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i couldnt figure out which forum to post this question in so i just put it in here. my sister just got a "hand me down" computer that is kind of old and im not sure about the specs on it. anyways the computer has been completely wiped clean nothing on the harddrive or anything liek that. she said when u turn it on the only thing that appears is the black screen with the c prompt on it. i am just wondering if xp will install on it and if not what do i need to do?
At the C: prompt [type in ] ver
And hit enter.
Then post what it says.
Another command at the C: prompt would be mem
Post that finding also.
Might look over the computer real well for date of manufactor, make, model number and the like. Cause it might be to old for XP to run on.
ok i wont be able to post back my findings until tomorrow but i will let yall know
Since it gets to the black screen with the c:\> prompt on it, then that would imply to me that it has been formatted using the format /s command of Win98 or Win95 (WinMe doesn't support the /s switch).
At the prompt type dir /a to see what files show up, list them here.
To install XP you must format the drive again without any switches otherwise XP will see the existing files and think that you have Win98 (or 95) on the HD and create a dual boot set up.
ok when i typed in ver i got this:
Windows 98 [Version 4.10.2222]
i typed in mem and it said Bad command or file name
i typed in format (not sure if thats right) and it said bad command or file name then i tried format /s and it said the same thing
when i typed in dir /a, i got this
Volume in drive c has no label
volume serial number is 2D09-17EE
Directory of c:\
IO SYS 222,390 04-23-99 10:22p
MSDOS SYS 9 04-23-99 10:22p
COMMAND COM 93,890 04-23-99 10:22p
BOOTLOG PRV 0 09-01-03 4:12p
BOOTLOG TXT 0 09-02-03 2:38p
5 file(s) 316,289 bytes
0 dir(s) 6,137,529 bytes free
thats about as far as i got lol
what should i do now?
also is there a list or something i can print out or download or something of all possible commands u can type at a command prompt?
Click Here to download an executable file that will create Windows98 SE - Second Edition - bootdisk.
Run the executable by double clicking on it and put a floppy in your A:\drive when prompted.
Once finished boot the old computer using the floppy and when you get to the a:\> prompt type format c: and press enter.
Your HD will now be formatted with no OS files on it and if you try to boot without the floppy you will receive an error message about there being no OS.
From there, insert your WinXP CD and reboot, the system should then boot from the WinXP CD and allow you to run installation.
cool thanx i wil try that out and post back but it wont be until tomorrow
Of course thats if the computer is not too old to run XP as Train mentioned.Quote:
Originally posted by Nix
From there, insert your WinXP CD and reboot, the system should then boot from the WinXP CD and allow you to run installation.
Although I don't know at what point you would potentially find this out !
haha i know, my sister has a windows 98 cd as well so i will try that if xp is too much for the comp
ok i made the bootdisk and formatted the c drive but it still has windows 98 files on there and says the same thing when i type dir /a i got to the e:> prompt and i couldnt get the cd to run either, i have windows xp boot up disks, if i put those in will i be able to start the windows xp cd??? if not what do i do?
If you still have files on the C: drive then it hasn't been formatted properly. It doesn't matter though, XP Setup will allow you to format the disk during the installation. I recommend you choose the NTFS filesystem, it's far superior to FAT32.
You can either use the XP bootdisks to start Setup, or you can use the Win98 Startup disk and from the DOS prompt navigate to the i386 folder on the CD and run "winnt.exe".
ya i knew windows xp setup would let me format i just couldnt get the installaer to run thanx i will try it again and post back probably wont be till tomorrow thanx for all u guys' help
At the A prompt I would first do FDISK and delete all the particians and recreate one new partician,Being C: Drive..Then do the format C: They are correct that the XP CD will do all this for you..just select NTFS for file system..and don't choose the quick option. Enjoy XP..It's the best so far.
Glad to see at least someone (uffbros) mentioned doing FDISK. I would have recommended it first, since globe_shoes is wanting to install something clean. After using FDISK to delete and recreate the active partition, run Format. From there, use the Win9x boot disk to browse to your WinXP CD and run the install program. And as uffbros said, XP is the best so far!
This statementQuote:
Originally posted by jslater25
Glad to see at least someone (uffbros) mentioned doing FDISK. I would have recommended it first, since globe_shoes is wanting to install something clean. After using FDISK to delete and recreate the active partition, run Format. From there, use the Win9x boot disk to browse to your WinXP CD and run the install program. And as uffbros said, XP is the best so far!
implied to me that the hard drive was wiped clean ie partitions etc and that's why I didn't mention FDISK.Quote:
anyways the computer has been completely wiped clean nothing on the harddrive or anything liek that.
ok sorry its been awhile but i ran fdisk, i tried to format, sad bad file name or command, i used xp boot up disks and go to where it started copying files and at 99% it got to mouclass.sys and couldnt copy it for some strange reason so all that time was wasted, i restarted comp and there are still win 98 files on it man they are stubborn, i am going to try running partition magic from the 2 disks and then try to install xp again if that doesnt work i will post back. thanx again for all ur help