booting problem

[vino10]

Hello,
guys help me about my booting problem, i am using a windows xp pro. i cant boot it it requires my CD installer to continue installing. i put the cd then i follow the step by step procedure but it prompted me to boot in dos mode then after booting in dos mode i cannot access my drive c, although it creates a C ramdrive, i dont want to format my hardisk. is there a way to retreive my files or re-installing without putting my hardisk into another PC?

Thanks in advance

 

[wolluf]

Bit confusing post.

If you want to repair an existing installation of XP (keeping files, settins, apps intact) -

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341.

You may need to reinstall SP1 & you will need to
visit windows updates to reinstall patches.

All you need to do to clean install XP is boot from the install CD (you need to make suret he bios is set to boot from CD device first to do this). Select the new install of XP option when prompted, and you will eventually reach screen where it will ask you where you want to install. Use the tools here to remove any existing partition and create/format new one - then just follow the instructions.

(this will wipe the hard drive - if you need any of the files, you will need to retrieve them first).

alternatively, you can just select the existing partition, and install to a folder other than \windows. This will create a parallel installation which would give you access to your files (but all the apps won't work).

If there is a problem with the install after this - it probably means you have a hardware problem.

 

[vino10]

hi wolluf,

Thanks sorry for the confusing question but i see your point, yes i can reinstall XP but the problem is i dont have a copy of what XP that iinstalled in my PC actually its a LAPTOP, i dont need to recover my files anymore i just want to format it, how can i format it in DOS Mode because i cannot log to the XP itself, i would like to format it again the problem is that every time a boot in dos theres no other drive like (C) drive or (D) drive its just only (A) prompt regonise it.

 

[linney]

Mind if I join in the confusion?

Have you got a retail XP CD or some sort of OEM recovery CD?
Is any CD you have, the same CD that was used to originally install your XP?

What are you doing in DOS, how did you end up there?

Can your laptop boot from a CD? Is it configured in the Bios to boot from CD ahead of the hard drive? Does it have a floppy drive?

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


For more help (shows enlargeable screenshots) go here.

http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/InstallXPPro/installxppro1.htm

307848 - HOW TO: Start Setup from MS-DOS in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307848&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

315261 - The computer does not start after you change the active partition by using the Disk Management tool

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315261&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[vino10]

hello Guys,
I dont have the XP Installer that been installed in my laptop, but i can get a retail one, i dont know what happen it's just when booting the Laptop it required me a Bootable disk in the CD Rom Drive so i dont have any XP CD at that time i put a Windows ME installer then it ask me to 1)help 2)boot w/ CD-rom support 3) boot w/out CD rom support 4) minimal boot.

---when i try the to boot in a floppy disk drive it doesnt recognise the hard drive (C prompt) and CD-rom drive (D promopt) how can i go to the bios? what key should i press? i try F8 key and Delete key it doesnt work.

-- when i try to boot in option2(boot w/ cd-rom support) it creates a MS-Ramdrive C prompt so i still dont have the acces of my Hard drive (C Prompt) what do you think guys should i do?

-- when i try to boot in option3(boot w/out cd-rom support) it doesnt also recognise the hard drive (C prompt) and CD-rom drive (D promopt).

--i cannot try the option1(Help) because its for Windows ME installation only

hope you can understand my Questions?


thanks for understanding the confusion

 

[linney]

If you want to install XP it helps to have a XP CD.

What file system is your hard drive? DOS requires FAT32 file system. If you are trying to install ME that too requires a FAT32 system.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;255867&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

255867 - How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or Repartition a Hard Disk

Read the section "How to Partition and Format a Master Hard Disk".

Start up disk can be obtained from here.

http://www.bootdisk.com

To enter your Bios see if there are any instructions displayed on your monitor on the first booting screen, it will usually say something like press DEL or F1 to enter Setup or Bios.

Common BIOS Entry Methods and Settings.

http://www.image-land.com/BIOS.htm

If you are trying to install XP, get a XP CD and follow instructions from earlier posts.

 

[vino10]

hi,

thanks for the help guys, i dont know why my laptop doesnt display instruction how to enter in the bios.