Reinstalling Windows Help!

[quirkafleeg]

Hey all,

I am trying to install Windows back onto an old desktop computer that was so full of spyware and viruses it was barely useable!

My plan is to install Windows ME and then to XP via an upgrade disc once ME is up and running. I have created the necessary boot disk and then ran format on the hard drive.  I then tried to set up partition on the drive using fdisk,  but something has gone very wrong,  whenever i type C: on the dos prompt i get a  'Invalid media type reading drive C , abort, retry , fail'

I did try running the setup program from the cd but got a 'Cannot read from drive C:' message.

I'm a little stumped where to go from here....any advice would be appreciated!  

thank you.

[street1 (RIP)]

Welcome to computerhope quirkafleeg.

Why can't you just boot with the Xp Cd and use the Win Me
for proof of earlier Windows?

Probably need to go to your BIOS and make the Cd drive
first boot. :-?

You also need to go to the hard drive manufacturer for
your hard drive and download the diagnostic program.

[quirkafleeg]

I changed the BIOS settings to boot from the cd drive and received the following message
'DISK BOOT FAILURE.  INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER'

Disk (Windows Xp) is definately in the drive and the drive does try to read from it.

Any ideas?
Cheers

[street1 (RIP)]

If you have a floppy drive...You need to run a
drive fitness test.You can download this from the
manufacturer of the hard drive.

You appear to have a failing/failed hard drive.
Download your hard drive test below.

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

You could try active killdisk to zero fill your
hard drive.

http://download2.lsoft.net/killdiskfloppysetup.exe

[patio]

Hey all,

I am trying to install Windows back onto an old desktop computer that was so full of spyware and viruses it was barely useable!

My plan is to install Windows ME and then to XP via an upgrade disc once ME is up and running. I have created the necessary boot disk and then ran format on the hard drive.  I then tried to set up partition on the drive using fdisk,  but something has gone very wrong,  whenever i type C: on the dos prompt i get a  'Invalid media type reading drive C , abort, retry , fail'

I did try running the setup program from the cd but got a 'Cannot read from drive C:' message.

I'm a little stumped where to go from here....any advice would be appreciated!  

thank you.

After running fdisk a HDD has to be formatted for it to be recognised...

[quirkafleeg]

Hey all.
Thanks for the help.

I've finally got it work,  by booting from the Windows ME cd....  strange how it wouldnt work at all from the XP disc, but oh well.
Now going through the laborious task of installing ME then XP over that.....   time for a good strong cup of tea.

cheers.

[GX1_Man]

Is that a shiney XP CD that says Microsoft all over it? If so, and it is not damaged then there is no reason that installing ME was required first.

Did you ever check your hard drive as suggested?

[quirkafleeg]

I ran the diagnostic check on my hard drive and it came up okay.
And yes,  it is an official xp copy.  A little scratched however, so i guess that is why it was playing up.

[GX1_Man]

OK, good so far. Here are some tips for a healthy CD surface:

http://sony.storagesupport.com/mediacare.htm

[street1 (RIP)]

There is a reasonable chance you can copy your old XP disk
and the copy will boot and install where the scratched one
would not.

This has worked for me several times.

Still always hang on to the original in case 'Uncle Billy' comes
by your home with his Wells Fargo Truck and the 'Microsoft WGA
 Valiation Team'.

[fat_basterd21]

This has worked for me several times.

Your Pretty good at copying those XP disks?  

[street1 (RIP)]

This has worked for me several times.

Your Pretty good at copying those XP disks?  

BwaHaHaHa! Hello,there fat_basterd21.

You did good putting the dogs on me.