#1. "RE: formatting hd for xp install" In response to Rookie (Reply # 0)
Hey Rook, you can definitely use fdisk to format the hd and if your cd-rom is bootable you wont have any need for a bootdisk. If your cd is not bootable then you might need to install 98se on a seperate partition and then install XP, you may be able to do it some other way if your cd-rom is not bootable, but I wouldn't know it. Hope that helps.
#2. "RE: formatting hd for xp install" In response to Rookie (Reply # 0)
Follow rpeyton80's advice. If your PC does not support bootable CD, you can use the following links to create boot disks (6) which will let you install without loading an OS.
#5. "RE: formatting hd for xp install" In response to Rookie (Reply # 3)
i understand about making the xp boot disks, but what i don't understand is how you make your cd bootable. i changed my bios to boot from cd-rom but all i get when i boot up with my xp cd-rom in the drive is "invalid disk". what am i doing wrong here? can you help out a poor old lamer here? thanks.
#6. "RE: formatting hd for xp install" In response to Rookie (Reply # 5)
The diskettes are used to let you use your CD when it is NOT CD bootable. In other words, change your bios back to boot from floppy then reboot. The diskettes contain drivers to recognize your CD so that you can install to a clean disk without an OS present.
If your PC allows you to boot from CD, you are not doing it properly. Set your bios sequence to boot in the following order:
1. CD 2. HDD 3. Floppy.
Now when you press reset, or turn your system on, it will get to a screen that will tell you to press any key to boot from CD. If you are late and miss this prompt, it will attemp to boot from HDD and give you an "invalid disk" halt.
