Booting Win XP from CD

[Summerfun]

I'm desperate for help.

 

I'm either trying to re-install windows or use windows recovery. I've tried fixmbr and fixboot codes (as I've searched the net) but nothing is happening I still can't get past the first part.... safe mode etc. I just can't get to the windows on my computer.

 

Please help as I desperate to get my computer working.

[PseFrank]

Hi Summerfun..If you could give us a few more details it might help out a little.

 

Make and model of computer

Do you have an operating system disk?......(Your computer may have a recovery partition)

Can you get into the bios...Is your CD/DVD drive set first in the boot order?

 

Note: To get into the bios you may see something like..."Press F2 to enter setup" on the screen briefly when starting your computer. It may not be F2, but it is often one of the F keys.

[Summerfun]

Hi Summerfun..If you could give us a few more details it might help out a little.

 

Make and model of computer

Do you have an operating system disk?......(Your computer may have a recovery partition)

Can you get into the bios...Is your CD/DVD drive set first in the boot order?

 

Note: To get into the bios you may see something like..."Press F2 to enter setup" on the screen briefly when starting your computer. It may not be F2, but it is often one of the F keys.

 

By make and model - I have Intel Celeron D. Is this what you are asking?

Yes I do have a an operating system disk - Windows XP - Are we on the same line here? I've went into the recovery section into the start section and then recovery. I've tried both ways.

The bios, I think you mean is the command screen? I go into the blue screen and then the black screen. I get into this when the system is trying to boot and I safe mode etc coming up and it rolls bringing up lots of word ... petition.... etc. It runs up the screen and then it goes to another screen and at the bottom it has 3 options and choose from and I press the Esc button to get into read from CD option.

 

Also, what do you mean by my cd/dvd drive set in the boot order?

 

Sorry to have went on but I'm not a techy person and tihis is all new to me... hopefully slowly learning.

 

Thankyou for showing interest in helping me.

Edited November 6, 2010 by Summerfun

[PseFrank]

Is your computer a laptop or a desktop?

 

Was it made by Dell, Acer, Toshiba, etc... For example my last Laptop was an Acer Aspire 5580. You'll probably find this information written on the casing of your computer.

 

The Intel Celeron D you quoted in your last post is the type of processor you have inside of your computer...That alone does not tell us your make and model.

 

The Bios is the part of the computer where you can make changes to how it is setup. This is not to be confused with the screen that shows the options as to how you want to start your computer. These options include Safe Mode, Last Known Good Configuration, Start Windows Normally, etc.

 

When you first start your computer you should see a black screen for a few seconds that will tell you which key or combination of keys to press to enter the bios. It will say something like...

 

Press (Key/combination of keys) to enter setup...or Press (Key) to enter bios. It's different for each make of computer/motherboard.

 

Once in the bios you should be looking for something like Boot Order. You can highlight your choosen selection by using the arrow keys on your keyboard. And then choose that selection by hitting the Enter key on your keyboard.

 

If on startup the screens flash by too fast to read the text, then press the Pause/Break key to freeze the screen.

[Summerfun]

Hello Frank, so sorry I've taken my time to get back to you but I've been unwell and getting net access isn't always easy.

 

 

To answer your questions....

 

I think the screen came with the tower. I can't see anything on the tower but on the back of the screen it says it's make is Sony and the model is SDM-E76D. I hope this is right.

 

I think I am managing to get into the BIOS screen. I have the win Xp disc in at time of booting comp and I get the screen Press TAB to show POST screen, DEL to ent SETUP, ESC to Enter Boot Menu.

 

I press ESC

 

I then get...

 

=Select a Boot first device=

 

Floppy

+Hard Disk

CD Rom

 

(I select the CD Rom) then it has - Press any key to boot from CD (if don't do this then it takes me back to safe mode etc screen.

 

I press a key and then a blue screen comes up saying at the top Windows Setup and at the bottom. .... Setup is loading files and then it says Setup is starting windows.

