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Ok so im trying to reinstall windows xp on a friends computer. Ok so I insert the xp cd restart and push f12 to select what to boot from, I click the cd/dvd option but it doesnt go to the menu. It just starts up normally. Basically how do I fix this or how do I reinstall windows, like a reformat and install. Thanks in advance.
Make sure the CD Drive is before the hard drive(s) in the boot order in the BIOS. If it isn't, change it, save the settings, and reboot without pressing F12.
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Try hitting F2 at start-up to enter the BIOS and change the boot device priority there so that CD drive is first HDD is 2nd etc...
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I did that, and it took a little longer but then again windows started up again. So Im guessing the cd is scratched it cant read it and it aborts? what else can I do? thanks for the help!
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I dont see anything. I hit the f12 option and click boot from dvd/cd and it just starts up windows. I changed the boot settings, and it like reads for a second and again boots up windows. Thanks for the help!
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Try entering the BIOS and disabling fast start and any logos. Reboot and you should see some post screens.
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Those settings are things that are idiot settings. When booting do you see a logo for the brand of motherboard or computer? If so, that is hiding the POST screens, which, IMO should always show.
The settings are strictly cosmetic. If there is a fast start/boot option and you disable it then the computer will check the RAM for consistency each time the computer boots. This will take a little longer to boot. The fast start option isn't as important as the logos.
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Also my xp cd is kinda scratched actually very scratched. And if I recall correctly last time I tried doing this to an already clean HDD I had to use the disk drives.
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Yeah it shows the dell logo, and i tried going in there and I believe it had three settings fast, something else and auto. Im sorry if I cant explain my problem all too well. Thanks for the help!
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First click f2 and then go to BIOS and enable CD/DVD rom drive as the first boot.Then press f10 to save the changes.Then restart your system and then u can able to see press any key to continue then the XP screen will come then u can see the instructions down of ur monitor
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If you think the problem might be that the CD is too scratched I would try burning off a copy of it and use that instead.
Another option might be to temporarily set the boot order in the BIOS so that the only boot device is the optical drive / CD rom, turn off / disable HDD and floppy. The machine will have no option but to boot from the CD and will have no where to go if it cannot.
You can always re-enable the HDD and floppy in the BIOS if installation still fails.
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It's also possible that your CD isn't bootable. Is it a Dell Reinstallation CD that came with the computer?
"So won’t you give this man his wings
What a shame
To have to beg you to see
We’re not all the same
What a shame" - Shinedown
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btk1w1, Yes Im about to burn a copy and see how that goes, and also I will make the cd as the only bootable device thanks for the idea.
Jennifer SUMN, Do you think its the actual cd is not bootable or the dvd/cd rom? It's a windows xp cd that Im using and its rather old so its pretty sctatched. Thanks for the help please keep the feedback coming guys.
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Manually set the burn speed low. That may help by allowing more time to read the original CD. I always make a copy of new software and install from the copy. Put the original in a safe place. Use sleeves too.
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If you are going to burn the cd, I suggest you use Roadkills unstoppable copier to see if there are any errors reading from the disk. It might even recover errors.
http://www.roadkil.net/listing.php?...
Before posting try google. Backup. Use anti virus software.
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If you are booting a legitimate 'Microsoft XP CD, you have to watch the screen closely and hit a keyboard key when it says so. You only have a couple of seconds to hit a key or it will bypass the CD and boot from the hard drive.
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Use the Dell Reinstallation CD if you have one.
"So won’t you give this man his wings
What a shame
To have to beg you to see
We’re not all the same
What a shame" - Shinedown
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OK! so first of all thanks for all the suggestions and help. So heres the conclusion so if anybody ever finds this thread and they have a similar problem. So the problem was my cd, it's like 6 years old and it was super scratched. Got a brand new cd and it loaded up and installed like nothing. Good to know that this boot from a cd is so sensitive, one chance to read and if it fails straight to windows haha.
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And keep the CD in a case or protective sleeve.
"So won’t you give this man his wings
What a shame
To have to beg you to see
We’re not all the same
What a shame" - Shinedown
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I was just covering both options in case the OP didn't get the point the first two times. :)
"So won’t you give this man his wings
What a shame
To have to beg you to see
We’re not all the same
What a shame" - Shinedown
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