can't boot xp disk, floppy boot not working either

gnznroses · #1 01-01-2005, 12:20 AM

my computer won't boot from a cd anymore, even tho it's 1st in boot order in the bios. i need to do a repair install of xp, so running the dos winnt.exe installer won't work. i downloaded the 6-floppy tool to make boot floppies and i always get just "disk i/o error".

so my question is, is it possible to copy the cd contents to a new partition on my hd, set the partition as the primary and boot that? will it let me do a repair install that way?

Miz · #2 01-01-2005, 02:35 AM

If you have the I386 folder on the harddrive, you already have what's needed to do an over-the-top install of XP.

Just execute the winnt.exe file in the I386 folder.

gnznroses · #3 01-01-2005, 01:27 PM

i tried that. ran it from dos and it never gives any prompts, just says it's installing and starts copying files very very slowly to my C drive (XP is on D). so i ended up just switching the comp's power off and deleting the files it copied. i don't wanna do a complete install overtop my existing, cause that'll erase my data (won't it?), i just wanna do a repair install which'll replace just system files.

cause my only problem is i can't get online, no matter what i try. tried two isps and very tip i found on the net and everything the isp tech support suggested and everything.

Casper · #4 01-16-2005, 01:31 PM

Hey if u got xp on your D drive that could be causing the issue. Itz usually recommened that your OS is on C:/ drive atleast this is where i put it. I dunno if that would cause the issue, but its just a thought.

If you need your windows xp setup disc you can get them from
http://www.microsoft.com

Hope this helps

Kamex · #5 01-16-2005, 04:33 PM

My C drive is reserved for my windows 98. XP is installed on my D drive with no problems whatsoever.

Casper · #6 01-16-2005, 06:13 PM

thanks for the input was'nt sure if this would cause the issue or not

mississippitom · #7 02-18-2006, 01:47 PM

I am also running a dual boot system with 98se on C: drive and XP on D: drive.My floppy does not work at all.If I save something on it on 98se and then boot into xp it says it cannot open the file and that the disc is not formated.if you go along with it and let if format the disc it will say it cannot format.also my cdrom does not work right either on xp.another problem i have is with a external cdrw that runs on usb 2.0.it runs fine on 98 on the puter and 98 on another puter but wont run on xp.i went looking to see if i could find anything out from asrock the maker of my board.all i can find driver wise is for 98 and me no listing for xp.my mother board even has usb 2.0 stamped on it.

Miz · #8 02-18-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnznroses

i tried that. ran it from dos and it never gives any prompts, just says it's installing and starts copying files very very slowly to my C drive (XP is on D). so i ended up just switching the comp's power off and deleting the files it copied. i don't wanna do a complete install overtop my existing, cause that'll erase my data (won't it?), i just wanna do a repair install which'll replace just system files.

cause my only problem is i can't get online, no matter what i try. tried two isps and very tip i found on the net and everything the isp tech support suggested and everything.

Installing Windows (any version) over the top of the exisiting installation only replaces Windows files. That's essentially what a repair install does. Your data should be fine as long as you don't reformat first. You may have to install some programs again as a repair/reinstall will change the registry. Just make sure you reinstall in the same directory your current Windows installation is located.

You don't need to run the winnt.exe file from DOS. Just run it like any other exe file within Windows. It's not a whole lot different than reinstalling a program.