If Michael Stevens' link does not do the trick then I suggest
you try a basic test that will take no more than ten minutes:
1. Get a Win98 boot disk from www.bootdisk.com.
2. Boot the machine with this disk. Press F8 repeatedly
during the boot sequence.
3. Select option 6 (Safe Command Prompt).
4. Run a:\dos\fdisk.exe and do these things:
- Delete all existing partitions.
- Create a small primary partition, e.g. 100 MBytes.
- Set it "active" (here is an answer to your previous question!)
5. Reboot the machine as in Steps 2 and 3.
6. Type this command:
a:\dos\format c: /s
This will format the small partition and place the DOS
system files on it.
7. Remove the floppy disk, then reboot the machine.
8. Report the result.


"Jordan" <Jordan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6016E968-4AFA-49CD-A746-0C3A04FBCFFF@microsoft.com...
> UPDATE:
> I tried Andrew E's method of reformating and then partitioning. It didn't
> work. I am unsure about what Talahasee and Harry Ohrn are speaking of. If
you
> guys could go in depth a little more, I would be able to follow it. I
think
> there may be some confusion. I'm trying to install Windows XP, not 98.
Sorry,
> I'm not to good with this whole setup thing.
>
> Basically, I'm frustrated, and I don't know what to do. It always takes me
> back to the same screens, and its getting really frustrating. I found a
> Windows XP guide to installing. Basically, I can get to the END of step
> THREE, and then it starts over with Step Three. Here is the link to the
> guide, so you can see exactly what I see EVERYTIME:
> http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm
>
> If anybody has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them, because I
> am at a complete loss right now. Thanks for everybody's help so far! Its
so
> frustrating getting this stuff running, but once I do, it will be worth
it.
>
> > Hey Everybody,
> > I've built a new computer, and I've got all of my hardware installed
> > correctly, and everything seems to be running fine, except for the fact
that
> > I can't install an operating system. Whenever I partition the space to
> > install Windows, the disc copies all of the files into the right
directories,
> > and then says that it needs to restart to continue setting up. So the
> > computer restarts, and then it goes RIGHT BACK to the screen asking me
which
> > portions to partition. It shows the one that I did earlier, but I can't
do
> > anything with it but delete it. THere is no recovery or anything.
> >
> > -I have tried multiple variations of the boot orders
> > -I have left the entire thing unpartitioned when installing windows and
it
> > still did the same error.
> > -I have tried mulitple variations of sizes when partitioning space
> > -I have entered into the bios, and changed my HD to Large
> > -I have checked to make sure the cables dealing with slave/master are
correct
> >
> > Here is what happens when I try to run it without the CD after
partitioning
> > the space: It doesn't boot, and it asks me to put the boot cd in the
drive. I
> > have formatted using FAT and NTFC or whatever its called.
> >
> > I have an ABIT AN8 Motherboard with an AMD3700+ with 1 gig of ram.
> >
> > Can anybody help me?

Jsut so I have it straight...are you partitioning/formatting/copying files
then on the first reboot it takes you back to "Welcome to Setup" and now you
going through the same proccess you have just repeated? If so, do not boot
from the cd after the first reboot...let setup continue.

"Michael Stevens" wrote:

> In news:9D231C4C-F484-4B5A-A228-3E42739BDEB3@microsoft.com,
> Jordan <Jordan@discussions.microsoft.com> replied with a ;-)
> > Hey Everybody,
> > I've built a new computer, and I've got all of my hardware installed
> > correctly, and everything seems to be running fine, except for the
> > fact that I can't install an operating system. Whenever I partition
> > the space to install Windows, the disc copies all of the files into
> > the right directories, and then says that it needs to restart to
> > continue setting up. So the computer restarts, and then it goes RIGHT
> > BACK to the screen asking me which portions to partition. It shows
> > the one that I did earlier, but I can't do anything with it but
> > delete it. THere is no recovery or anything.
> >
> > -I have tried multiple variations of the boot orders
> > -I have left the entire thing unpartitioned when installing windows
> > and it still did the same error.
> > -I have tried mulitple variations of sizes when partitioning space
> > -I have entered into the bios, and changed my HD to Large
> > -I have checked to make sure the cables dealing with slave/master are
> > correct
> >
> > Here is what happens when I try to run it without the CD after
> > partitioning the space: It doesn't boot, and it asks me to put the
> > boot cd in the drive. I have formatted using FAT and NTFC or whatever
> > its called.
> >
> > I have an ABIT AN8 Motherboard with an AMD3700+ with 1 gig of ram.
> >
> > Can anybody help me?
>
> How to clean install XP.
> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
> --
> Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
> xpnews@bogusmichaelstevenstech.com
> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
> For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ou...snewreader.htm
>
>
>
>

