XP Install questions.

[Dogdaysdude]

Hi, all. I have a couple questions about installing Windows XP Home. I have the cd, but am not quite ready to install yet. I intend to do a clean install. Running Win 98 now on a Dell XPS R400 upgraded to a 1.2Ghz Powerleap.
1. If I have a CD-Writing drive and also a CD-ROM drive and set my bios to boot from the CD, which one will it look to boot from? (The writer is on motherboard IDE 1, and the cd-rom is on the motherboard IDE 2 channel.)

2. I look at the root directory of the XP CD and I don't see any boot files. Is there some other way it boots, other than command.com and other system files in the root dir.?

3. I have 2 hard drives going to a Promise Ultra 100 Tx2 IDE controller. Are there any special considerations concerning installing XP? I read at an internet site that UDMA controllers may cause an error message. (Can't find where now.)
Thanks much.



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"I try to think but nuthin' happens!" - Curly

[mjc]

1. You should be given a choice in the boot order section as to which one you want to set first in the line-up.

2. There should be a file named 'bootimg.bin' or something similar...that is what provides the boot files.

3. Are the drives on the Promise card the boot drive or just data? If one of them is the boot drive then you may need to move it to the mobo connector for the install and then move it back to the card (and edit some boot files if you do go with a dual boot).

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[hiredgoonz]

1. It will probably check the master cdrom first and then slave if there is no choice between cdrom0 and cdrom1 in the bios.

2. covered

3. I installed XP to two systems that booted from a drive on an ATA100 card with no problems at all...I think you'll be fine

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When all else fails, read the instructions.

Microsoft Knowledge Base (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;rid;kbinfo)

Drivers (http://www.driverguide.com)

Google (http://www.google.com)

[Dogdaysdude]

Thanks, guys. One more question...
Concerning Installing XP Full Version, is there an option to Fdisk and Format with it as there is with the Upgrade? Can I do that from the XP CD?
(In other words, I don't want to add XP as a dual boot OS, I want to do fdisk, format, clean install.) But I'm wondering if I need to remove the old OS first myself or if the Full Version CD offers the option of dong an fdisk & format?


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"I try to think but nuthin' happens!" - Curly

[hiredgoonz]

If you boot from the XP cd it will give you the option of repartitioning, formatting the drive/s

------------------
When all else fails, read the instructions.

Microsoft Knowledge Base (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;rid;kbinfo)

Drivers (http://www.driverguide.com)

Google (http://www.google.com)