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So I just ugraded to a new computer (don't think specifics matter, amd processor, decent motherboard, 1 gig ram etc). So the hardware install goes fine, boot up and get ready to install windows. Starting with 98 (to put on XP after), it goes through the first stage just fine, then reboots.
This is where the problem starts and will not continue from the 'getting ready to run windows for the first time' screen. It hasn't hung because the bar at the bottom is still 'loading', but very slow and jerkily. It got past this stage once when I left it for about 20 minutes. I just cannot see what is wrong, I've used that windows disc on other computers many many times, and all hardware seems to be fine, what can i do!?
So I just ugraded to a new computer (don't think specifics matter, >>>>
They most certainly do! For the first thing Windows 98 will have problems with over 512 meg RAM. Other problems may pop up as well.
The most important thing to learn is that you do NOT have to install Win98 first if you are planning to upgrade. Just boot with the WinXP disc and it will ask you for proof that you are upgrading from an approved MS operating system. Remove the XP and insert the Win98 CD and pointit in that direction. It will go through a few gyrations verifying it and then ask for the XP cd again and finish the load.
THis seems like the end goal, so avoid any problems en route. Upgrading one operating system over another is ALWAYS a tricky proposition because they are different.
Let me know how it goes.
You can avoid many of these Windows problems with Linux. Linspire eases the transition for new users
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Hmm you think that's the most likely problem here? Seems bizzarre that a gig ram would be making it go SLOWER. Not sure whether to try either taking one of the 2 512 ram's out, or formatting the drive over and trying to install just XP. I really didn't think you could just install the XP that's meant to be installed over 98 on it's own. Any more ideas are more than welcome.
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O.K so I took out one of the 512 ram sticks and it's exactly the same so it looks like it's something else. I'm willing to try just installing XP on, but surely something isn't right if it's not allowing 98 to install? Thanks for your help, I need to get this sorted.
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GX1 MAN is correct on memory and upgrade, if 98 is not a MS cd but a recovery cd then you likely will need to install 98 first.
Another problem could be the comp speed, 98 has problems over 2.4g (I think that is the speed , or 1.4g not sure).
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First edition has problem with those faster cpus but second edition is OK with them. So it depends on what version he's installing.
What size hard drive are you using?
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I'm using a 40gb maxtor fireball 3 hard drive. So I decided I'd try and install XP straight on. Formatted the drive again, restart with cd boot, and I get the error "INVALID SYSTEM DISK. Replace the disk, and then press any key", pressing any key then gives the error "DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER". This is defiantely a working copy of XP and I even borrowed a friends copy to try which did the same. I don't see what can be wrong with this system??
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How are you formatting the HDD? You should be booting off the WinXP CD & doing all your setup from there. If you're using an upgrade CD, once the install begins, you'll be prompted to insert the Win98 CD...once that's verified, the XP install will continue.
ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP2
0
jam is correct---XP cd's should boot, unless maybe you have a damaged/ scratched CD, or some burned copy---they will not read in all drives.
Make SURE that the CDROM is recogized in bios
that the CDROM is in the "boot order"
some machines don't like to boot off the CDROM if it is a "slave" drive --hooked to the middle of the cable.THERE IS NO NEED to install Windblows98 first, unless, as someone said, the cd is a proprieary "restore" cd, and the reason for this is---
When you do a clean install of the "newest" system you are installing, by using an upgrade CD--in this case XP, it will "want" you to prove you have the older version.
If your '98 cd is some proprietary "restore" cd, it will be in proprietary compressed files, that the XP "proof" program can't resolve.
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I'm not sure how I didn't explain it right in my post, but that's what I've just been trying to do. I tried to just install XP (without 98) and it was telling me the invalid system disc bit when trying to boot from the xp cd. So I couldn't do anything.
I then managed to copy the setup files from the cd to the harddrive and install from there. This eventually got XP on (with a couple of 'this file cannot be copied's) but is running INCREDIBLY slow, so I'm guessing the problem is eiter ram, harddrive or graphics card. Something is definately not right.
Im not sure if this is relevant but when starting up it asks if I want to boot windows, or the os previously installed on this drive (I got the drive from a computer that had Linux on it, not sure what else was on it). But I did a FULL install (format c:) so I figured it was all clean. Could this be it?
Please any more help or suggestions, something is definately wrong. Thanks.
