Trying to Install Windows XP Pro - Setup cannot run in dos mode**

tech808 · #1 12-05-2003, 08:02 PM

Hello all,

Okay here it is...

I was running Windows 2000, and Decided that I wanted to upgrade to Windows XP Professional...

I put in this windows xp disc.. which booted up from a reset.
followed the process of the windows xp pro setup.. BUT as setup kept going, I did not get the option to format my hard drive for a clean install..

*I have installed windows xp pro a few times before so I know a option comes up and asks you to press L to format the hard drive.*

Anyway.. I went though the Windows XP pro Installation twice - and still did not see the option to reformat the hard drive.

Now I have 2 Windows XP Pro and the original Windows 2000 OS installed on my computer.. but.. thats ok and that is not a problem..

>The Promblem Starts Here<

I decided to use a windows 98 startup disk and fdisk and format my hard drive...

So.. I booted with the windows 98 startup disk - typed FDISK
-Enabled Large Disks Support and Created a DoS Partition (max space 4GB)
Then...I formatted the partition, and waited for it to complete.
When the format was complete I typed Setup..
with the Windows XP Pro CD in the CD-ROM. I hear the CD-ROm start spinning

and then I recieved this message:

Setup cannot run in dos mode... or something like that..

Anyone out there familiar with this problem?? Please Help

beeboy · #2 12-05-2003, 08:40 PM

Did you choose "delete" partitions with the Xp install? You then get the option to create new partitions and format.
For botched install attempts, I use Dariks Boot and Nuke. It wipes all data and partitions from a hard drive. It does not low level format and is entirely safe. This sets you up nice for a fresh install.
http://dban.sourceforge.net/

venusnep · #3 12-06-2003, 12:37 PM

I just installed XP through DOS using a guide at this link:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winx...sdos/index.htm

Or try these directions:

After the format type

D:

(assuming your CD-rom is D)

then type cd i386

once you're in that directory type winnt

that should start installing XP

Admiral Michael · #4 12-08-2003, 01:46 PM

The easiest way is to just boot from the XP CD. You could delete the partitions with FDISK and leave the disk unpattitioned, XP setup will see this and ask to make partitions.

If you want multiple paritions my suggestion it to make one partition first, install windows and use a third-party app like Partition Magic instead, it does a much better job.