I'm kind of new to this so I'm hoping someone can help. I am trying to do a clean install of Win 2000 on an older system just so that I can have wireless internet upstairs in my home. I made boot disks from the CD and have gotten through all 4 of them. When it begins to copy files from CD is where I run into problems. I get a message saying "cannot copy file cdaudio.sys" If I skip this file, the next "cd" file will not copy. All the while, the cd just spins for a few seconds at a time. Finally after skipping through alot of "cd" files, most that start with "cd", it doesn't seem to find any file at all. I'm wondering if my cd drive is not compatible with Windows 2000. I searched online for drivers for the cd drive, and the latest I could find is for Win 98. Any help? Thanks

Hi Andrew, Clean the CD and the CDROM drive. With a 98 boot disk: format c:/s xcopy [CDROM]:\i386 c:\i386\ Take out the floppy, boot non HD and: \i386\winnt M2

Thanks, Should I just download a 98 boot disk from a site online? Also, could you explain in a little more detail exactly how I get through the steps. Sorry, I'm kind of slow! Thanks

W2K should go in OK (RAM allowing) on that system. I have W2K on P2-233 with (initially 128Meg RAM and now with) 320Meg. It ran OK with 128Meg, runs just fine with 320Meg. Running the W2K readiness analyzer is always a good thing to do - before starting to install W2K... It vets the system as is and indicates what may need updating (drivers etc.) for W2K to instal/run OK. However the type of error you're getting (cannot copy/install such and such a file or files) is frequently due to RAM issues (and may not show up via the W2K analyzer). RAM is not up to required specs/standards for W2K... RAM ideally should be same/matched specs... (and preferably decent quality). Try a known good 128Meg stick.

Hi Andrew, Yes, you should DL from bootdisk.com There are very clear & complete instructions here: http://www.hexff.com/win98_install.php They're talking about 98 install but apply for the basics. You can learn much. OK. You've gotten your 98 boot disk. You boot on the 98 floppy. When you get the a:\> prompt, you type: format c:/s [press enter] It will ask if you're sure and you'll say yes. It will take several minutes and then prompt you for a volume label. [your choice; doesn't matter] Put your w2k CD into the CDROM drive. The CDROM drive will likely be D: ; you can find it by typing in: dir d:\ [press enter] If you get a directory listing which includes, among other things, an i386 directory, that's your CDROM. If not, try: dir e:\ [press enter] When you've found it, do this: [assume your CD is drive D:] xcopy d:\i386 c:\i386\ [press enter] You should see it copy about 3994 files. Now take out the floppy and the CD and reboot. When you get to the C prompt, like this: c:\> Type in: \i386\winnt [press enter] Your w2000 setup will start. HTH M2

M2, Thanks, I tried the steps, but I can't even get an a: prompt. When I boot (order set as floppy, CDROM, IDE-0) this comes up: Searching for Boot Record from Floppy..OK Non-System disk or disk error Replace and press anykey when ready I'm probably missing something simple here! Thanks, Andy

Hi Andy, Don't know if you're missing something simple. But you're folloeing directions, which puts you ahead of many others. I guess the floppy disk is one which you just downloaded, right? Try it in another PC to see if it's good. If so, you mau need to clean your floppy drive. If not, keep at it until you get an error-free boot on your PC. M2