problems installing XP

[tidlenee]

trying to install Windows XP Professional

however it says the file asms is not detected on the disks and i cannot skip this part

i have tried a few different disks and on both disk drives and nothing is working... any ideas?

[Paul Komski]

There is a MSKB on this issue at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=311755

But are you trying to install from within Windows or by booting to the Windows Installation CD? Try the latter if you have been trying the former - and if the former then which version of Windows are you intending to upgrade?

[Theo]

Tidlenee,

Did this solv your problem? I tried to install XP from CD-Rom, followed the instructions but didn't get it work.

Now i'm installing W98 first and will try the upgrade.

[Sylvander]

"Now I'm installing W98 first and will try the upgrade"
It's a good idea to create multiple partitions and format them.
Post #4 on the EBCD thread shows how I used the EBCD File Manager to copy the Win98[SE] files to a partition other than C: [in fact G:] and then use "File Manager" to run the installation program from there [it's faster than a CD-drive, and running a Windows install in DOS is very safe].
You could then use the installed Win98 to copy the WinXP files from the CD to a partition other than C: and run the XP installation from there using Windows98 [I tried using the EBCD "File Manager" to run the Win2000pro installation file and it couldn't do it; cannot run the file in DOS, had to use Windows98SE to run it].
It's worth learning how to use the EBCD File Manager; it can do lots of useful things...
Like browsing the files on a drive, or copying files from one drive to another, or deleting files & folders [all without booting Windows].

Run the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/advisor.mspx) in Win98 to check that all is compatible with WinXP before you attempt to upgrade.

1. How to make a free “Smart Boot Manager” floppy
http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=41498
This makes it easier to boot a chosen drive [particularly the one holding the EBCD].

2. How to make a free EBCD bootable CD
http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=41485
This has a number of useful utilities included including "Image" [for DOS, by Terabyte] & "File Manager".