Cannot boot from CD

[y2kman]

I thought that clean installing XP from a CD was supposed to be a straighforward process. I configured the bios to boot from cd but when the system searched, it cannot find boot record on XP CD and so proceed to boot from hard drive.

I know I can create the floppy disks to boot from but it appears there might be a flag as to why it won't boot from cd.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Dave

[sdkfz]

Is this an original Microsoft XP CD or is it a 'Restore Disk" copy? If the latter does the restore disk belong to the computer you are installing it on?

[Markoman01027]

Make sure the CD is not scratched, and clean if needed.

[y2kman]

Ok thanks for help.

The HD is 300GB Seagate and when I tried the installation with the CD the system could only see the first 137GB limit so I used the software that came with my HD[Seagate]. It's a Disk Utility that allows you to partition big drives and format them.

I then quit the program cuz it was going to back up my old hard drive. The software don't work too well for that purpose as it is not 100% accurate at least not in my opinion from what I've seen. I don't need to do that anyway.

Now I have about 50GB [more or less] on C:\ and the rest 250GB [more or less] on D:\.

I want to copy the XP CD to the HD and format from there. Hopefully not a problem since the CD installation only seems to be seeing 137GB because of the file system limitation.

I am sure there are other ways around this but I am hoping that copying the CD to the HD and installing from there will work as I have very little time to do this and I am already setup to do it.

Of course if I have to do it another way I will just have to.

Just that I need to get back to work.

Thanks for any further help guys/gals.

Dave

[macko72]

You already know what to do so therefore here is some help with partitioning with XP and how it goes from MS support: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313348

[y2kman]

Hi Macko72

I appreciate the help. I used to be a tech a while back but now I am doing more web dev than anything else.

Sometimes my job calls for reformatting, fixing repairing etc. so I just check in to be sure I am on track and that not enough has changed since.

Thanks to you and others for all the help.

Great forum!
Dave

[chronix]

did you get around the boot problem? i have the same problem

mine is a brand new XP Pro SP2 disk from our campus comp store ($12 woohoo)

this is making me

[y2kman]

Chronix

Actually I haven't attempted doing it that way again just yet. I wanted to try the Seagate software that came with my new HD first.

If it bombs out I will let you know if I go that route. I don't think it will though.

I have an existing 200GB Quantum that is still holding me up which I can easily substitute for the 300GB till I get it going. Then use the 200GB for critical backup.

Long story but I also still have my old PC with a 120GB I need to back up, clean up and reformat.

Quite a bit going on,a few issues, etc. but I will report back and let you know if I go that route.

Dave