xp upgrade

[ammo]

I keep trying to upgrade my parents pc to XP, but when it restarts just before it installs, I get a DISK.SYS corrupted error. Does anyone know how to fix this?

[trulad]

Set it to boot from CDROM in the BIOS. When it boots let XP format and partition the disk, choose NTFS and then it will install. When you get the message "boot from CD" just do that once. Next time you see that ignore it and it will install. This is a clean install so obviously you need to back up your files first.
Trulad

[Confused]

Do you have a full version or upgrade version of XP? If it is upgrade version, you will need a full verion of a qualifying OS in order to do what Trulad posted.


What kind of PC does your parents have. Do you know the size of the HD? Are you wanting to do a upgrade or clean install? How much RAM? What CPU?
Chas

[ammo]

it is an upgrade version of xp and I don't have the disk for the windows they have now. It's an old compaq presario with a 60 gig hard drive, 128MB of SDRAM, and a 1.1 ghz athlon prosessor. I just want to upgrade it.

[Confused]

Without the original OS CD you cain't do a clean install, only a upgrade.

I presume you have WIN98, you didn't say and it doesn't really matter for what I'm going to suggest. First run disk cleanup and then run defrag and finally run scandisk.

You can find those under Start > Programs > Accessories > System tools.

Then try the upgrade by setting first boot device as CD-ROM and boot up with your XP CD in the drive.
Chas

[Lost1]

I just found out the same thing...my ver. is an up grade, but the tech at microsoft said i can up grade any windows so with it, so I'm getting a copy of win 95 for $20 and install that 1st then up grade it to XP. Be cheaper than getting another XP full ver.Unless of course some 1 out there knows why it wouldn't work...lol

[trulad]

Lost 1, don't install the Win.95. Just let the XP format & partition and at some point it will ask you for a qualifying operating system. Then put your 95 disk in, let XP read it and then it will tell you to put the XP disk back in and you're good. You do not want to install XP over another operating system. There have been too many problems that way.
Trulad

[Lost1]

Cool thanks a lot sounds like a plan.I just don't want to spend another $100 bucks for something I don't need.So this makes me wonder about all the problems I had with my old system that I up graded for ME.

[Confused]

I'm sure that most upgrades go fine. We only read about the failed ones here as people are seeking help. But I've read enough about failed upgrades that I'm sticking to fresh installs.
Chas

[Lost1]

I was just checking out prices for windows and saw something...98se costs $10 more than XP,that doesn't sound right.Is 98se better than XP?the system I'm building I'm only going to use it for games,do I really need XP?

[Confused]

Originally posted by Lost1 Is 98se better than XP? Not in my opinion. the system I'm building I'm only going to use it for games,do I really need XP?

In my opinion, Yes as all future games will be written with XP in mind.

Chas

[Lost1]

Yeah I just bought the XP full ver....lol....why mess around with trying to use 2 diff. windows.XP does seem to have alot of stuff as far as games go, I was just wondering why anyone would pay more for a old OS.