Windows Will Not Install (No Version!!)

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I had Vista and removed it. I cannot get Windows XP Home or Pro or
Windows 98 to install. I have eliminated pretty much everything,
removed all RAM except 1 chip, ran mem+ tests on each chip, made
bare-bones system with older Trident S3 video, 1 hard drive, etc.
When Windows starts to install, it gets to a point (varies a little)
and reboots. I finally got it running long enough to copy the Win 98
files to a directory on the HD and was able to install from there.
BUT, it seems like it is a CD problem (2 drives, have tried each by
themselves) because it reboots even when I try to copy the XP files to
the HD. The only way I got the Win98 done was to start copying A*.*,
then B*.*, etc. so I would have an easy place to restart the copy
after it reboots! It seemed to be OK after I removed both CD drives
but, of course, I can't get to my WinXP files that way! I have booted
with the 6 disk XP boot set, Windows 98 Boot, etc. Believe me, I have
tried EVERYTHING I can think of!! Right now, I have a second computer
and will install my HD in it as a secondary and format it, etc. and
Ghost it and see if that works. I really don't think it will (because
nothing else has!!)!!! I have exhaustively searched EVERY forum I can
find and none of the suggestions have solved my problem. Most point
to the RAM but mem tests show both sticks to be OK. I have a brand
new case so I don't think it is the power supply, either.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: 2 SATA drives and 1 IDE drive Not Recognized
    ... I tried to install the motherboard driver utility from the original CD- ... ROM within Windows. ... LifeGuard to find out if it sees the drives. ... Then just update the drivers if newer versions are available on the web site ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: 2 SATA drives and 1 IDE drive Not Recognized
    ... I tried to install the motherboard driver utility from the original CD- ... ROM within Windows. ... LifeGuard to find out if it sees the drives. ... Then just update the drivers if newer versions are available on the web site ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: 2 SATA drives and 1 IDE drive Not Recognized
    ... I tried to install the motherboard driver utility from the original CD- ... ROM within Windows. ... LifeGuard to find out if it sees the drives. ... Then just update the drivers if newer versions are available on the web site ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Can Only Boot with Boot CD in Drive
    ... install are pointing to the wrong drive, because when you installed the 2nd Windows, THAT became the C: ... When I insert the Recovery disk to re-install windows, it always refers to my drives backwards ... ... Place the drive on which you want to install Windows at the Master position on the Primary IDE controller. ... When you say "Place the drive on which you want to install Windows at the Master position on the Primary IDE controller", I'm not really sure I know how to do that. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Can Only Boot with Boot CD in Drive
    ... The boot files remained there when you reinstalled to the wrong drive. ... are pointing to the wrong drive, because when you installed the 2nd Windows, THAT became the C: ... When I insert the Recovery disk to re-install windows, it always refers to my drives backwards ... ... Keep the other driveOUT of the machine until you have Windows installed properly and up and running, these other drives can be brought online after you install Windows. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)