 

Then on the blue screen it says at top Windows XP Home Edition Setup

 

(in the body of the screen)

 

Welcome to setup.

This portion of the setup program prepares Microsoft ® Windows ® XP to run on your computer.

 

- To set up Windows XP now, press Enter

- To repair a Winows XP installation using Recovery Console press R

- To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, Press F3

 

I have been beyond this screen and I have selected bot Enter and R but I just get stuck.

Edited November 14, 2010 by Summerfun

[PseFrank]

Hi Summerfun, sorry to here that you've been unwell. I hope you're feeling better now..

 

The details on the back of your monitor just pertain to the make and model of your screen.

 

I think that the easiest thing for you to do is carry out a clean installation of windows. This is different from using the recovery console. The down side is that you will lose all of your personal files and images. So make sure that your music and pics, etc, are backed up to an external media, such as an external drive or flash stick.

 

After doing a clean install you will also need to run Microsoft update, and install an Anti Virus program.

 

It sounds like you have found your way into the Bios.......What you must do is to change the boot order to CD Rom first. Do not put your Win XP operating disk in the drive/computer before you have changed the boot order.

 

I'm not sure if you have permanently changed the boot order or not, so.....

 

Do this:

Enter the bios as you did before (No disk in drive)

 

When you see =Select a boot first device= Choose CD Rom

 

You will see an option to save the changes and exit the bios. This is usually F10. Save the changes and exit.

 

Place your Win XP disk into the CD drive and turn off your computer.

 

Restart your computer and boot from the CD.

 

When you see Welcome to Windows Setup choose the option "To set up Windows XP now, Press Enter"

Carefully read any prompts given on the screen, and follow them.

 

If you have any problems, get back to us.....

 

If you have any questions before you start....please ask.

[Summerfun]

Hiya Frank,

 

I will try that after my tea, thanks again for replying but I just want to ask....

 

Is it possible to back up information saved when I can't access it at the minute. I do already have it backed up on my usb's but I'm just curious. Assuming I hadn't already back them up on my usb would I have been able to something else? Just interested to know!

 

Thanks again.

[PseFrank]

The quick answer to your question is yes...My favourite way, and the method that I think is the easiest is to buy a Hard drive enclosure (Often called Caddy)

 

In the Uk an encloser would cost around £20 (Desktop Hard drive) And one for a laptop Hard drive for about half that amount. I think that it's worth it, and use both types.

 

They're easy to use...see the link below.

 

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/hard-drives-pen-flash-and-usb/10845-hard-drive-failure.html#post71605

[Summerfun]

Thankyou for that Frank.

 

I've taken the cd out the drive and entered the BIOS but when I select to boot from CD ROM then it just goes to another screen quickly and then onto the safe mode etc. screen.

 

Any thoughts?

 

I have been told in the past I need a new hard drive but other people have able to re-install windows etc. and this normally lasts me for 2/3 months. It does for now.... :)

[PseFrank]

Ok....just to clear up a little confusion on my part...In your profile it states that you are using Windows XP Professional.

 

I press a key and then a blue screen comes up saying at the top Windows Setup and at the bottom. .... Setup is loading files and then it says Setup is starting windows.

 

Then on the blue screen it says at top Windows XP Home Edition Setup

 

1. At the present, do you have Xp Home Edition installed....or....Xp Professional Edition installed?

 

2. Is there a Microsoft sticker somewhere on your computer that has a product code printed on it?

Note: The operating system product code consists of 25 mixed letters and numbers that are in blocks of 5.

 

3. If there is a sticker, it will also tell you which operating system the product code pertains to. Can you make a note of these details please.

 

4. The operating system disk you have...have you always had this same disk, or have you borrowed it from a friend.

 

I need to assertain whether or not the disk you have is the correct one for the operating system you have installed at present...

 

Sorry about the questions...

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, sort of reading between the lines, and also taking into consideration that you have had others tell you it is the hard drive, though you have managed to get it working for a while in the past, I am thinking the reason for the installation or repair of the operating system not going forward is because the hard drive has finally failed altogether.