Are you certain that you have a partition created that will hold XP? You may
wish to start over again with a clean slate. You can use the XP CD's
Recovery Console to do this. First ensure the Hard drive is connected to the
Primary Controller cable and the jumper is set as Master. For the purpose of
troubleshooting don't connect anything else on the Primary Controller cable
just the hard drive you want to install XP on. Connect your CD-Rom device on
the Secondary Controller cable. When installing XP you should ensure you do
not have any USB storage devices connected (like USB drives) or memory
cards, including printers or cameras connected. These can be interpreted by
the XP installer as "C" drive and an attempt will be made to install there.
Sometimes a barebones install is advisable. You only need to have one hard
drive, one CD-Rom device, mouse, keyboard and monitor connected to install
XP.

Providing all is connected properly you should boot the XP CD. At the first
screen it stops on you should be asked if you want to Setup XP or use the
Recovery Console to do a repair - Press "r" to access the Recovery Console.
It will come to a command prompt. At the command prompt type the following
and press Enter key:

DISKPART

This will give you a screen that shows your current partitions. Delete all
the partitions you see there. This will only take a second. Do not worry
about creating partitions. Leave the XP CD in the drive and at the command
prompt type the following and press Enter Key to reboot:

EXIT

The computer should restart. Press a key when prompted to boot the CD. The
XP installer should see a blank, unpartitioned hard drive and begin it's
identification and setup process. Continue on using the tutorial you've
found. At the end of Step Three the system reboots. Do not press any key
when prompted by the message "press any key to boot cd..." The message will
disappear in a few seconds and you should see the graphical display as in
Step Four of the guide.



--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\\User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


"Jordan" <Jordan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6016E968-4AFA-49CD-A746-0C3A04FBCFFF@microsoft.com...
> UPDATE:
> I tried Andrew E's method of reformating and then partitioning. It didn't
> work. I am unsure about what Talahasee and Harry Ohrn are speaking of. If
> you
> guys could go in depth a little more, I would be able to follow it. I
> think
> there may be some confusion. I'm trying to install Windows XP, not 98.
> Sorry,
> I'm not to good with this whole setup thing.
>
> Basically, I'm frustrated, and I don't know what to do. It always takes me
> back to the same screens, and its getting really frustrating. I found a
> Windows XP guide to installing. Basically, I can get to the END of step
> THREE, and then it starts over with Step Three. Here is the link to the
> guide, so you can see exactly what I see EVERYTIME:
> http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm
>
> If anybody has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them, because I
> am at a complete loss right now. Thanks for everybody's help so far! Its
> so
> frustrating getting this stuff running, but once I do, it will be worth
> it.
>
>> Hey Everybody,
>> I've built a new computer, and I've got all of my hardware installed
>> correctly, and everything seems to be running fine, except for the fact
>> that
>> I can't install an operating system. Whenever I partition the space to
>> install Windows, the disc copies all of the files into the right
>> directories,
>> and then says that it needs to restart to continue setting up. So the
>> computer restarts, and then it goes RIGHT BACK to the screen asking me
>> which
>> portions to partition. It shows the one that I did earlier, but I can't
>> do
>> anything with it but delete it. THere is no recovery or anything.
>>
>> -I have tried multiple variations of the boot orders
>> -I have left the entire thing unpartitioned when installing windows and
>> it
>> still did the same error.
>> -I have tried mulitple variations of sizes when partitioning space
>> -I have entered into the bios, and changed my HD to Large
>> -I have checked to make sure the cables dealing with slave/master are
>> correct
>>
>> Here is what happens when I try to run it without the CD after
>> partitioning
>> the space: It doesn't boot, and it asks me to put the boot cd in the
>> drive. I
>> have formatted using FAT and NTFC or whatever its called.
>>
>> I have an ABIT AN8 Motherboard with an AMD3700+ with 1 gig of ram.
>>
>> Can anybody help me?

