can't boot from CD

[stuck]

I'm trying to reformat my hard drive and install a fresh copy of Windows XP. However, every time I try to delete the C drive, it tells me I can't because the installation files are on the C drive. I was told I need to boot from CD in order to reinstall Windows, but I don't know how I can do that. When I insert the CD it never gives me an option to boot from CD.

This is "Version 2002" of Windows and the computer is a Hewlett-Packard, if that helps.

[mektek]

Follow the method in the following link

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000647.htm

[stuck]

It does not give me an option to boot from CD when I reboot, so I followed this link: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000217.htm

I don't know which issue listed is my problem, if any, so I'll respond to each one:

1. It does not prompt me to press a key to boot from CD.

2. The CD should be bootable, since it's windows XP.

3. I followed the CMOS link, and I think this is likely my problem, but I'm not sure how to change the boot order.

4. The CD is readable so it's not a bad CD...right?

5. If the problem is with the jumpers, how would I determine that? My computer is able to recognize and read CDs fine, including this one, it just won't boot from it.

6. The CD drive should be fine since it can always read CDs.

Thank you very much for your help.

[contrex]

1. It does not prompt me to press a key to boot from CD.

It won't until you set boot from CD-ROM in the BIOS setup.

2. The CD should be bootable, since it's windows XP.

Yes, Microsoft Windows install CDs are bootable.

3. I followed the CMOS link, and I think this is likely my problem, but I'm not sure how to change the boot order.

There will be an option in the BIOS menu called "BIOS setup" or similar. Have you got your motherboard manual?

4. The CD is readable so it's not a bad CD...right?

A dirty or damaged CD may still give a list of files in Windows Explorer, but the install can proceed quite happily until the read laser in the CD drive hits the dirt or finger marks or scratches, and then you'll hear the drive seek and seek and seek again a certain number of times and then it will give up and you will get a message saying "bad disk - cannot read from medium" or similar.

The only way you know if the disk is undamaged is to perform a disk surface test or if you get to the end of the install OK.

But we are not at that stage yet. Most likely is that you just need to set the BIOS boot options properly.

5. If the problem is with the jumpers, how would I determine that? My computer is able to recognize and read CDs fine, including this one, it just won't boot from it.

You should not need to set any jumpers. You can get the computer to boot from CD-ROM without opening the case at all.

6. The CD drive should be fine since it can always read CDs.

It probably is fine.

[stuck]

Do you know how I can get into the BIOS and change the boot order? Unfortunately I don't have the motherboard manual.

[contrex]

please state what model your H-P computer is. (See label at back)

[SuperDave]

You should see it at the bottom of the screen when the computer is booting up. It's probably the delete button. Once you make the changes don't forget to save the changes.

[patio]

Re-boot and look at the bottom of the black screen before Windows loads...it will say " Press F2 or Delete or F10 or F12 or whatever to Enter Setup"...you get the idea.
Then re-boot and use whatever prompt your machine uses...they're all different.

Hint: You have to repeatedly tap whatever key it says to as the machine is starting.
Once in the setup you want to go to Advanced Configuration...and then boot order. Highlight CDRom or use the arrow keys to move it to the top of the list...once done press F10 to "Save settings and Exit" and your good to go.

[joshtaylor2]

I am having almost exactly the same problem.  I tried to upgrade to xp, something got caught up in the process, and now it tries to install but can't find the files to continue.

the install screen (enter, r, or f3) comes up.  I click enter.

It says it can't find the eula, then takes me to dos.  all of the o.s. files seem to be there, but format isn't an option.

Then won't boot to cd, (boot and nuke) (windows xp install cd) (spinrite)

 I have an hp4450 98se.  I can't boot from my cd drive now, is the only option to create a floppy startup, did xp delete the drivers for the cd? 

[contrex]

Then won't boot to cd, (boot and nuke) (windows xp install cd) (spinrite) I have an hp4450 98se.  I can't boot from my cd drive now, is the only option to create a floppy startup, did xp delete the drivers for the cd? 

It can't do that. There aren't any "drivers". It's part of the BIOS. One of these must have happened:-

1. Settings: Boot order changed in BIOS so that CD-ROM is not top of the list
2. Media: Damaged or dirty CD-ROM disk(s)
3. Hardware: Damaged CD-ROM drive or badly connected or damaged IDE cable to same or flaky IDE controller on motherboard or corrupted CMOS or flat CMOS battery etc

[joshtaylor2]

When I startup the machine, I can press esc. to enter bios.  I moved my cd drive to the top of the boot list.  is there anything other than moving it to the top of the list?  I save changes to bios, exit, and get a screen that says :windows setup, or windows 98.  No matter what cd I put in it always goes to that screen.  It doesn't boot to the cd. 

