Windows XP CDs

[rareair04]

Hi guys,

First post so please be gentle!!

I am having some issues with trying to boot of Windows XP cds to reinstall a computer.

Basically what happens is this: - I change the boot priority in the BIOS so that the CDROM is the first boot device. I insert the Windows XP boot CD int the drive and restart the PC.

When it comes to the first boot device, ie. cd rom, it drive powers up and acts as thought it is reading the cd but it then skips this and goes onto the second boot device.

I dont get the "Press any key to boot from cd" message. I have checked the CD to make sure it works on another computer, and it works fine, it has the files etc. on them. I have tried copying the CD onto fresh media and trying again but that doesnt work either.

Is this a case of the cd drive not playing ball, and/or the cds being recorded on different media or is it something else i need to concentrate on? For info I managed to get it to boot up using the 4th copy of windows xp cd that I had.

Can anyone help?

[bassman]

Hello rareair04 and welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif
I will try to be gentle. These CD's you are using, you mention "Copy" but is the first one an original? If you are starting out with a copy that does not work, making more copies of it will also not work. I don't think this is a case of bad media or faulty drive but rather a case of inappropriate information.
Have you tried using this disk to "Update" an older version of windows?

[rareair04]

Whoa! Fast reply, many thanks for that.

Some background first. I work in an educational establishment in the Tech Services side, and we were given a copy of Windows XP for use in our day-to-day work. This CD was not an original but a copy that the institution supplied all the techies with, complete with site license, serial number etc.

It is from this CD that I made a copy to use when installing/reinstalling software from.

Would this be the difference from it booting up from cd or not?

Thanks for an awesome response.

[bassman]

It sure seems that way. Personal experience has shown me that a "Not properly prepaired" copy of XP will not complete the install process. Does the copy you were supplied with work OK? I would stick with that copy if it does work and let the responsible person make you new copies as needed. Remember, when you make a copy in this manner, it may not be considered legit by the powers that be. This opens up your employer to certain liabilities they may not want ;)

[rareair04]

Gotcha! The supplied CD works 100%. Guess copying of off that didn't help. Thanks very much for the info.

[deddard]

Simply copying an XP disk isn't any use - it needs to be an ISO image.
Copying with an ISO image is often done when slipstreaming new service packs into an OS.
- it could be that this disk is just a plain copy rather than ISO

[rareair04]

Hi,

I did slipstream SP2 into the original and made an new disc with the ISO image. But this didnt work. The one disc that did work was without SP2.
Perhaps I need to recreate a fresh ISO Image and try copying it again?

[mjc]

Hi,

I did slipstream SP2 into the original and made an new disc with the ISO image. But this didnt work. The one disc that did work was without SP2.
Perhaps I need to recreate a fresh ISO Image and try copying it again?

It sounds like the slipstream process went bust...and you ended up with a dud disk.

Yes, it looks like you need to redo the SP 2 slipstream...