Help upgrading from 98 - XP

[xMedai21]

Hey guys, im new here looks pretty neat here

could someone help me out on something

Everything time i try to install windows you obviously format i can get past that ( well some times ) and when it goes onto the loading part it says that it cannot find a file on the disk and the disk has no problems ive even used it after trying to install in on the 98 and it work perfect on my machine, the machine im talking about has never upgraded from 98

if i dont get to that bit ill get a Blue Screen saying "Windows has shut down to prevent damage" i just dont get it, never knew what to

thanks for your time in reading this

[sdkfz]

Welcome to PCMech,

What is the PC that you are trying to install this to? Have you used the system checking utility on the install CD to verify the machine is up to snuff for XP?

This is an original XP disk right? - not something copied from somewhere nor is it a restore disk from a another OEM - right?

[xMedai21]

what program can i use? have you got a link or a website? yes its a proper CD

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...nts for Xp Pro yeah my other computer is safe so any suggestions?

[Al Pollock]

You should have a 98 startup floppy. insert that and select boot without cd help when at the "A" prompt. type format and go from there. after format is done go to bios make sure sequence is set for boot from cd first and then install Xp cd in cd drive.Do you have enough memory for XP?
Also I prefer to fdisk and then format but I am not sure if you know how to use fdisk?

[xMedai21]

yeah boot up floppy type"fdisk" delete primary dos partion or whatever then format so that should be ok to install XP without any problems? because i always get the BLUE SCREEN its kinda anoying and i dont want to format for no reason

[xMedai21]

come on guys help me out

[JUNG2]

Blue screen is always annoying. If you have two sticks of RAM try removing one at a time and see what happens.

[JUNG2]

Try formating the hard drive using the disk that came with it or downloaded from the manufacturers site.

[xMedai21]

but its mainly the cant read disk
it works fine on my computer just that computer and ive heard aswell with people that are on 98 they just cant upgrade to XP its really annoying please some more help :P

it says it cant find a file on the disk when its preparing and copying lists ready for installation!

[Panama Red]

Different suggestion. I'm assuming you have an upgrade XP disk. I'm also assuming you don't care about losing all existing data since you've indicated "reformatting". And I'm assuming you have a MS OS disk that qualifies for upgrade, ie: 98, 98se, or ME. If all the above are true, access the bios and set the boot order to boot from the CD drive first. (Don't even bother with floppies) Insert the XP disk in the CD drive and exit the bios saving any changes. When you see "Press any key to boot from CD...", hit a key or the space bar. Follow the prompts to do fresh install of XP. When it recognizes a previously installed OS (98), select the option to deleted the 98 partition. This will effectively wipe the hard drive. Then hit Enter to install XP to the Unpartitioned Space. Select NTFS as the type of file format. At some point in the installation you will see a notice that a qualifying OS is not found (needed for the upgrade)and to insert a qualifying disk. Remove the XP disk, install the qualifying OS disk and follow the prompts. Once it is ready to continue, remove the other OS and reinsert the XP disk. You should be good to go from there on.

[xMedai21]

im confused about the Qualifying disk?

the problem im getting its just dont want to pick up the files on the disk says file can not be found" file name " really pissing me off ive formatted twice since i started this topic and its just that bit gets stuck on the disk thats all i need help with you know where after u format it copies the files needed for the installation

[Panama Red]

Are you booting from the XP disk? What are you using to format the hdd?

[glc]

XP is a lot fussier about things like ram than 98. Test your ram with Memtest86+.

www.memtest.org

Disconnect ALL peripherals except keyboard and mouse, remove all cards from the computer except video card, disconnect all drives except the hard drive and the CD drive.

Got the specs on this machine?

[xMedai21]

but what does this do? its got nothing to do with the ram has it? its just i dont know i need some advice or why its happening :P could it mean i might need to update the bios on the otehr computer?

[glc]

I'm far from clear about exactly what you have and what you are trying to do. Can you start over at the beginning, list all specs, and exactly what steps you are taking to do whatever it is you are trying to do?

[xMedai21]

sorry ok

What im am trying to do is i put the Windows XP Media Edition 2005 CD in and it formats ok. When the next screen comes on it starts to copy files for the setup but it will say for example on 3% that it cant find a file on the disk ( when it is brand new no problems i even used it for this computer ) and thats the problems i am currently happening. Also my old step dad on hes computer exactly the same thing wouldnt get past copying files for Setup

here is the other computer DXDIAG Click Here

thanks for this guys

[jayb1234]

You can't install the same copy of a windows system on more than 1 computer. It is not legal.

[Al Pollock]

It sounds as though your CD may be damaged....Check to see if there is any finger prints or foreign matter on the data side and clean it carefully................LOL

[glc]

Have you tested the ram yet?

Post specs here, please - your link wants me to log into MSN. DXDIAG is not what we need - we need computer or motherboard model, processor speed, amount of ram, etc. They don't have to be extremely detailed, we just need to know what we are dealing with - I have no way of telling how old this computer is or whether it meets minimum specs for the operating system.

[xMedai21]

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/30/2005, 13:09:51
Machine name: Pete
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 98 (4.10, Build 2222) A
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer:
System Model:
BIOS:
Processor: Intel Pentium III, ~1000MHz
Memory: 288MB RAM
Page File: 47MB used, 1712MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 8.0 (4.08.00.0400)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 4.08.00.0400

(rest removed by admin)

[glc]

I believe I said NOT to post a DXDIAG. We do not need a detailed report with all that kind of info that has nothing at all to do with the issue.

If you are unclear what to post when we mean "specs", please review other threads where people are posting their specs. In fact, Al Pollock's signature which you can see in THIS thread has his specs.

[xMedai21]

sorry, so can u find out? whats wrong

[glc]

I'll ask again - have you tested your ram yet?

Review the ENTIRE thread, please.

[xMedai21]

i dont get how to use it

[glc]

Download - Pre-Compiled package for Floppy (DOS - Win)

http://www.memtest.org/download/1.65....65.floppy.zip

Unzip it into an empty folder.

Put a blank floppy into the drive and run the INSTALL.BAT file.

Boot the computer with the floppy. Let the program run a couple of passes, if any errors appear the ram is defective.