Re: Unable to install Operating System

Okay, I just got done making a small partition, 30GB, and formatting it as a
FAT32. I then loaded up XP and rebooted. This time, the message I got was:
"Disk error"
"Press any key to restart"

Does this ring any bells with anybody?

DustyB

"DustyB" <pc_phixer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:uDm4xPvPFHA.3076@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> "Darrell S" <dumbwid@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:EOx6e.3774$lv1.485@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Press any key when that "Press any key to boot from CD..." comes up.
You
> > want to boot from your system CD while you install XP Pro. This is NOT
> > asking you how you want to boot AFTER you've installed your system. You
> > can't boot from the hard drive if it's only formatted but still blank
> until
> > you install XP.
> Yes. That is true. But only the first time you get to this point. First
> time through, it asks you for partition selection, and if created, permits
> you to format it. Then it loads Windows on it, and when that's done it
> reboots, asking you that same question again.
>
> Since the OS should now be loaded, you DON'T click on any key, and it
passes
> the CD and goes to the next item in the boot list. If that's empty as
well,
> goes to the HD and attempts to boot up Windows. And **THAT** is were I
get
> to before I see:
> "A Disk Read Error Occurred
> Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart"
>
> And that's where I continue to be today. To summarize again, I've:
> * Thoroughly tested the Disc, Memory, Video, and Processor sub-systems.
> * Upgraded my Dell Dimension 8100 BIOS to XP2 (A09+1) from A06--which,
BTW,
> was running my XP box just fine, thank you.
> * Used the RC (Recovery Console) to "fix" the boot sector
> * Used the RC to "replace" the boot sector
> * Used the RC to run read and write files, run CHKDSK, FORMAT, & others
> * Used the RC to check & see that every file that s/b there, was
> * Replaced the HDD with a brand new, off-the-shelf item
> * Replaced the XP Pro boot CD with a brand new, off-the-shelf item
> * Tried to load Win2K Pro and WinNT
> * Disabled all of the integrated devices, except the mouse & keyboard
ports
> * Replace the video card with a simple, VGA card that doesn't require
> anything
> * Arranged the boot order in every combination possible
> * Sized and formatted partitions in various allocations
> * blanked the disc and tried from there
>
> The only thing I haven't tried yet was to format in FAT; and that'll begin
> right after this post goes out...
>
> Later all,
> DustyB
>
>
> > Darrell R. Schmidt
> > B-58 Hustler History: http://members.cox.net/dschmidt1/
> > -
> >
> > "DustyB" <pc_phixer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > news:%23OARG5fPFHA.1884@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Okay, this is a continuation of a post under another subject line. I
> did
> > > this to limit "subject creep"...
> > >
> > > I'm trying to install a fresh copy of XP Pro. After the format, it
goes
> > > through the installation of Windows, and gets to the, "Remove any
disks
> in
> > > drive A:", and reboot.
> > >
> > > It goes through the boot up process, gets to the "Press any key to
boot
> > > from
> > > CD..." part. So, since I want it to boot from the HD, I leave it
alone,
> > > and
> > > it always fails with:
> > > "A disk read error occurred"
> > > "Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart"
> > >
> > > What I've done:
> > > Tested the memory w/standalone test - passed
> > > Tested the HD w/standalone DFT - passed
> > > Upgraded the BIOS to latest from Dell - XP2 (A09+1)
> > > Replace the HD with a new, fresh off the shelf item
> > > Purchased a new, shrink-wrapped XP Pro full installation package
> > > Replaced the CD reader
> > > Completely cleared the disk to all blank (RAW) and reformatted w/NTFS
> > >
> > > This same result began on an otherwise perfectly functioning system,
> while
> > > I
> > > was trying to clean up my disk, deleting things, housekeeping and so
on.
> > > I
> > > thought I'd blown some aspect of my XP installation, so I thought I'd
do
> a
> > > recovery. But everything I do gets the same result.
> > >
> > > This isn't the first OS I've installed, so unless I just got stupid
> > > overnight (always a possibility) I can't believe that I've left
> something
> > > out.
> > >
> > > That means that I'm flat outta ideas. Any help out there? Does
anybody
> > > have an inkling of something simple that I must have neglected to
> consider
> > > that's causing this kind of problem?
> > >
> > > Regards all,
> > > DustyB
> > > Dell Dimension 8100 at XP2 BIOS (flashed, was A06), 1/2 a 'G' of RAM,
> > > empty
> > > 80GB disk, XP Pro SP2 installation CD
> > >
> > > NB: While you're at it, can someone send me the name & address of the
> > > character at Microsoft, that PURPOSE designed a MICROSOFT keyboard so
> that
> > > it would come up BY DEFAULT in a function key mode THAT'S COMPLETELY
> > > USELESS
> > > at start-up? I want to invite all of the dogs in Redmond to take a
crap
> > > on
> > > his lawn!
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>


.

Relevant Pages

  • Boot.ini blues
    ... Still having problems trying to dual boot. ... partition so I set my hidden partition as active, booted from the CD, ... clicked to format the partition and proceeded to install a fresh copy of XP. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Boot.ini blues
    ... Still having problems trying to dual boot. ... partition so I set my hidden partition as active, booted from the CD, ... clicked to format the partition and proceeded to install a fresh copy of XP. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: MS Whistler Personal
    ... One thing for sure is that the partition on which you installed Windows is is way too small for an XP installation, you may as well delete the partition C: & F: and then create one large partition with the free space and format it NTFS. ... After you create and format the new partition exit the Windows setup program and reboot the computer and start the installation again and select to install XP on the new partition that you just formated earlier. ... The Windows XP CD is bootable so I don't know why it doesn't boot the computer, check that again and make sure you select the right boot order in the BIOS and then pay attention when the computer boots, you may have to press a key to boot the cd, you may see a message telling you to press a particular key to boot with the CD. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: MS Whistler Personal
    ... partition to the NTFS file format and install XP on it. ... C: & F: and then create one large partition with the free space and format ... select to install XP on the new partition that you just formated earlier. ... The Windows XP CD is bootable so I don't know why it doesn't boot the ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: microsoft xp unable to log on
    ... separate partition and try copying your data from your current setup to the ... Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, ... To Repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console press R. ... can delete, create and format partitions. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.accessibility)
Loading