Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Installing XP Prof on computer w/o OS.

0 helpful
12 replies

by c13sparks

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
How do you install Windows XP Professional on a computer that has no OS? I built a computer and got Windows XP Professional as my OS, but no partitioning or formatting disk came with it. Can't install XP in DOS using a 98 start up disk, The WIN XPCD will not run in DOS. Will the WIN ME start up disk work? How do I get a start up disk for WIN XP? Having to create one doesn't seem logical.

12 replies

by joe

When computer starts either hit F2 or the DELETE key. It varies. Than change the bios to boot from cd first.

by thechas

As answer #1 stated, you should be able to set your system to boot from CD.

If you can't, you can download the setup file for creating a boot floppy set from Microsoft.

WinXP_EN_PRO_BF.EXE - 4,390 Kb

That is the file for XP Pro, you need a different file for XP Home.

Chas

by dmiles

Using a Windows 98 startup disk would give you the system files neccessary to Start loading Windows XP

The partitioning can be done during setup using the Default install

The following sites will provide additional info
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/

For XP startup disk
www.bootdisk.com

There should be no spaces in the URL

by earl_star

boot with the 98 boot disk, fdisk and partition the drive as normal. Reboot, to the disk, then from the disk run smartdrv.exe. This helps the installation go faster. After that go to the Win XP Pro cd, go to the i386 folder, then run type winnt. Theinstallation should go great.

This discussion is closed to new replies.