If you can answer Franks questions, and if possible to go any further, that will confirm the hard drive to either be OK or failed.

Nev.

[Summerfun]

Hello Frank and Nev's thankyou for your replies, just getting on line now ......

 

To answer your questions.

 

1. I think it would have been the windows XP Professional edition as I would have looked at properties on the computer at the time of stating this, joining this forum.

 

2 and 3. Yes there is a microsoft stick on the comp, it has Windows XP Home Edition with the letters. The code is

 

12345 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX(I don't think it has purpose with my comp now)

 

4. The disk I have just recently acquired is from someone else but it's NOT a dodgy disk they just don't need it any longer and I have the code for that.

 

I don't think this disk is the correct one for the os I have installed at present now that you mention it and I've checked.

 

I have answered all your questions as I wasn't sure what exactly you were looking for in all the info, so I'm just playing it safe but just to tell you the guy who sorted my comp not that long ago used his own disk. I've never had a disk with this comp as I bought it from somone else a year and a half ago.

 

Thankyou to you both and I hope this helps.

Edited November 21, 2010 by Summerfun

[PseFrank]

Hi Summerfun...I've removed your product key details from your post. It's best not to post those type of details in a public forum....

[PseFrank]

The only thing you can do is a clean install of windows using the new disk you have. However, if it has already been installed on another computer, and is not a multiple licence copy. Then you will likely have problems if and when you are asked to type in the product key.

 

Under the circumstances I would suggest going to the person from whom you got your new disk and product code. And see if they can tell you whether or not it is a legitimate copy of windows or not.

 

They may also be able to help you with the installation. If this is not an option. Then I would suggest going to your local repair shop.

 

If it turns out that you have unwittingly brought a pirate copy of windows, then I'm afraid that we cannot offer you any more help regarding the installation of this software.

[Summerfun]

Hello,

 

It is definitely a legitimate copy as I said in my above post and I know by looking at it. Well, it looks like the real thng and I was told it is. The guy uses a newer version of windows now.

 

They knew I needed it to install windows and I have the product key.

 

I'd like to install it myself that is why I am here. I do I go about doing that please?

[PseFrank]

I realize that the disk you have originated from Microsoft. But the point I didn't explain very well is that if this copy (Your disk) has already been installed on another computer using the product key that you have been given. And it is the product key that is the important part here. Then you may have problems when you insert the disk.

 

This link from Microsoft should help you out....

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx

[Plastic Nev]

I think perhaps a bit more explanation of software licensing is needed here.

Microsoft are very specific about how a copy of any operating system is used and I must point out that at no time do you or any one else actually own the operating system. That goes for any software as well, you are only licensed to use that copy.

So if someone else bought a license for, as in this case XP home, and installed it on a computer, once installed has to be activated and then registered with Microsoft, and to the original person who bought the licence.

He or she cannot then pass on that copy, even if it has been uninstalled from the original computer, at least not legally.

If that copy is installed again and on a different computer, especially not the original machine, at the point when it has to be registered, even though it may activate OK, it will be flagged up as a possibly pirated copy, Microsoft will then refuse any rights to it.

Although it is a bit like treading through treacle, I suggest fully reading Microsofts licensing conditions to fully understand what can and can't be done with any copy of any of their operating systems. Have a look here=

 

MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION (RETAIL) END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR MICROSOFT SOFTWARE

 

That is for XP home, but the same terms and conditions apply for most all operating systems.

However a quick edit to add, please take notice of section 13 as this may apply, if the software is transferred, and the previous user has removed all traces of it, it is possible to do, however, though it doesn't say so in the EULA, you may still have to get in touch with Microsoft and explain all the circumstances before they will allow full activation.

 

Legally speaking, installing any operating system from Microsoft is not quite as easy as putting a record on a record player, or a CD into a CD player.

Believe me they have it tied up in some very secure knots in order to try and prevent pirated copies from being used under the copyright laws.

Nev.