Windows XP instalation

First..... putting XP on top of a 98se install is not a good idea. Registry entries are migrated as well, and that is only the beginning of the issues. I have found through experience the only way to do that is to completely wipe the HD, reformat it, and do a fresh clean install with the full version of XP.

AnswerMan

This is what I have done. I formatted the HD and I tried with many new HD with the same results.

Thanks.

check that the bios is ACPI, win 98 doesnt need it but XP does, if not then flash it.
Also, try a 98 boot disk, after booting type FDISK /MBR.
Those might help.

check your bios settings if the boot sector is virus protected. if 'yes' disable 'boot sector virus protection'.

I tried all these recommendations without success. I tried again and I followed the next steps:
- I install a new hard disk
- I insert the Windows XP installation CD
- I reboot the PC from the CD, the installation process starts
- I choose the Repair option and then I enter the Recovery Console
- I execute the command FORMAT C: /FS:FAT32
- Then FIXBOOT C:, I get the message The boot sector cannot be fixed.
- After that, I check the disk with the command CHKDSK /R and the result:
CHKDSK is performing additional checking or recovery
The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems
- I exit the Recovery Console and start the Windows XP installation
- All the files required for installation are copied
- The system automatically reboots
- Windows XP logo appears
- After 1 minute, I get the error
A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage.
UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
- I tried many times, but unsuccessfully

I tried many recommendations without success:
1- set the bios with ACPI option
2- try command FDISK /MBR
3- disable 'boot sector virus protection'

I tried again and I followed the next steps:
- I install a new hard disk
- I insert the Windows XP installation CD
- I reboot the PC from the CD, the installation process starts
- I choose the Repair option and then I enter the Recovery Console
- I execute the command FORMAT C: /FS:FAT32
- Then FIXBOOT C:, I get the message The boot sector cannot be fixed.
- After that, I check the disk with the command CHKDSK /R and the result:
CHKDSK is performing additional checking or recovery
The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems
- I exit the Recovery Console and start the Windows XP installation
- All the files required for installation are copied
- The system automatically reboots
- Windows XP logo appears
- After 1 minute, I get the error
A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage.
UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
- I tried many times, but unsuccessfully

Use your Win98 CD and boot from there. Run FDisk and Delete all dos and or/non-dos partitions. After all partitions are deleted try installing Windows XP again.

If you are unable to, try creating a partition with the Windows 98 CD and formatting it. This can all be done without installing Windows 98

If the Hard drives does not format or a partition can not be created then you are probably looking at a bad drive, you can try a low level format to see if that will repair the drive, but I doubt it.

On the Technical Q&A FAQ, I found the solution: I used an UDMA cable for the HD.

I installed Windows XP.

Thanks to all