OK - Here is an update on the situation. By the way, I appreciate everybody
who has helped me out so far. I really really appreciate it! I'm going to get
the windows 98 boot disc from that website. I don't understand why I need
this because I am installing Windows XP. However, I'll try anything right
now! I will post the results of everyone's suggestions in the next hour.
Thanks again for everyone's support!

Yes this is correct. And if I do not boot from the cd, it will sit at
Verifying DMI somethin and will not move from that screen. Eventually, I have
to restart and let it boot from the CD just so it will do something.

"Ron Rector" wrote:

> Jsut so I have it straight...are you partitioning/formatting/copying files
> then on the first reboot it takes you back to "Welcome to Setup" and now you
> going through the same proccess you have just repeated? If so, do not boot
> from the cd after the first reboot...let setup continue.
>
> "Michael Stevens" wrote:
>
> > In news:9D231C4C-F484-4B5A-A228-3E42739BDEB3@microsoft.com,
> > Jordan <Jordan@discussions.microsoft.com> replied with a ;-)
> > > Hey Everybody,
> > > I've built a new computer, and I've got all of my hardware installed
> > > correctly, and everything seems to be running fine, except for the
> > > fact that I can't install an operating system. Whenever I partition
> > > the space to install Windows, the disc copies all of the files into
> > > the right directories, and then says that it needs to restart to
> > > continue setting up. So the computer restarts, and then it goes RIGHT
> > > BACK to the screen asking me which portions to partition. It shows
> > > the one that I did earlier, but I can't do anything with it but
> > > delete it. THere is no recovery or anything.
> > >
> > > -I have tried multiple variations of the boot orders
> > > -I have left the entire thing unpartitioned when installing windows
> > > and it still did the same error.
> > > -I have tried mulitple variations of sizes when partitioning space
> > > -I have entered into the bios, and changed my HD to Large
> > > -I have checked to make sure the cables dealing with slave/master are
> > > correct
> > >
> > > Here is what happens when I try to run it without the CD after
> > > partitioning the space: It doesn't boot, and it asks me to put the
> > > boot cd in the drive. I have formatted using FAT and NTFC or whatever
> > > its called.
> > >
> > > I have an ABIT AN8 Motherboard with an AMD3700+ with 1 gig of ram.
> > >
> > > Can anybody help me?
> >
> > How to clean install XP.
> > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
> > --
> > Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
> > xpnews@bogusmichaelstevenstech.com
> > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
> > For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
> > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ou...snewreader.htm
> >
> >
> >
> >

Hey Everybody,
I read through a few of the posts again, and I noticed that a couple of
people have said something about pressing a key. I have not been pressing any
keys. It boots from the CD automatically. The boot order has been changed to
Hard-Drive then CD-ROM, and it still does it automatically. When I take the
CD-ROM out of the order completely, it goes to VERifying DMS.... or something
like that and it never loads.

"Talahasee" wrote:

