Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: myswtsins on December 29, 2008, 12:14:33 PM

Title: Trying to reformat from XP disk, instant error
Post by: myswtsins on December 29, 2008, 12:14:33 PM

Hello.  I want to reformat my PC because I am giving it to my mother plus it is getting old (maybe 5yrs) and running slow.  I set BIOS to boot from disk first but as soon as I see something that says something like "windows setup" I get this message...."file\i386\ntkrnlmp.exe could not be loaded.  error code is 1024".  I have also recently not been able to pull up a DOS prompt from run, cmd. 
"C:WINDOWS\system32\command.com
C:WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT.  The system file is not suitable for running MS_DOS & Microsoft Windows applications.  Choose 'Close' to terminate the application"


I run CA Internet security suite (cablevision) but as I was typing this I got a popup saying that like 54 threats were removed & 157,839 attempts to connect to my computer were blocked.  I have a wired network setup in my home including 2 PCs & an Xbox. 

Any ideas what is going on here?

Title: Re: Trying to reformat from XP disk, instant error
Post by: Broni on December 29, 2008, 09:59:59 PM

Are you talking about two computers, or one?

Title: Re: Trying to reformat from XP disk, instant error
Post by: myswtsins on December 29, 2008, 10:09:50 PM

1 PC

Title: Re: Trying to reformat from XP disk, instant error
Post by: patio on December 29, 2008, 10:09:56 PM

And is this an XP CD or a sharpie version ? ?

Title: Re: Trying to reformat from XP disk, instant error
Post by: myswtsins on December 29, 2008, 10:33:28 PM

Original XP disk that came with the PC.

Title: Re: Trying to reformat from XP disk, instant error
Post by: patio on December 31, 2008, 08:38:17 AM

You should be able to simply boot to the XP CD and start the installation...there is a selection to remove and re-create a new partition...this will erase all data on the drive.

Title: Re: Trying to reformat from XP disk, instant error
Post by: myswtsins on December 31, 2008, 09:37:22 AM

As soon as the disk begins to boot I get that error message.  I can't get anywhere (where set to boot from cd-rom 1st) before I get that message.

Title: Re: Trying to reformat from XP disk, instant error
Post by: JJ 3000 on December 31, 2008, 11:07:27 AM

Have you tried cleaning the CD?
Do you have another bootable disk you can try, just to rule out the drive as the culprit?

Title: Re: Trying to reformat from XP disk, instant error
Post by: myswtsins on December 31, 2008, 01:42:58 PM

Well I only have 1 cd-rom drive but I have tried 2 different XP disks with the same results.

Title: Re: Trying to reformat from XP disk, instant error
Post by: Broni on December 31, 2008, 05:49:50 PM

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318729 points to incorrect BIOS settings, or bad RAM.