XP Setup Copies Files, but still "OS Not Found" on reboot?

Older PC, 533 MHz AMD K6-2, trying to install XP on a hard drive after the old one went intermittent.

XP setup can partition, format, and copy files. Linux live-on-CD boots the HDD, can partition, format, read and write files, etc. so i know that the HDD is actually good and that the BIOS can read and operate the drive. Can't be a boot sector virus or other malware because I have no other drives on the computer, and this HDD is new.

The problem is that after Win XP setup copies the files and I reboot, it still says "operating system not found on any devices"! Yes, I've already tried FIXMBR which gives no confirmation message, and FIXBOOT which does confirm.

Linux works, but I can't get on the network with a boot CD. I hate Windows.... what's the next thing to try? Thanks.

 

Download and run the diag utility from the HD manufacturer just to be 100% sure that the HD is 100% healthy. Many of the HD utils also include an option for a low level format or to write '00' across the entire drive. Maybe something just got screwed up during the XP install. Running a complete RAM diagnostic wouldn't hurt either. If you have flakey RAM, the files being read from the CD may end up a bit 'scrambled' before being written to the HD.

hopperdave2000

 

RAM is good, already checked that. Low level format didn't seem to change anything. Any other ideas out there? Thanks

 

Anybody? I need some help please....

 

Make sure there is not a disk in the Floppy Drive.

Steve

 

when you installed XP you created a new partition for it correct? because you are running bolth windows and linux? if so try this. when you power up your computer tap F8 like a mad man. an operating system selection page should come up if windows isn't there alnong with linux you either have a dud compy of windows or it just didn't install correctly. i would say if this is the problem you should totaly format your HDD and install windows fresh before linux that way it should install for sure. however your older computer may not meet the minimum requirements for XP so check that first before formatting anything.