Help Please! Trbl Installing Old Xp...

I installed a new version of xp with sp2 but i cant activate it.

So, i tried to install my older and i guess genuine version but it wont boot of the cd.

I tried to:

1. changed the boot sequence in bios to cdrom first.
2. run the winnt & win51.exe from DOS
3. create a FAT32 partition using FDISK and then FORMAT C: /s

i am getting these messages

"internal setup error has occured. could not find a place for swap file"

and something about a ESOL agreement.

PLEASE HELP. I NEED THIS PC FOR WORK AND I NEED TO PAY THE RENT.

 

Sukonin,
Can you get a copy of Partition Magic.Try formating and partitioning from that first. Is there any newly added devices that might be causing installation problems? Uninstall any USB devices,modems, soundcards, etc. I've heard that a barebones system is best to install to, then add devices one at a time later.
Theres diagnostic programs that don't need an OS, such as Micro 2000, that'll run tests on hardware. Maybe the CPU, a hdd controller, or something has gone bad.
DCO

 

Have you tried using fdisk or partition magic to format the partition first?
Are you formatting it in NTFS or FAT32?
How big is your hard drive?

 

...you guess genuine?

Is it a burned copy?

 

thankyou all for replying.

im using an un activated version at the moment and it the only way i can get the net at home (at work at the mo)

can i download PARTITION MAGIC & MICRO 2000?

There has been no hardware changes and the xp pro sp2 version im using now had no problems installing. but.. the other version had no problems installing (three times periodicly) before i installed this one. maybe i did something with fdisk or format....?

My hard drive is only 12GB, i have another with all my media and work data on it and thats 80GB. the 12GB drive is just for my OS. fdisk will only let me format in FAT32 but, if i start the installation of xp sp2 i can format into NTFS and then reset. no luck there tho.

i have another version of xp that boots to cd fine. it's xp corp, no service packs and no cd key required (apparently) i have to go..
D:
D:cd i386
D:i386>winnt

but i get the SMARTDRV error, which i have gotten over by starting smartdrive from a floppy before i do the above. then i get stuck with the messages in my first post

Apart from those messages, I also get one about "setup cannot find a drive with enough space bla bla. setup requires at least 330megabytes bla bla.

Please reply soon.... I will try and install on a barebones system tonight.

Many thanks. I wasnt expecting a reply so soon.

 

Delete any existing partitions, be they primary or extended.

Then just create a Primary partition and install Windows into that.

This can all be done with the XP CD.

 

thanks for the reply insomniac.

i go into fdisk and delete all the partitions. then i create a new primary and format it into FAT32.

still....i have no luck.

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. I DONT WANT TO HAVE TO REINSTALL EVERY 30DAYS!!!

 

Why are you intent on FAT32? NTFS is better generally.

What exactly is happening so someone can give a more targeted response?

 

Try as I might, I cannot see how you are using a legit copy of Windows XP.

First this:

Then this:

You guess? Apparently? Come now. Then, you ignored my question about it being a burned CD.

I think the most sound advice at this point is to get a legal, legit copy of Windows XP, install it, and be done with it. If you have trouble, this article will lead you through it.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316941

If you have questions about whether your copy is legal, look here:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/default.mspx

Edit: If I am mistaken, please feel free to email or PM one of the mods and explain the situation to them, and if its legit, they will unlock the thread. Until then, this thread is closed.