Just fired up, uhm.....this is frustrating...

[Moth]

Ok, I must be overlooking something simple, right?

My newly built 900mhz celeron fired up fine - bios setup was no problem, booted to dos (C drive partioned and formated with fdisk, system files copied to C drive, and all drives are working right, I think, as they will list their directories). I have a brand new copy of Win 2000 for the system, but I don't know how to get it to the setup stage.

"SETUP" command doesn't work in dos (I know most people here know this - but it fooled me ). I tried to extract the setup files from the cd-rom to the C drive (not knowing if that would help or not, but hey - I had try something, right?), but I get messages that the source file is "NULL". I may not be using the extract command correctly.

I just want to install the operating system. Anything obvious I'm doing wrong here? Please advise if you can. Thanks,

[HAL9000]

Set your boot sequence in the BIOS to boot from CD first. The Win2K CD is bootable and will go right into the setup.

[Moth]

Yep, I did that hal. I'd like to set the sequence to floppy/cd-rom/C or else cd-rom/floppy/C, but I don't have those options(Award bios).

It's set to Cd-rom/C/Floppy - and there's no floppy in it (Cd-rom is in), but it always boots up to A drive.

[Moth]

Just another bit if info, Hal (and anyone else who might might look in here): I set the jumpers on the hd and the cd-rom both to Cable Select - but the cd-rom is the master (my ribbon cable wouldn't reach far enough to allow me to connect the end spot to the hd). Could that cause the problem?

[Confused]

Put your CD on IDE 2 as it is a ATA33 device and set it to master. In BIOS set to boot from CD first and have the CD in the tray when you boot.
Chas

[Moth]

Thanks Chas. The cd-rom, to be more specific, is actually a Pioneer 6X dvd-rom. That should still be ata 33, right? So I guess I should put it on IDE 2, then, and leave the hd on IDE 1? Should I then set the jumpers on both devices to master?

[Blakhart]

Yes both as masters. If you have no floppy then the bios and 2k are looking at the fdd controller chip in the mobo. If you can disable it in bios, fine. You can also disable it in 2k under device manager, left click my computer and click properties and go from there. it will be in hardware. I am at my xp install, so I may be off in it being under hardware in 2k. My 2k install is a few blocks away.

[Moth]

Ok, thanks Blakhart. I'll make the physical changes and try to find the fdd controller in the bios. I can't access My Computer yet, of course - I'd be very glad to see a Windows start up screen.

Thanks to everyone. I know I'm making novice mistakes with this. I need to try it with these modifications.

[Moth]

Well, I made the changes (hdd is master on IDE 1, dvd-rom is master on IDE 2). I still can't seem to boot from the cd - always from A:

Bios settings (which I really don't understand):

Boot from Lan first:...............Disabled
Boot sequence:....................CDROM,C,A
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability:.....Disabled
Report no fdd for Win 95:.......YES

I've tried other variations of these settings, with the same results: I always go to dos and get an "A:" prompt.

[Moth]

Oh, and the boot sequence is still set to CDROM/C/A.
But it doesn't seem to matter how that's set anyway. This thing still starts with A. Gaaak!!!

[Moth]

Ok - I think I've narrowed this down a bit: Even with a blank, formatted floopy disk in the fdd, my directory at drive A still lists a bunch of files for basic dos stuff (30 files).

So I guess the bios is indeed using this "fdd controller chip" that Blakhart mentioned. Also, I have discovered this file (F is my Win2k in the dvdrom): F:\BOOTDISK\MAKEBOOT.EXE. When I execute the file, it says I can create floppies to boot to WIN2K SETUP, but when I try to make the first floppy I get an error: "GENERAL FAILURE". I've tried other floppy disks.

Is it possible the computer doesn't see the fdd because it's only looking at that fdd controller chip?

Please, if anyone has any thoughts, I could use 'em - I'm really stuck. Thanks,

[Moth]

Nope....that was nothing - just needed to change directories to b:.......win2k startup boot disks made, but I still can't boot to anything except drive a:

I wonder if a sledgehammer might help.....

[Moth]

Yep, sledgehammer worked. Actually, the problem resolved itself - it finally booted from the cd. I don't know why - I just kept friggin' with stuff in the bios. Again, my thanks to those who offered advice.

[Tuf]

Glad you got it. When it was showing the A: prompt couldn't you just change directories? This is kinda weird but all's well that ends well. Congrats on your new Computer!

[Moth]

Thanks Tuf.
Yeah, you'd think that wouldn't ya? Well, I could indeed change directories to access the cd, but the setup file wouldn't execute from dos - it only executes when the machine boots from the cd......don't ask me why it's made that way - sure was a pain.

[Allanv]

change dir on the cd to i386 and run winnt ...

its the dos setup for nt based os's


and i wouldnt have copied the system files to the c: drive ..

disable floppy in the bios if your not using one.


ps u might want to run smartdrive first or setups gunna take a long time

well that will teach me not to finish reading the replies before i post DOH

[Moth]

Originally posted by Allanv well that will teach me not to finish reading the replies before i post DOH

Hi Allanv. I still appreciate ya taking a crack at it. I'd still love to resolve this enigma for the future - heck, I might need to reformat someday.

and i wouldnt have copied the system files to the c: drive ..

Ok. I can just format the c drive without copying the system files next time.

disable floppy in the bios if your not using one.]

I wish I could, but the only options for boot sequences in the bios that include cdrom also include the floppy.

ps u might want to run smartdrive first or setups gunna take a long time

By this you mean only that I should enable this S.M.A.R.T. thing in the bios, right?

change dir on the cd to i386 and run winnt its the dos setup for nt based os's

You really lost this poor novice here.....Ok, if there is a directory on the cd called i386 I'll go to that directory..... then what? Can you tell me what I should type to "run winnt" ?

[Allanv]

You really lost this poor novice here.....Ok, if there is a directory on the cd called i386 I'll go to that directory..... then what? Can you tell me what I should type to "run winnt" ?

from a dos prompt change to your cd rom drive .. this assumes d: is your cdrom drive although using a win98 boot disk it should become e: but if you have more than 1 hdd ... then the letters keep going up

a:\> d: - press enter
d:\> cd i386 - press enter

d:\i386>winnt.exe - press enter


sorry for the confusion this will allow win2k to be setup from dos, as you found out the setup will only work from the autorun on the cd or from windows.

Regards

Allanv

[Moth]

Allanv,

HOT DIGGITY! YOU NAILED IT! I just tried it, and it's already to run setup again, which I'll forego for now, since it's already installed (even if I don't know what made it boot straight from the cd before - maybe it sensed me tapping that sledge hammer in my palm).

Thanks, man. That's fantastic. I'm writting these instructions down to keep with the cd!

[Allanv]

looks loke i have done it again lol

I wish I could, but the only options for boot sequences in the bios that include cdrom also include the floppy.

on the first screen in the bios where you set the time (standard cmos features its in there ,, you will see at the bottom left

drive a 1.44
drive b none

change drive a to none there its disabled

By this you mean only that I should enable this S.M.A.R.T. thing in the bios, right?

no i mean there is a small dos app called smartdrv do a google search for it and copy it to you boot floppy and once in the A: promt type smartdrv and it will say summat on screen what its doing.


right i think i have read all of your message now

if not post back and sorry again

[Moth]

Long live PCMech and all it's members!

[Moth]

Thanks Allanv.
Re. your last post: Gotcha!