> x-no-archive: yes
> On Thu, 29 Dec 2005 21:50:01 -0800, Jordan
> <Jordan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> >Hey Everybody,
> >I've built a new computer, and I've got all of my hardware installed
> >correctly, and everything seems to be running fine, except for the fact that
> >I can't install an operating system. Whenever I partition the space to
> >install Windows, the disc copies all of the files into the right directories,
> >and then says that it needs to restart to continue setting up. So the
> >computer restarts, and then it goes RIGHT BACK to the screen asking me which
> >portions to partition. It shows the one that I did earlier, but I can't do
> >anything with it but delete it. THere is no recovery or anything.
>
> Get a copy of the Windows 98 boot disk.
>
> Use IT to fdisk and format.
>
> THEN pop your Windows XP CD into your CD Rom drive, answer the
> questions as they come up, install to C:\windows
>
> the problem you are having MAY be that when you see the prompt upon
> the reboot
>
> "press any key to boot from the CD Rom."
>
> You have been pressing the key.
>
> Don't!
>
> Once you have begun the install, you don't have to do ANYTHING until
> you begin answering questions during the final installation.
>
> That confused me as well, and I found myself re-installing and
> re-installing and reinstalling.
>
>
> Quite literally, once you have fdisked (partitioned) in Windows 98
> and you have formatted in Windows 98,
> and you have begun the install with your XP Pro disk, you don't have
> to mess with the computer again until you are being asked to respond
> to questions within Windows XP.
>
> I got confused with this myself early on, and found myself hitting a
> key every time I saw the "hit a key to boot from the CD..."
>
> That puts you in a loop.
>
> By the way, you should only have to format / partition from the
> Windows 98 disk one time to "get rid of the XP install crap."
>
> AFter you do this one successful install, you should be able to
> install from the XP CD in the future.
>
>
>
> good luck.
>
> Tallahassee
> >
> >-I have tried multiple variations of the boot orders
> >-I have left the entire thing unpartitioned when installing windows and it
> >still did the same error.
> >-I have tried mulitple variations of sizes when partitioning space
> >-I have entered into the bios, and changed my HD to Large
> >-I have checked to make sure the cables dealing with slave/master are correct
> >
> >Here is what happens when I try to run it without the CD after partitioning
> >the space: It doesn't boot, and it asks me to put the boot cd in the drive. I
> >have formatted using FAT and NTFC or whatever its called.
> >
> >I have an ABIT AN8 Motherboard with an AMD3700+ with 1 gig of ram.
> >
> >Can anybody help me?
>
>

Jordan:
Read, and then re:read, the instructions furnished to you by Harry Ohrn. You
couldn't ask for a better and more clearer response to your problem. You
were fortunate to have his response. You do not need a Win98 startup floppy
disk (DOS boot floppy) to achieve your objective. Follow Harry's
instructions step-by-step and, assuming no hardware problems, I'm sure
you'll be able to install a viable copy of the XP operating system.
Anna


> "Jordan" <Jordan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:6016E968-4AFA-49CD-A746-0C3A04FBCFFF@microsoft.com...
>> UPDATE:
>> I tried Andrew E's method of reformating and then partitioning. It didn't
>> work. I am unsure about what Talahasee and Harry Ohrn are speaking of. If
>> you
>> guys could go in depth a little more, I would be able to follow it. I
>> think
>> there may be some confusion. I'm trying to install Windows XP, not 98.
>> Sorry,
>> I'm not to good with this whole setup thing.
>>
>> Basically, I'm frustrated, and I don't know what to do. It always takes
>> me
>> back to the same screens, and its getting really frustrating. I found a
>> Windows XP guide to installing. Basically, I can get to the END of step
>> THREE, and then it starts over with Step Three. Here is the link to the
>> guide, so you can see exactly what I see EVERYTIME:
>> http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm
>>
>> If anybody has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them, because
>> I
>> am at a complete loss right now. Thanks for everybody's help so far! Its
>> so
>> frustrating getting this stuff running, but once I do, it will be worth
>> it.
>>
>>> Hey Everybody,
>>> I've built a new computer, and I've got all of my hardware installed
>>> correctly, and everything seems to be running fine, except for the fact
>>> that
>>> I can't install an operating system. Whenever I partition the space to
>>> install Windows, the disc copies all of the files into the right
>>> directories,
>>> and then says that it needs to restart to continue setting up. So the
>>> computer restarts, and then it goes RIGHT BACK to the screen asking me
>>> which
>>> portions to partition. It shows the one that I did earlier, but I can't
>>> do
>>> anything with it but delete it. THere is no recovery or anything.
>>>
>>> -I have tried multiple variations of the boot orders
>>> -I have left the entire thing unpartitioned when installing windows and
>>> it
>>> still did the same error.
>>> -I have tried mulitple variations of sizes when partitioning space
>>> -I have entered into the bios, and changed my HD to Large
>>> -I have checked to make sure the cables dealing with slave/master are
>>> correct
>>>
>>> Here is what happens when I try to run it without the CD after
>>> partitioning
>>> the space: It doesn't boot, and it asks me to put the boot cd in the
>>> drive. I
>>> have formatted using FAT and NTFC or whatever its called.
>>>
>>> I have an ABIT AN8 Motherboard with an AMD3700+ with 1 gig of ram.
>>>
>>> Can anybody help me?


