Thanks in advance for any assistance! Here is my scenario: 1. Attempted to install Win XPover Win98 on back up computer. 2. Successfully Formatted with Win98 boot disk to NTFS. 3. Successfully installed Win XP from install CD. 4. However, something was not quite right with install. For example - a. Received Beep after each reboot (indicating some system/boot error) b. System was slow between programs c. Defaulted to themeless windows theme (blue) 5. Side Note: though I do not have systems specs handy - ran systems check prior to install. System good for XP OS. 6. After days of hanging programs (Firefox, Windows Updates, XP Office Pro, McAfee Virus Scans - all clean installed). I decided to reformat and reinstall XP. 7. Formatted C: 8. Tried installing from install CD. But does NOT boot from CD (Changed Bios to CD as primary) 9. Attempted to run setup from CD but I am receiving these messages: "This program cannot be run in Dos Mode" or "Bad command or file name." 10. Used XP boot disks (all six) 11. Allowed me to reinstall XP 12. However, I now had TWO partitions. 13. WIN XP could only be loaded on 2nd Partiition. 14. Ran FDISK - deleted primary partition. Crated new Primary Partition. Now I am back to ONE partition - the primary partition with all available disk space. 15. Reformatted and tried to install from CD- Rom 16. Receive messages: "bad command or file name." 17. Tried running setup commands: receive above message or "this program cannot be run in dos mode" 18. Did I use FDISK incorrectly? 19. Tried reusing XP boot disks (6) received error message: "I/O error press any key to continue" THAT BRINGS ME UP TO NOW. I have verified install discs on my other system. Setup begins upon install. Disc is good. The question: what do I do to install from Disc again, or run the boot discs so that I can run install again (does the boot disk create a second partition?) (If copying or accessing the i386 or smartdrv files/apps is the solution please walk a novice through this. I have tried copying smartdrv from WIN98 cd - nothing.) PLease help...I need two systems at my home and I cannot afford to buy a second system at this time. Thank You.

"Successfully Formatted with Win98 boot disk to NTFS." I don't think so Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie!'... till you can find a rock

"Successfully Formatted with Win98 boot disk to NTFS." I don't think so cuz Win98 boot disc does not know/understand NTFS. i_XpUser

If you used Win98's fdisk and format the hdd is FAT32 not NTFS. {(does the boot disk create a second partition?)} NO. With-in XP's setup you can tell it to if not paying attention. If the hdd is FAT32 you can use a Win98 boot floppy, if hdd is NTFS then you would need the 6 set XP boot floppys. Useing the Win98 floppy the install command will be WINNT.exe not WINNT32.exe . The program is in the i386 folder. If useing a Win98 floppy , after it boots, put in the floppy with smartdrv.exe and just type smartdrv (press enter) at the A: prompt . After smartdrv is loaded at prompt A: type in X:\i386\winnt (press enter) {X= your CD drive letter}. IS your XP cd a copy or MS cd ?

Thanks. jboy & XpUser - I stand corrected, when I was installing XP the first time, upon the prompt, I chose NTFA. Not from the WIN98 Boot disk.From the XP install TopFarmer - "If the hdd is FAT32 you can use a Win98 boot floppy, if hdd is NTFS then you would need the 6 set XP boot floppys." I realize now that I have reformatted 3 different times. 1. I was able to install XP from CD. 2. I was able to install from the XP boots disks, but that's when I noticed TWO partitions had been created. Primary and Secondary? At this time, I only had the option to install XP onto the "seconday" not the primary. I don't know what was on the primary since I though I had formated the HD. 3. The third time I reformatted is when I really began to have problems. First, I could not install from the CD (would not boot) and second, I could not access the XP boot disk (as previously done) as now I am receivng the "I/O error message". AS far as: "Useing the Win98 floppy the install command will be WINNT.exe not WINNT32.exe . The program is in the i386 folder." This is what I have been trying unsuccessfully to utilize. I did find this link: ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/lip6/softs/NeOpus/ESPRIT/smartdrv.exe - on another formum help site, and I have downloaded the "smartdriv" onto a floppy. So with luck and more attention to detail I will see if this helps to get the setup files running again for XP. TopFarmer - It's an MS XP PRO cd. And I have installed this not only once before on this system, but also on another system prior. My primary system came bundled with XP already. Dell also. Again, why did I see TWO partitions after I used the XP boot discs. That's the only time I've seen TWO partitions (the primary and the other one). Strange, I could not install XP over the primary. Even after the Format. I was only allowed to use the other (second) partition, and it had less HD space than the primary. Thanks again, any more tips and assistance will only be greatly appreciated. Maz

Here's an update if anyone can still assist. I was able to get successfully install WIN XP. The disk I was trying to use was a copy!!! Installed from the original MS disk -installed without a hitch. Now I am receiving these messenger service pop-ups. Their are mulitple messages but they all pretty much say the same thing: My registry is not update, or my system is missing crititcal fixes, or me system is not up to date, etc. And each pop-up instructs you to go to a website to get updates and fix my registry: www.msreg.com www.regedit.com www.patchupdate.info www.guardregistry.com And a few others. I don't think it's a virus, and I've seen this before on other forums. Can't you get around this by disablin messenger service? All help is welcomed. Thanks, Maz