Problem reinstalling Windows XP

Hi,

I am trying to reinstall Windows XP on my laptop.
It starts loading fine until it gets to the page which asks you to press "Enter" to install Windows or "R" to repair Windows. As soon as I get to that part and try to press enter, nothing happens.
I know its not my disc, as I have installed Windows from this disc on another PC to make sure.
Also I have installed Linux on my laptop just to make sure the "enter" key is OK.
Since then I have fdisked the HD and tried my XP disc again, but it's still the same!

Please help.
TIA
Yozzer

 

You may be overflowing the keyboard cache by hitting keys too many times at POST. If its a laptop, try unplugging power and even take out the battery for a minute. Plug it back in, turn on, don't hit any keys until you're prompted to and then only hit it once.

Give that a shot.

 

yozzer319,

I had the same problem once with one of customers. Tried everything and it turned out to be some settings in BIOS. Can't remember what it was tho...
If you want simple solution, just plug in keyboard(ps/2) into the notebook before you turn it on.
It worked for me.
-Good luck

 

I thought about doing that but there is no PS2 port on the laptop!

Thanks anyway.
Yozzer

 

snap... that's not good. sorry that didn't help.
How about usb? maybe, you could enable usb keyboard support function in bios and try using that?

Or.., I just thout of this... You could maybe use Unattended setup, so that you don't have to press "enter". I DO have this disk made and it works beautifully. But I DIDN'T test it against the mentioned laptop problem...
can you let me know if this worked? Here is the link to make "unattended setup":
http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/7/

 

Thanks for the help!!
I tried using a keyboard plugged into a USB port and it worked a treat.

Much appreciated!
Yozzer

 

Nice! Finally some results...
Can you let me know which brand and model your laptop is, so I know of this problem in the future?

 

The laptop is a Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Pro V7010.
It's only a cheapo model that cost under £400 a couple of years ago.

Anyway, thanks for the help again!
Yozzer