"Jordan" <Jordan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C5E628EB-9369-4BD8-A0E4-0AE7242B231F@microsoft.com...
> OK - Here is an update on the situation. By the way, I appreciate
> everybody who has helped me out so far. I really really appreciate it! I'm
> going to get the windows 98 boot disc from that website. I don't
> understand why I need this because I am installing Windows XP. However,
> I'll try anything right now! I will post the results of everyone's
> suggestions in the next hour. Thanks again for everyone's support!


"Harry Ohrn" <harry---@webtree.ca> wrote in message
news:%232EP6EWDGHA.1360@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Are you certain that you have a partition created that will hold XP? You
> may wish to start over again with a clean slate. You can use the XP CD's
> Recovery Console to do this. First ensure the Hard drive is connected to
> the Primary Controller cable and the jumper is set as Master. For the
> purpose of troubleshooting don't connect anything else on the Primary
> Controller cable just the hard drive you want to install XP on. Connect
> your CD-Rom device on the Secondary Controller cable. When installing XP
> you should ensure you do not have any USB storage devices connected (like
> USB drives) or memory cards, including printers or cameras connected.
> These can be interpreted by the XP installer as "C" drive and an attempt
> will be made to install there. Sometimes a barebones install is advisable.
> You only need to have one hard drive, one CD-Rom device, mouse, keyboard
> and monitor connected to install XP.
>
> Providing all is connected properly you should boot the XP CD. At the
> first screen it stops on you should be asked if you want to Setup XP or
> use the Recovery Console to do a repair - Press "r" to access the Recovery
> Console. It will come to a command prompt. At the command prompt type the
> following and press Enter key:
>
> DISKPART
>
> This will give you a screen that shows your current partitions. Delete all
> the partitions you see there. This will only take a second. Do not worry
> about creating partitions. Leave the XP CD in the drive and at the command
> prompt type the following and press Enter Key to reboot:
>
> EXIT
>
> The computer should restart. Press a key when prompted to boot the CD. The
> XP installer should see a blank, unpartitioned hard drive and begin it's
> identification and setup process. Continue on using the tutorial you've
> found. At the end of Step Three the system reboots. Do not press any key
> when prompted by the message "press any key to boot cd..." The message
> will disappear in a few seconds and you should see the graphical display
> as in Step Four of the guide.
> --
>
> Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\\User]
> www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

"Jordan" <Jordan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C5E628EB-9369-4BD8-A0E4-0AE7242B231F@microsoft.com...
> OK - Here is an update on the situation. By the way, I appreciate
everybody
> who has helped me out so far. I really really appreciate it! I'm going to
get
> the windows 98 boot disc from that website. I don't understand why I need
> this because I am installing Windows XP. However, I'll try anything right
> now! I will post the results of everyone's suggestions in the next hour.
> Thanks again for everyone's support!

I said that it's a simple test that will demonstrate the
bootability of your hard disk in ten minutes or less.
Nothing more, nothing less.

=?Utf-8?B?Sm9yZGFu?= wrote:
>
> I've built a new computer, and I've got all of my hardware installed
> correctly, and everything seems to be running fine, except for the fact that
> I can't install an operating system. Whenever I partition the space to
> install Windows, the disc copies all of the files into the right directories,
> and then says that it needs to restart to continue setting up. So the
> computer restarts, and then it goes RIGHT BACK to the screen asking me which
> portions to partition. It shows the one that I did earlier, but I can't do
> anything with it but delete it. THere is no recovery or anything.

Got anti-virus disabled in the bios?


--
http://www.bootdisk.com/