Setup Wont Load on Windows 2000

[wojj]

Hey there,
I’m trying to run a repair on my friends Compaq Presario 1245 but I have a strange problem. Every time I boot into setup, it will load the setup files and then just try to start windows up. The setup program will boot from the CD, load the drivers and whatnot, but instead of going into the actual setup process (where you can install a clean copy, repair etc), it just tries to boot to Windows automatically (Which doesn’t work).

I've tried it even with a Windows 2003 CD and the same thing happens. I have went and reset the bios to their factory settings just in case for a session but that doesn't seem to be the problem (the CMOS battery is dead anyways). I was told the CMOS battery being dead might be the problem but its never really been and issue for me before when Ive worked on laptops (with dead CMOS batteries)

Any help to this would be appreciated as my friend has a bunch of tuning maps for his car.

- Joe

[Broni]

What kind of CD is it?

[wojj]

Just your average copy of windows 2000 Professional its not "specialized" for Compaq or anything like that (which is probably the problem). I tried installing it on a Virtual PC and everything went without a problem

[Broni]

Are you actually booting from the CD, or you're trying to run setup from within Windows? The latter won't work.

[wojj]

Im booting setup from the CD. Windows doesn't even load any more. The loading screen comes up but it stays there and never progresses. I just need to run a quick repair

[Broni]

Is it legit Windows CD, or Sharpie?

[wojj]

Its legit Ive had it from a long time ago. Ive tried some ISOs though just for the heck of it and they all produced the same results...

[Broni]

Were they bootable iso?
What happens with them? Won't boot?

[wojj]

Yes they were bootable ISOs. When I go to try to load the installer from them the same thing happens as when I try to load setup from the actual CD, it just loads the drivers and what not but instead of going to where you can run a repair or reformat etc, it just says "Loading Windows 2000 Professional" and then hangs like when I try to boot the OS.

I remember reading a while ago that Windows 2000 had a common issue where the boot processes could become corrupt so Im guessing thats what is most likely wrong (even though I dont get a BSOD)

[Broni]

Is CD drive listed first in boot order in BIOS?

[JJ 3000]

I'm not sure if this will help but you could use a utility like
http://www.dban.org/
or
http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

to wipe out the hard drive and then try to install windows.

[wojj]

Is CD drive listed first in boot order in BIOS?

Yes I got it listed before the floppy disk even. But since the CMOS is dead the configuration only lasts that session. People are advising me to replace the CMOS but I dont see how that would help...

I'm not sure if this will help but you could use a utility like
http://www.dban.org/
or
http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

to wipe out the hard drive and then try to install windows.

My whole goal though is to repair the OS so my friend can get his tuning maps for his AEM EMS off the hard drive and get his car working right

[Broni]

If that's the case, I'd simply slave the drive in another computer, or I'd use enclosure to recover data.

[wojj]

If that's the case, I'd simply slave the drive in another computer, or I'd use enclosure to recover data.

I was thinking of hooking the hard drive up to a thinkpad I have lying around from around 1999 its got a hitachi but Im not sure if the hard drive from the compaq will fit I dont have it in my possession but I'll look into it in the next few days.

Also what is enclosure? I dont think Ive ever heard about that. If theres an option for just using a recovery for data I might go with that as taking apart any old compaq is always a bear

[Broni]

In this case, hard drive enclosure may be easier to use (surely regular HD won't fit laptop's bay).



You put HD in, connect power, and data cable, close it.
Connect USB cable to the laptop, power cable to the power source, and you're good to go.

Enclosures come in two flavors; for IDE, or SATA drives. Some of them come with two sets of cables (IDE/SATA).
~$20.