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Did you change the boot order in the BIOS so that it boots off the CD before the HDD? Did you watch the screen? Sometimes you get prompted to "hit any key" to get the CD to boot, otherwise it will skip over it & jump straight to the HDD....& your blank HDD would be recognized as an invalid system disc
ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP2
0
If you can , You may first wish to try a MBR/fix ? or fdisk/mbr
then try formating and installing win xp
I've had a problem installing windows after having linux on a hard drive before and ended up having to do a total . Low Level Format.
basically writing zeros to the whole drive, I have a utility from Ontrack that does the drive wipe,, For some reason that was the only way to end up getting windows back on the drive,, the low level format took a long time to do ,, 4 hrs. ? 6 hrs? can't remember,
You might try the fdisk/mbr and see if it works. then, try the low level format afterwards.
If the above mentioned doesn't work then you'll have to play with some of the bios settings.. Like trying and disabling Legacy usb support or a different setting for the standby settings.. s1/POS or s3/str
S1/POS is a low power state in this state no system context is lost (cpu or chipset ) and hardware maintains all system contextS3/STR the s3 sleep mode is a lower power state where the information of system configuration and open applications/files is saved to main memory that remains powered while most other hardware components turn off to save energy the information stored in memory will be used to restore the system when an wake up event occurs
That is if your board supports the settings change, Well there are plenty of other settings in there and you'll have to play with them if the fdisk/mbr doesn't work
MSI 845e mb 768 mb ram and a p4 2.4n running xp ,win 2000 advanced server and win 98 SE alot to learn and I know so little !!!!
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have you tryed copying the win98 section of the windows 98 disk onto the hard drive and then installing that way, or the i386 (i think) folder of the windows xp disk onto the hard drive? this might help, also - when i first upgraded, i installed win98 on this computer (athlon 2500+, 512megs) and it worked fine, i had it dual-booting with win xp - and i finally got fed up with it...so i reformated the partition 98 was on.
me!
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Yeah that's how I got XP on, the i386 folder way copying it over. But it is far from right, going beyond slow, and the desktop only had the recycle bin on it! I've ran out of ideas.
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invalid sys.disk mass will also display when the jumpers are set in the wrong way so don't forget to check them too especially if you're using more than one harddrive. Elek
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So if not already done, go down to using one hard drive, remove all the partitions and then load on the Win XP. It sounds like you have a partition problem, or a GRUB boot loader has left some residual, etc.
You can avoid many of these Windows problems with Linux. Linspire eases the transition for new users
0
Yeah I'm thinking that's ONE of the problems, you could see 4 partitions in fdisk, it was showing the main portion of the drive was 30gig (its a 40gig drive) but wouldn't let me remove all partitions, only one or two. So how can I start clean, formatting and removing all partitions on it.
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You can do this in Windows where you choose to install and do not do a repair but reinstall then delete those other partitions.
OR You can use a Linux CD (I know it's there on Slackware) so just download disk 1 and make a CD out of the ISO. Boot with that and type cfdisk. That will get you into the partion manager and that will SURELY delete all partitions known to man. It is very easy to use.
http://iso.linuxquestions.org/distro.php?distro=1
to get the ISO. Any version will do.
You can avoid many of these Windows problems with Linux. Linspire eases the transition for new users
0
There are several simple tools to delete non-DOS logical partitions: Delpart, Zap(ZAP63), Killdisk, WipeDisk, Gdisk (comes with ghost).
Google.
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As I said WAY back...you should be doing ALL your setup using the WinXP CD. You don't need to run FDISK or use any 3rd party program to partition/format the HDD...the XP disc will do it all.
If you insist on using a program to do it for you, use the one designed to work with your drive. For instance, if it's a WDC drive, use Data LifeGuard...if it's a Maxtor, use MaxBlast
ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP2
0
I think many of us have suggested this, eh?
You can avoid many of these Windows problems with Linux. Linspire eases the transition for new users
0
Hey all,
One thing not mentioned was to quote mdawg, "and the desktop only had the recycle bin on it" Everytime I have done an install with a MS WinXP CD, this was the default. I had to then "option on" the other icons like my computer, my documents, my networks places and IE, by way of right-clicking the destop, clicking properties, then in display properties box, clicking on the Desktop tab at the top, and then clicking "Customize Desktop at the bottom of that page.I have, during a fresh install of both 98 and XP, always ran fdisk, deleted any and all partions, then exited fdisk. Rebooted the puter to the setup routine, either floppy or CD, and let the O/S that's being installed allocate the drive partition(s) that I choose at the time. Then I let the setup routine do the formatting. I have never even tried to "preformat" the hard-drive in a fresh install.
Just my $.02Sean
If the house catches fire, SAVE the computer!!
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