Clean Install Question

I have an interesting question. I have a Micron computer that I bought five years ago, designed for Windows 98. I have found it impossible to perform a clean install on this system with anything besides Windows 98. The reason for this is that the keyboard does not respond when it comes time to start selecting options for the clean install on the first boot with the WinXP or 2000 cd. I have tried plugging in a different keyboard, but it is still unresponsive. When I run the Win98 cd, it is all automated, so I have no problems installing the OS clean. Anyway, if I want to run Win2000 or XP as I do now, I always have to upgrade over Win98, which I don't like to do, but am forced into. Any thoughts as to why this would be happening?

Thanks in advance!
James

 

Regular or USB keyboard?

 

Regular

 

Regular as in what? PS2, or the old Din style?

What does the Bios say it is?

How old is the PC and what are the specs?

 

I appreciate your taking over, please procede!

 

I'm not sure how to find out what kind it is. Where is the BIOS? I bought this PC in 2000, and it's a Micron 735 MHz Pentium III, 20 G. My mouse is USB, but I have a converter to plug it into an outlet similar to the one my keyboard plugs into. So I'm assuming it's just the general style.

James

 

The keyboard is just the general Microsoft keyboard. And the keyboard came with the computer.

 

Your hardware is very old in computer terms.

To ensure a trouble-free installation of XP, you need to do the following,

Check that your hardware is compatible with XP on the Micro$$oft site.

To do this you will need to know what is in the computer. (you can use the XP CD to check, but Everest noted below is very handy nonetheless)

Download a copy of Everest Home Edition available from here and that will tell you what you have.

That should also give you links for the relevant drivers. Obtain the latest XP compatible drivers for each piece of hardware.

Check that there are no relevant Bios updates. Don't flash the Bios for the sake of it, only do so if it address a requirement you have.

Only have the minimum hardware required. Anything not vital install later when you have a stable system.

If all the above has been done, then it's simply a matter of installing XP followed by the updated hardware drivers.

I'm sorry if this is lengthy, but as I stated your hardware is very old.

 

The only piece of hardware that doesn't work when I try to clean install XP is my keyboard. My keyboard works with XP, it just doesn't work when I try to clean install it; it's unresponsive when there's no operating system loaded. I downloaded EVEREST and I'm trying to upgrade my BIOS to see if that will help. I just dont' know what to do! My keyboard also won't work when I try to clean install Win2000, basically anything besides Windows 98 OEM CD that came with my computer.

 

I gave you the basics for how to perform a fool proof installation of XP.

Granted it's not simple, but you have old hardware and are trying to install a more advanced operating system.

Is they keyboard compatible with XP? (have you checked on the microsoft site for compatibility and used the XP CD to scan and check)

The easiest solution is to get another keyboard. They aren't very expensive.

 

I've plugged in an XP compatible keyboard into my computer when trying to perform the clean install and it still is unresponsive. So I'm not sure where the problem is.

 

Double-check the Bios and make sure the keyboard is displayed.

If you aren't sure how to enter the Bios, when you boot your PC, it will tell you at the bottom of the screen to press del (delete) usually.

Tap several times whatever key it tells you to. If it doesn't go to the Bios you either weren't quick enough or didn't tap the key enough times. Try again.

Don't change any settings in there, just check and make sure the keyboard is enabled and displayed correctly.

 

I know how to get to display the BIOS, but I don't know what I'm looking for once I'm in there.

Also, does the Intel Application Accelerator really work?

 

Intel Application Accelerator in my experience doesn't do a lot and has created a lot of problems for many people.

It's up to you if you want to try it.

What type of connector does the keyboard use?

http://www.infonewsindia.com/pinout/pinout_ps2_serial_mouse.htm


The one on the left is a PS2 connector, the one on the right is a serial.

Old style Din look the same as PS2 , but are about twice the size (about 3/4 inch diameter)

Try to find a keyboard that the XP installation will work with, then once that is successful change them over.

 

Sorry, image isn't working, I'll try again!


http://www.fentek-ind.com/Connector_types.gif


Which one is it?

 

My keyboard is PS/2.

I have found a keyboard that loads clean WinXP onto the computer it came from, but I plug it into mine via PS/2 and it still is unresponsive. Is this a BIOS problem?

Also, would you recommend RegScrubXP?

 

It could be a Bios problem or a motherboard problem, it's really hard to say, but as I stated before you are loading the latest operating system onto a very old computer.

If you can find a keyboard that works with a new XP installation, leave it or change over keyboards and see if that works. If you have a PS2 convertor try it in another socket like USB etc.

I've never used RegScrub so I can't tell you anything about it.

 

why dont you just format your hardrive first, and then install xp or 2000 by setting you pc to boot from cd in the bios