Installing 2000---"Cannot run setup in DOS format" 2

[jennuhw]

I am trying to install Windows 2000 on a newly formatted drive. Are you not able to boot from a floppy and run setup off of the cd? I keep getting the error "Cannot run setup in DOS format." Is there a work-around or am I doing something wrong? I have installed 98 and NT on many, many machines, so I do know what I am doing. I just never tried to install 2000 on a clean drive. I have always done upgrades. Thanks in advance!

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

I forgot which option it is but you must make Windows2000 setup disks (if you can't boot from the CD). Type SETUP /? that should show all the options.

Otherwise, if it is a new machine, you should be able to boot from the CD-ROM, look in your BIOS on how to do that. (Assuming you have a legal copy of Win2k that is ;-) ) Please let us (Tek-Tips members) know if the solutions I provide are helpful to you. Not only do my posts help you but they may help others.

Mike Wills
IT Corporate Support
RPG Programmer
koldark@koldark.net

 

[butchrecon]

In the BIOS you can set up the BOOT order so you boot off of the CD first. Using a DOS/Win98 boot disk will not let you to install Win2K. If possible boot from the CD. If not possible you can create the Win2K boot Floppies (4 of them) by going to the CD (on a Win98 or NT or Win2K machine) and go to \BOOTDISK and running the MAKEBOOT.exe file. Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.


James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[jennuhw]

I have tried to boot off of the cd already, but it tells me that to insert bootable media device or something like that. Hypothetically speaking, if it isn't an original cd, can you still boot from it?

 

[butchrecon]

Yep. But just go ahead and create the boot floppies. This should help you out a bit. Let us know if you need help. Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.


James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

You should be able to still boot off a copied CD. I can. (My origonal is in a safe place. ;-) ) However, I would make the boot disks, it would be much easier. Please let us (Tek-Tips members) know if the solutions I provide are helpful to you. Not only do my posts help you but they may help others.

Mike Wills
IT Corporate Support
RPG Programmer
koldark@koldark.net

 

[turgon]

Just boot up with a MS-DOS or windows boot disk with CD-ROM support enabled.

At the prompt, type: "d:\i386\winnt.exe" where d: is the letter of your CD-ROM drive. The setup process should start at this point. If you don't have smartdrive enabled, though, it's going to take a loooong time to copy all the files (about 1h, 1 1/2h)

t

 

[jennuhw]

I haven't had a chance yet to test the install again because a dog decided to chew up the power cord to the laptop and now the battery is dead! LOL So, when I get a chance, I will let you guys know what happens. I was trying to start the install with d:\setup.exe.

 

[butchrecon]

That wont work. You will need to EITHER boot from the floppies or you can try turgons Idea. They both will work. Windows 2000 does not use a setup.exe. winnt.exe will work though. You just need to get to the \i386 folder as stated before. Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.


James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[micstan]

You need to make the 4 Windows 2000 boot disks. To do this search your windows 2000 CD for a file called makeboot.exe. When you find this program run it and it will create your boot disks for you. Then you can boot your machine from the floppies and you should be able to run your setup.

Hope this helps

 

[Gremlin256]

I guess you checked the bios to check for boot from CD and when you reboot you should a message saying Press any key to boot from CD... all win2k CD's does that if that does not work create the boot diskettes. best option is to fdisk the hard drive with no format so that system will boot from the CD . Hope that helps

 

[jennuhw]

I have tried to boot to the cd-rom, but when I choose to boot from the cd from the options, it said invalid system disk. I still haven't had a chance to try anything, yet, I am still waiting on a new power cord. ;-)