How to install a Windows OS?

[ofreeb]

Hi,

I have a few old Dell computers and I'm trying to install some OSs.

With a blank HDD, I thought you have to choose the CDROM as boot device and this would do.

But a message comes up: "DISK BOOT ERROR INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER". I've tried with no less than 10 OS disks but none works! 2 of them are even OEM versions...

The best I can get with a preinstallation of XP is a command line with "D:i386/system32/" but then I'm stuck! I don't know what to do!

Same with a bootup floppy disk, I get "A:" but then??? On any of the machines I can retrieve the D: (were should be the CDROM)...

Ofreeb

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: ofreeb
Hi,

I have a few old Dell computers and I'm trying to install some OSs.

With a blank HDD, I thought you have to choose the CDROM as boot device and this would do.

But a message comes up: "DISK BOOT ERROR INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER". I've tried with no less than 10 OS disks but none works! 2 of them are even OEM versions...

It sounds like it isn't trying to boot from the cd.

The best I can get with a preinstallation of XP is a command line with "D:i386/system32/" but then I'm stuck! I don't know what to do!

You installed XP on the hard drive, put it in the computer, and it boots to that? Or am I misunderstanding something?

Same with a bootup floppy disk, I get "A:" but then??? On any of the machines I can retrieve the D: (were should be the CDROM)...

What bootup floppy?

 

[Xyl3ne]

All the Dells I've ever worked on required me to set the CD-ROM to the first or second (if there is a floppy) boot device. They never have it set by default.

 

[bdoople]

They will not have it by default. You have to change the boot order in the OS. The boot disks are dumping you into DOS, but you can't install XP from DOS mode, it can only be installed via the bootable CD.

 

[Dennis Travis]

What are the models of the old Dells? Reason I ask is, I have a Dell WorkStation 400 Dual CPU. There is no option in the Bios to boot from CDROM. I have been all over the net and everyone with this dell has the same issue. I tried updating the Bios to the latest but still no Boot From CD option. I was suprised because every system from about my 166MMX with old ASUS board on will boot from the CDROM but this Dual P2 300 has no option! Hope you do not have one of these machines!! Otherwise enter the Bios and look for an option to set boot device order. If CD ROM is an Option, select it as the first device it boots from and save it.

 

[fuzzynavel]

Originally posted by: ofreeb
Hi,

I have a few old Dell computers and I'm trying to install some OSs.

With a blank HDD, I thought you have to choose the CDROM as boot device and this would do.

But a message comes up: "DISK BOOT ERROR INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER". I've tried with no less than 10 OS disks but none works! 2 of them are even OEM versions...

The best I can get with a preinstallation of XP is a command line with "D:i386/system32/" but then I'm stuck! I don't know what to do!

Same with a bootup floppy disk, I get "A:" but then??? On any of the machines I can retrieve the D: (were should be the CDROM)...

Ofreeb

When you get the the "D:i386/system32/" prompt then type "D:\i386\winnt.exe" and it should start reading off your CD

Basically there is a file in the "i386" directory called "winnt.exe" that will run the installation....

give it a go and let us know how it goes!