Very Basic Installing XP Question

[MrTBC]

Sorry if this is a really basic question.
I have a 2000 system that I want to upgrade to XP. I don't want to upgrade the OS or keep any data, I want to wipe 2000 and start over with XP.
So I choose to do a 'New Installation' when running the XP Setup Disk from Windows 2000. When I get to the point of specifying the Partition to install XP on to in the XP Setup program I can't delete the existing partition that has 2000 on as that is where XP has put its setup files - and XP advises me not to install it onto a Partition that already contains an OS.

Any ideas? Thanks very much.

 

[bcastner]

See the section: "How to partition and format your hard disk by using the Windows XP Setup program" in MS KB:

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...port/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp&NoWebContent=1

What you are trying to do is completely doable.

 

[FaiTHLeSS]

Todo a clean install of XP.

1. Boot from the Windows XP CD dont even boot into windows.
2. Go through the option til you get to the 1 about partitions. Delete the existing partition and create a new one.
3. Format the drive in NTFS.
4. Setup will then copy the files it needs to your hd.
5. Just follow on screen instructions for the rest of the setup.

 

[bofhrevenge2]

Set your BIOS to boot from CD then restart and install that way, the reason that this happens is that you launched setup from Windows and this puts the setup files onto the C: drive by default so you cannot format C:

Either that or create some boot floppies and fdisk or format the drive.

Post back if you have a prob.

 

[MrTBC]

Thanks guys. I did try to boot from the CD-Drive (which should be possible because I can do this on the same make of PC with my Windows 2000 Setup CD) but it wouldn't work. I am using a Beta 120 day evaluation version of XP. I get a message saying that 'NTLDR could not be found' (so I assume it is trying to load the OS from the CD Drive).

 

[Tels]

Best bet (and I've done this time and time again) is to configure your PC to boot from CD-ROM and then boot directly from the XP install disc.

This will bypass your current installation completely, and although setup still technically copies files to your drive, it will not prevent you from deleting any partition you choose.

In fact I have never had a problem deleting any or all of the pre-existing partitions.

So I would conclude the issues you are experiencing arise from the fact you are starting setup from within Win2000.

Easy problem, easy fix!!

Hope this helps, and the best of luck to you.



Terry-Lee Blay
MCP, A+, Net+, Server+, APS, IBM Thinkpads/Portables
webwarrior@angelfire.com

 

[biglebowski]

boot up the pc with the win xp cd in and follow the on screen instructions

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

 

[gpalmer711]

If using the Cd to boot is not an option download the XP boot floppies from

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310994

They may or may not work with an evaluation version. If not contact microsoft.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[MrTBC]

Thanks Greg.

 

[MrTBC]

Unfortunately the setup disks from the Microsoft website didn't let me do this either - so it must be something to do with this evaluation version.

Thanks anyway everyone.

 

[Marcs41]

You know .. eval and betas are just what they say they are.
There is no support for it. Get the real thing.

Marc
[sub]If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
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[MrTBC]

Thanks. I have got hold of a proper XP Pro CD today and it is doing exactly what it should.
Sigh - only a day wasted yesterday ;-)