Ok guys any help on this matter would be freaking awesome.

I had Windows 2000 Pro and I decided I wanted to update to xp pro. I inserted the disk and began to install Windows xp. I got a bout 3/4 done and i had some major errors come up, any way to cut to the chase I couldnt get into windows. I figured I needed to format my C drive before i could install XP so i did so and continued to install XP. I installed XP but I cannot get into XP without putting in the system disk. I have tried formatting the drive and still I have to keep inserting this disk. Am I missing something or am I just stupid. Any help would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to pchelpforum xjman

You say you can't get into Windows XP without inserting the disk, does this happen when you boot the computer or when it actually gets to the windows xp login screen?

• If it happens when trying to boot, then you may need to change the boot options in your bios to boot from hard disk first.
• You also might need to change the Boot.ini file, to do this we would first need to know what is in your boot.ini file.
• Once you are in windows XP could you click on START - RUN and type NOTEPAD C:\BOOT.INI and press enter. This will open up a notepad window containing what is in your file. Could you copy and paste the information onto the forum for us.

There is a problem, never upgrade windows. A new clean install is much better.
Try to reinstall windows by :
1. inserting the windows CD
2.boot from cd and follow the instructions
- to format HD just delete the partition
- no need to type any cmd lines
3. When you pc finnished installing stuff, the pc will auto reboot.
* this time don't press anything, (other word don't boot from cd)
-let it run and a new install screen comes up
... etc (follow the instructions)

If this is done there should be not need for a windowsxp cd when starting xp.

Quote:
Originally Posted by xjman349
I installed XP but I cannot get into XP without putting in the system disk.


Is that because of missing system files :huh:

Ok it requires the CD when I am booting before I get into windows. The bios is setup HDD-1, Floppy, Then CD-Rom. I have also tried to not even have the CD-Rom as a boot up and it still asks for the cd.

My boot.ini info is as follows:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
Does that help?


Also I realized that it is much better to do a clean install. That is why after I installed it I re-formatted and tried again.


Thanks again for all of the help.

Your boot.ini looks normal, is it possible to change your BIOS to boot from HDD-0, does that even pop up on the menu?

Otherwise a definate way to fix it would be to start the install process again but this time delete your partition and create a new one, then format and load windows.

Yes there is that option. Should I try to use that HDD-0?

Yes try to use HDD-0 and see whether it boots.