Is there a letter I need to press (without them asking) to tell it to boot to the cd?

 The cd's will all boot to my other pc, and my mac.

[contrex]

Windows 98? Huh?

[contrex]

When I startup the machine, I can press esc. to enter bios.  I moved my cd drive to the top of the boot list.  is there anything other than moving it to the top of the list?  I save changes to bios, exit, and get a screen that says :windows setup, or windows 98.  No matter what cd I put in it always goes to that screen.  It doesn't boot to the cd. 

Is there a letter I need to press (without them asking) to tell it to boot to the cd?

 The cd's will all boot to my other pc, and my mac.

"They"? How many have you got? Are they XP install CDs or "recovery" CDs? What's with this Windows 98 stuff?

[joshtaylor2]

Read my first post.

[joshtaylor2]

Only 1 xp install cd.  it won't boot to it, or spinrite, or boot and nuke.

Check out my bios pic.  sorry it's mirror'd. 

[Saving disk space - attachment deleted by admin]

[patio]

Yep it's mirrored all right.
Try again.
Does this XP CD have a bunch of holograms and writing on it that says Microsoft or are we dealing with a copy ? ?
Probably why it won't boot...

[joshtaylor2]

I have 2 genuine copies, pro and media center.  I have 1 additional copy of home.  none of the three will boot.  (the home was an oem)

is it possible that there is a jumper setting onthe actual drive (cd) that won't let it boot?

[getting space - attachment deleted by admin]

[patio]

No.
Are you hitting F10 in the BIOS when you select CDRom as the first boot device ? ?
F10 means "save changes and re-boot "

[SuperDave]

This thread is getting all mixed by trying to handle "Stuck" and "joshtaylor2's" request. Very confusing.

[patio]

stuck hasn't been here for 3 days...since then it's been josh's issues...
But it can get confusing.
Josh just so you know...next time start your own topic even if the issue is similar to one that's posted.

[joshtaylor2]

yes, hit f10. Save and reboot.  Still goes to the screen that says :windows setup; windows operating system.

Doesn't matter what I do, won't boot to cd. 

[patio]

I'm stumped for now...
Do you have another CD drive you can swap in there real quick ? ?
I can't think of a reason this would not work after changes have been made in setup...
Unless the CMOS battery is totally dead and not retaining any setting changes.
They're fairly cheap about the size of a dime located on the MBoard...part # CR2032.

[contrex]

I'm getting curious about this:-

the screen that says :windows setup; windows operating system.

This is also what happens on a normal (non-CD-ROM) boot, right?

[joshtaylor2]

I do have another cd drive to swap, will try that.  I don't think that the battery is dead because the setting is still the same after starting up several times.  (adapti cd drive is first in list.)  If there is no cd in the drive the startup stays the same.

I assume that swapping the drive won't mess anything up?  (drivers, etc?)

Will check back tonight, after swapping the drive.

[patio]

No, swapping the drives won't harm anything...just make sure the jumper settings are the same...
Contrex you got me thinking...it could be hanging because of a botched re-install...

[joshtaylor2]

Botched install is exactly what happened!!  the upgrade to xp froze in the middle somehow, and that is how I am there now.  What is the solution to a botched install?  No need to swap drives?

[patio]

No.
And Kudos to Contrex for spotting the error ! !

Unfortunately the CD will keep throwing you into this loop...
Does this machine have a floppy drive ? ?
If so travel to bootdisk.com and DLoad the WinME bootdisk file.
Extract it to a clean floppy to create a bootdisk.
Put the floppy in and re-boot.
At the A: prompt type format C: /u and hit Enter.
When it asks for a volume name select none.
Put the XP CD in and remove the floppy and re-boot.
WinXP setup will now start correctly...follow the instructions and don't forget to re-install the MBoard and any other appropiate drivers after the XP install is done.
Run Windows Update to get all the SP's and hotfixes and then re-install all your programs...

[elxr06]

if you have second computer, you can put hard drive from primary computer to it and reformat if second compuiter has working cd rom drive.

But you should fix your problem at hand. try switiching cd rom drives and see if you can read it as normal.

[joshtaylor2]

I think that the botched install is the problem.  will format drive and re-install.  I'm pretty sure that the cd drive functions, just isn't being looked at due to the botched install.

Back soon with results.

[joshtaylor2]

So I formated the drive on another computer.  Put it back in, and now it just says "operating system not found"  no matter the cd.  I guess I'll have to get the diskette and do it that way.  I just haven't had any around, so didn't want to do it that way.  I guess it's worth the 2 bcks.

p.s. swapped the cd drive to a dvd drive, no difference.