compaq xp install problem

siuhrebel · #1 08-18-2004, 10:58 AM

How do I install windows xp on a compaq computer? I am not using the restore disk. I am trying to do a clean install. After I formated the hard drive and the computer does it's first restart, to get into the windows setup it just goes to a black screen and a blinking cursor in the top left hand corner. Or it just goes back to the begining and ask if I want to format hard drive. Does compaq have some kind of whatever that can stop me from doing this? My friend is also having the same problem with his compaq computer. Any help will be appreciated.
Thank you

Overclocked Doc · #2 08-18-2004, 06:11 PM

Try changing the boot order in bios so that the computer starts from the cd drive. Compaqs are usually very easy to upgrade or reinstall new operating systems. Be sure your XP cd is in the cd drive before you shutdown and restart.

siuhrebel · #3 08-18-2004, 06:42 PM

I did change the bios to boot from the cd rom. Sorry I did not mention that. But the thing is that it's just not one computer. My son is having the same problem with his compaq computer. The Xp cd is in the cd drive when it restarts.

Thanks anyway

Overclocked Doc · #4 08-18-2004, 06:47 PM

how old are these machines and what model?

A sure fix would be to download a set of "startup disks" from Microsoft. They are intented to work on any machine that won't otherwise start via the cd.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;q310994

siuhrebel · #5 08-19-2004, 11:07 AM

Thank you for the info. I went to the site and it said to use these disk on computers that can not boot from the cd rom. This computer can. It just stalls after the first computer reset after installing all of the files to get it ready for windows xp setup. Or it just goes back to the begining. I used the compaq restore disk to install windows me and then I just upgraded to windows xp pro. Which it only gave me the option to upgrade instead of clean install. Which I thought was weird. But that was not the way I wanted to go. I wanted a clean install. I just don't get it. I've done a lot of hard drive formats with out any problems. But this is just getting to me. I hate to have to give the computer back to the person like this. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the computer now, but just the thought of having to have installed xp like this bothers me. If you have any other ideas please share them with me.
Thanks again
siuhrebel

compaq presario
pentium 4 1.8?
40 gig hard drive
256 ram