computer wont boot from cd

[red12049]

I'm somewhat amazed. The original poster stated quite clearly that he tried to install from within the operating system, and could not.

and to answer a previous question while im in windows i can see the contents of the cds but it wont allow me to install them from there

A boot floppy was necessary to load a minimal operating system to read the contents of the CD drive, and enable the operator to interact with it, on machines that did not have the capability to be set to boot from CD. While it is technically feasible in this case, it adds an extra step, and from the OP's description, probably wouldn't work either.

To the OP: You have a CD/CD drive/IDE cable/IDE port problem. Happy troubleshooting.

Rick

 

[MobileTechie]

Could well be right but what sort of CD drive problem allows the reading of CDs inside the OS?

it would help if he could explain what "wont allow me to install them from there" actually means.

I've had plenty of older laptops not be able to boot from XP disks. I can't remember what I did exactly but I do remember having to install Windows 2000 on the last one and then install XP from inside it for some reason.

 

[red12049]

Could well be right but what sort of CD drive problem allows the reading of CDs inside the OS?

it would help if he could explain what "wont allow me to install them from there" actually means.

I've had plenty of older laptops not be able to boot from XP disks. I can't remember what I did exactly but I do remember having to install Windows 2000 on the last one and then install XP from inside it for some reason.

Bad or partially plugged IDE cable can do that. Bent pins in the IDE connector on the MB or CD can have the same effect.

A drive that won't spin up fast enough to start apps can have a similar problem. You'll eventually get a directory listing, but no programs will run.

Rick

 

[ATTech]

Could well be right but what sort of CD drive problem allows the reading of CDs inside the OS?

it would help if he could explain what "wont allow me to install them from there" actually means.

I've had plenty of older laptops not be able to boot from XP disks. I can't remember what I did exactly but I do remember having to install Windows 2000 on the last one and then install XP from inside it for some reason.

The laser's movement is impeded enough to be able to read the main contents, but not the boot image? A failing drive isn't necessarily going to be all or nothing.

 

[JAY]

I'm somewhat amazed. The original poster stated quite clearly that he tried to install from within the operating system, and could not.

Doesn't have to install from a CD within the operating system. Obviously if there actually is a fault with the drive this should be addressed first.

 

[BigJohnJ]

I recall the Original XP back in 2001 had a six disk boot set that had to be loaded prior to being able to use the cd to install XP.

I haven't looked for this six disk boot set in years but was available online at one time.

 

[devinmccloud]

I have seen this on older machines. Why it happens, I'm not sure. Possible the CD drive itself and the age. Usually, 1998 and below cd-roms have been the problem for me. Strangely they can read the media just not boot from it. You did not mention whether you were using an original OS disc. That might be the problem. First, try a different drive. There's another way that I use for system that don't have floppy/usb/cd-rom capabilities (HP Vectra's). That is to do a partial install from another system and then complete the install on that system. Obviously, this is a last resort if you were left with no other options. It good knowledge to have either way..so here goes:

1) Install the hard drive as a slave in another working desktop system.
2) Format the drive. I just did a quick NTFS format, doesn't seem to matter.

3) Insert your windows cd in the drive, and exit when it pops up asking what you want to do.

4) Go to "My Computer" and look at the drive letters of the CD-rom/DVD containing the XP disk, and also the drive letter of the hard drive you are installing to(slave).

5) Assuming the hard drive is "E" and the XP cd is in "D:", go to the run command and type (or cut and paste):

D:\I386\winnt32.exe /syspart:E: /tempdrive:E: /makelocalsource /noreboot

6) setup will begin and ask you if you want to upgrade or full install, make sure it is FULL INSTALL. It will then ask you for a few more things including the CD key.

7) When it goes back to your desktop, turn off your PC and remove the slave hard drive. It is now ready for install in the there system. It will simply continue to install windows from this point on will the files on the drive.

 

[mize06]

thanks for all the suggestions, I ended up getting ubuntu to boot and install and now the computer is up and running again and everyone is happy. i was using a copy of ubuntu that i have on a cd and on my thumb drive. I burnt a second cd and forgot that i had the thumb drive in too so i had them both in and it allowed it to boot and install. But thanks again to everyone for their suggestions and advice.