Windows XP Clean Install Problem

[draissam]

My home PC got infected with some spyware/virus and I want to do a windowsXP clean install after formatting the hard drive.
My pentium4, 512 memory, 40gb hard drive, has windows 2000 professional installed in it. I got a copy of Windows XP, put it in the CD drive, and restarted my PC. The computer was restarted as if no cd was inserted. So, I had to manually go to my E drive, and double click the winXP set up. I got a wizzard asking me what I wanted to do. I checked "clean install", and the computer rebooted, and started from the bios with a message asking me to insert the WinXP CD, and click enter. I insert the WinXP CD, hit enter, but nothing is hapenning. I don't know what's wrong.

I would appreciate it if you could guide me to steps on how to format this PC (through DOS or whatever), and do a clean WinXP install. I have never done this before. Thanks for your help.

 

[BionicJohn]

At at guess your BIOS is not set to boot from your CD-ROM.

You will need to enter the BIOS and alter the settings so the CD-ROM is the first boot drive.

This site should help, though the detail may differ on your PC.
[URL unfurl="true"]http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/hermanzone/p1.htm[/url]

LIVERPOOL FC - FA Cup Winners 2006.
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[draissam]

Thanks for your reply, but before my pc starts, it's now giving me the choice to select either Win2000 or WinXP. If I select Win2000, it continues normally, and if I select WinXP, it goes to a DOS type page, and inform me that WinXP setup wasn't complete, asks me to insert CD, and press enter. But as previously mentioned, even when I insert the CD nothing happens. Now, going back to accessing the Bios, the only key listed in the startup page is F8, and it takes me to the Windows Advanced Option Menu, but I couldn't see any advanced bios feature there to access the bios. Any other hints. Thanks.

 

[G0AOZ]

Doesn't sound like you've actually got in the computer's BIOS...

There are a variety of different keys to hit depending upon make of computer etc. Most common is to hit just the <Del> key a few times immediately the screen shows video BIOS message straight after switch-on. This is way before you get to load anything off the hard disk.

You should find a section in the BIOS relating to boot order. Make sure CDROM is the first option. More often than not it will be set to either FDD or HDD. Don't forget to save settings before you exit the BIOS. Machine ought to now boot to CDROM first. It may well invite you to "hit any key to boot from CD"...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[wolluf]

How many optical drives have you got? (I ask as you said E: drive - which means you probably have a D: drive). The install you started from within 2k should definitely have continued ok, as it doesn't need to boot from the CD - but if you have > 1 optical drive it might just need to be loaded in the other one.

For a 'proper' clean install, you do need to boot from the XP install CD - use its partitioning tools to remove all partitions (after backing up of course) and creating new partition for XP.

 

[draissam]

I was able to get to the BIOS after hitting the <DEL> key. The pc was set to reboot from the floppy first. I changed that to reboot from CD instead. But, I am still facing the same problem. Sorry, but I have omitted to tell you that I have two drives beside th floppy. The E: CD burner; F: DVD burner; A: Floppy. One more information, the DVD is not working, and cannot even read, and I think it was set as master. Your input would be greatly apprecited.

 

[draissam]

Can I just do a DOS format, and then install the WinXP. If yes, how?

 

[hellbeach]

Try downloading a dos 6.22 floppy boot disk from

http://www.bootdisk.com,

make sure you get the boot disk with cd-rom drivers included, and boot the computer with that floppy and then try to install from cd-rom.

 

[BionicJohn]

I changed that to reboot from CD instead. But, I am still facing the same problem. Sorry, but I have omitted to tell you that I have two drives beside th floppy. The E: CD burner; F: DVD burner; A: Floppy. One more information, the DVD is not working, and cannot even read,

Do you have a drive D:? Is it a partition on your HDD?

Remove the DVD drive after disconnecting the cables from the back and unscrewing it from the bay it if it's U/S.
Put the Windows CD in the other drive and reboot, once you've set the BIOS to boot from the CD-ROM.

Can I just do a DOS format, and then install the WinXP. If yes, how?

Yes, you can, but you'll still need to be able to read the CD drive, for which you'll need DOS drivers.
Try what hellbeach suggests.

LIVERPOOL FC - FA Cup Winners 2006.
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.