Won't boot from CDROM

I have a Dell Inspiron 2650 Laptop and it won't boot from the CDRW. I set it to boot from CD but when I check the setting it goes back to boot from floppy. I can't run a copy of XP Pro over home because it is an older version. WinXP Home is installed but I want to install XP Pro. Can I use a floppy to get the CD to do the install? If this is possible, what do I need to do it? and do I type setup when the floppy loads?

 

Is it possible that instead of pressing save&exit you press exit alone?

 

You can download a set of 6 XP 'boot' floppies that are just for this type of situation. Or- if you install and format the HD as FAT32 (not NTFS), you can boot to a Win98 or ME boot floppy and run the setup from the CD. Here's the link to set of 6 XP floppies: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994/en-us
If you decide to use the Win98 boot disk method, just post and I'll post the info...

hopperdave2000

 

I have a 98 floppy so I will use that.

 

If you format using the W98 floppy, I seem to remember you can do it by typing

D: setup.exe

(D, or whatever drive letter your CD drive is)

which should then make it load from the CD. It's a long time since I've done this, but I think it's someting like that

 

When you set to boot first from cd, do you press f10 to save and exit, or, did you miss the prompt, or not see the y, at the end. I it asked you if you wish to save and exit, with the n on the end, and you pressed yes, or, enter, it will not save the cmos setting.end

 

"If you format using the W98 floppy, I seem to remember you can do it by typing

D: setup.exe

(D, or whatever drive letter your CD drive is) which should then make it load from the CD."

Setup for XP cannot be run from a DOS boot. You will need the six floppy set if you're using a floppy drive to boot the machine.

 

If it is XP ON A FAT32 SYSTEM, WIN98 FLOPPY will format, --a:\- format c:
If it is NFTS, you will have to format from XP cd.-

 

Here's what you do: boot to the Win98 floppy and choose '....with CDROM support'. After it's done loading, simply type 'format c:'. If you get an error about drive c: not being recognized, you'll have to delete the partition by typing 'fdisk' and press enter. When it loads up, choose 'delete non-DOS' partition and follow the prompts. When it's done, choose 'create partition' and follow the prompts for a primary, active FAT32 partition. When that's done, reboot to the Win98 floppy. Again select CDROM support. After it's done loading insert you WinXP CD. Give a second or two to spin up. At the A:> prompt type 'E:\' if E is your CD drive. You should now be at an E:> prompt. Type 'cd i386'. You should now be at this prompt: 'E:\i386>' or something very close to that. Now type 'winnt.exe' and follow the WinXP setup instructions. At some point, you'll be asked for the location of where you want the setup files copied from. Be sure it's set for 'E:\i386'. Now it's just a matter of letting WinXP install itself. Easy, no?
NOTE: if your CD drive is D: or G: or Z:, be sure to make the appropriate adjustments to the above commands.

hopperdave2000

If you need more help, just post your questions, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can

 

why make it so complicated? all he has to do is set the boot sequence so the CD-ROM comes before the hard drive and then when it askes for a promt just run the cd rom.

 

Is he remembering to press a key to boot to cd?

 

In the first post, he said he couldn't boot from the CD due to the BIOS boot order not recognizing his changes. If he can boot to the CD, great: ignore my 'complicated' procedure above If not, use the steps outlined to install XP without being able to boot to the CD. Even if you can boot to the CD, it still may be helpful to someone someday when the CD won't boot and they think all is lost....

hopperdave2000

 

"Type 'cd i386'. You should now be at this prompt: 'E:\i386>' or something very close to that. Now type 'winnt.exe' and follow the WinXP setup instructions."

Good info. Thanks hopperdave2000. I tried it on a 98SE machine I have for experimentation (used a 98SE EBD) and it seemed to work. The XP install process started and proceeded to copy files etc to the C: drive. I aborted the installation and cleaned up the drive getting rid of all the ntldr and boot*.* files etc. then "sys'd" the drive to bring it back to "normal".

padams brings up a good point. Is the poster missing a prompt? (Some bios's will ask.)

 

I sorted it out. I went back to the bios setup and noticed that if you use the F5 F6 keys it will move the drive to the top of the list. I was just selecting the boot from CD option and pressing F10 but on this machine the boot option has to be at the top of the list. Thanx for all your help guys, I really appreciate it.

 

all you need to do is: put the XP Pro disk into the CD-Rom drive and if auto-run doesn't come up open my computer and right-click your CD-Rom drive and click AUTOPLAY.

On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP page, click Install Windows XP.

The Windows Setup Wizard appears. Verify that Upgrade (Recommended) is selected from the Installation Type list, and then click Next.

Then just follow the prompts and compleat the installation of windows XP Pro:major

 

Dan- I'm glad at least someone learned something out of this Hopefully some others will remember this in the future. When you're working on a laptop with a dead CDROM drive, copying the i386 folder to the hard drive and running winnt.exe is sometimes the ONLY way to install XP. I've been there!
Bowrabob- Cool! You got it working! If you have any other questions, be sure to let us know!

hopperdave2000

 

how did you get my name? lol is it in my profile?

 

xgc? your name is Dan? I was actually talking to Mr. Penny!
No, no, wait, I'm psychic (or is physic? or is it psycho? )

 

hahahah yea my name is dan.... and i love you!!!:drool hahha jk man.... i love my laptop.