I'm trying to install Windows XP on my system (I'm currently using Win98). I go through the installation on the screen for XP, and when it restarts to finish the installation I get a blank screen that won't go away. Then when I tried to format my hard drive (through dos... format c:) it didn't do what it normally does... it went really fast through the format (took about 5 seconds) and then said it was done... when I restarted it gave me an invalid system disk error, but the drive still had all of the information on it. I think the problems may be related. 1) Why isn't the installation picking up when it restarts? 2) Is there anyway to get my drive to actually reformat? Thanks so much for your help

I recently had a friend who installed xp and they told me something about a blank screen too. I can't help you, but so far you sound like my friend. Just want you to know you are not alone and I'm sure if you'll sit tight someone here can help.

Be careful about which version of dos you are using to format your hd. Perhaps the best thing for you to do is to obtain an XP bootable floppy with its format file, boot from the floppy and format it using the XP format file. Or doesn't XP make bootable floppies anymore? I think i heard something like that... When installing new Windows versions, it is usually preferable to format and install. Does the XP installation offer you the option of formatting the hd for you? That's all i can think of... Serge

You'll probably get much better help in the XP forum. Include info about which version of XP you have (Home or Pro), is it a full install or upgrade and are you going to use NTFS or Fat.

Your format is super fast as you are formatting the virtual drive created in RAM when you boot from the startup disk. It sounds as if you have a virus in boot memory on your hard drive.