14723572+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hda5 1795 1815 168651 82 Linux swap

Now, I installed Win2K, it installed fine.. did a reboot, right after the second "starting Windows" screen .. the somewhat colorful (maybe 256 colors?) screen... it just locks up.. never even gets to the login screen .. so a friend brought over XP (yea yea illegal just trying to figure out the problem) and when I boot with the CD in.. it says "Hit any key to boot from CD.." .. I hit the any key, and it says "Preparing for setup" or some crap.. then the screen goes blank and the CD stops reading and that's the end of the game.

So Win2K installs, but won't boot properly (unless in safe mode), and WinXP won't even install. Now, I have no idea how to ifgure out what the hell is happening because all I see are graphical screens.. I tried enabling a logged bootin in win2k but the log never gets created

Need I mention linux still works fine?

 

[Grommet5]

Have you tried formatting the hd, install winxp, then install linux? Also, when you try installing winxp, make sure your not connected to the internet, otherwise it calls home. i think.

 

[MentalAtrophy]

winxp does not call home unless you tell it to. that is, unless there's a newer version than what i have that does it regardless. however, it you dont tell it to, it wont be registered and will crap out on you, but it will fully install.

 

[Ludootje]

Then get rid of your windows, and use linux for 100%.

 

[nuttervm]

hello steve

are you sure the ram is good? i had a win2k box where it would crash randomly or not install at all. eventually i found out it was bad ram. i popped one of the chips out and it worked great. go to simmtester.com and use their utility off of a bootdisk in the burn in mode for a few hours to test the ram. thats one easy test i always do now when a system won't install.