Is there a way to install Windows XP from a non-bootable device?

Hello!

I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified Chinese,
don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD (looked like it is
a copied installer layout).

I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows XP's
setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I tried booting
up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's setup.exe but was
denied to install it.

Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)
--
Phillip Pi
Senior Software Quality Assurance Analyst
ISP/Symantec Online Services, Consumer Business Unit
Symantec Corporation
www.symantec.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Email: phillip_pi@symantec.comSYMC (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
-----------------------------------------------------
Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer. Thank you.

Try using the Setup boot disks set to start the computer:

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994

John

Phillip Pi wrote:

> Hello!
>
> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified Chinese,
> don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD (looked like it is
> a copied installer layout).
>
> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows XP's
> setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I tried booting
> up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's setup.exe but was
> denied to install it.
>
> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)

Here is how you can install XP without booting from the CD:

http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html

Now you will have to format drive C: to FAT 32 first and then when XP is
installed you can convert xp to NTFS with the information in this link:

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php

Good Luck,

Joe

Kemco ITP

"Phillip Pi" wrote:

> Hello!
>
> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified Chinese,
> don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD (looked like it is
> a copied installer layout).
>
> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows XP's
> setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I tried booting
> up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's setup.exe but was
> denied to install it.
>
> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)
> --
> Phillip Pi
> Senior Software Quality Assurance Analyst
> ISP/Symantec Online Services, Consumer Business Unit
> Symantec Corporation
> www.symantec.com
> -----------------------------------------------------
> Email: phillip_pi@symantec.comSYMC (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
> -----------------------------------------------------
> Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
> expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
> views of my employer. Thank you.
>

Thank you. I wasn't aware of that i386\winnt.exe trick/method. :) And it
worked with an old 3.5" Windows 95 boot disk. I didn't have smartdrv.exe
to use, so the install will be slower but the SATA drive should be fast
enough.


On 4/9/2007 12:30 PM PT, Kemco wrote:

> Here is how you can install XP without booting from the CD:
>
> http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
>
> Now you will have to format drive C: to FAT 32 first and then when XP is
> installed you can convert xp to NTFS with the information in this link:
>
> http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Joe
>
> Kemco ITP
>
> "Phillip Pi" wrote:
>
>> Hello!
>>
>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified Chinese,
>> don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD (looked like it is
>> a copied installer layout).
>>
>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows XP's
>> setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I tried booting
>> up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's setup.exe but was
>> denied to install it.
>>
>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)
--
Phillip Pi
Senior Software Quality Assurance Analyst
ISP/Symantec Online Services, Consumer Business Unit
Symantec Corporation
www.symantec.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Email: phillip_pi@symantec.comSYMC (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
-----------------------------------------------------
Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer. Thank you.

Six disks? What the heck and what makes this method special? I am using
the ones from
http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
.... and I just used a basic 3.5" 1.44 MB Windows 95 disk and run
i386\winnt.exe from anywhere (FAT32). :)


On 4/9/2007 12:25 PM PT, John John wrote:

> Try using the Setup boot disks set to start the computer:
>
> How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994
>
> John
>
> Phillip Pi wrote:
>
>> Hello!
>>
>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified
>> Chinese, don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD (looked
>> like it is a copied installer layout).
>>
>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows
>> XP's setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I tried
>> booting up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's setup.exe but
>> was denied to install it.
>>
>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)
--
Phillip Pi
Senior Software Quality Assurance Analyst
ISP/Symantec Online Services, Consumer Business Unit
Symantec Corporation
www.symantec.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Email: phillip_pi@symantec.comSYMC (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
-----------------------------------------------------
Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer. Thank you.

Interesting. This winnt.exe installer is in English. Is that normal for
a foreign installer? Is bootable CD method and GUI setup.exe is in
foreign while winnt.exe is in English?

Odd is that it copies files to my HDD. It told me to remove my 3.5" disk
and reboot, and yet I still boot to my installed XP. Hmm. I will have to
fiddle with this.


On 4/9/2007 12:45 PM PT, Phillip Pi wrote:

> Thank you. I wasn't aware of that i386\winnt.exe trick/method. :) And it
> worked with an old 3.5" Windows 95 boot disk. I didn't have smartdrv.exe
> to use, so the install will be slower but the SATA drive should be fast
> enough.
>
>
> On 4/9/2007 12:30 PM PT, Kemco wrote:
>
>> Here is how you can install XP without booting from the CD:
>>
>> http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
>>
>>
>> Now you will have to format drive C: to FAT 32 first and then when XP
>> is installed you can convert xp to NTFS with the information in this
>> link:
>>
>> http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php
>>
>> Good Luck,
>>
>> Joe
>>
>> Kemco ITP
>>
>> "Phillip Pi" wrote:
>>
>>> Hello!
>>>
>>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified
>>> Chinese, don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD (looked
>>> like it is a copied installer layout).
>>>
>>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows
>>> XP's setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I tried
>>> booting up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's setup.exe
>>> but was denied to install it.
>>>
>>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)


--
Phillip Pi
Senior Software Quality Assurance Analyst
ISP/Symantec Online Services, Consumer Business Unit
Symantec Corporation
www.symantec.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Email: phillip_pi@symantec.comSYMC (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
-----------------------------------------------------
Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer. Thank you.

What makes it special is that these six diskettes contain all the files
that normally load during the first stage of the Text Mode portion of
the installation process. Booting using these diskettes will allow you
do do partition work as well as format and install on NTFS or install on
RAID controllers or other Mass Storage Devices.

John

Phillip Pi wrote:

> Six disks? What the heck and what makes this method special? I am using
> the ones from
> http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
> ... and I just used a basic 3.5" 1.44 MB Windows 95 disk and run
> i386\winnt.exe from anywhere (FAT32). :)
>
>
> On 4/9/2007 12:25 PM PT, John John wrote:
>
>> Try using the Setup boot disks set to start the computer:
>>
>> How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994
>>
>> John
>>
>> Phillip Pi wrote:
>>
>>> Hello!
>>>
>>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified
>>> Chinese, don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD (looked
>>> like it is a copied installer layout).
>>>
>>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows
>>> XP's setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I tried
>>> booting up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's setup.exe
>>> but was denied to install it.
>>>
>>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)

Is there a bootable CD version? Say, I use the bootable CD to boot it
off and then change CD OR use my FAT32 partition that I copied.

Another question: Does this MS setup boot disks support
foreign/localized XP?


On 4/9/2007 1:15 PM PT, John John wrote:

> What makes it special is that these six diskettes contain all the files
> that normally load during the first stage of the Text Mode portion of
> the installation process. Booting using these diskettes will allow you
> do do partition work as well as format and install on NTFS or install on
> RAID controllers or other Mass Storage Devices.
>
> John
>
> Phillip Pi wrote:
>
>> Six disks? What the heck and what makes this method special? I am
>> using the ones from
>> http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
>> ... and I just used a basic 3.5" 1.44 MB Windows 95 disk and run
>> i386\winnt.exe from anywhere (FAT32). :)
>>
>>
>> On 4/9/2007 12:25 PM PT, John John wrote:
>>
>>> Try using the Setup boot disks set to start the computer:
>>>
>>> How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994
>>>
>>> John
>>>
>>> Phillip Pi wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello!
>>>>
>>>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified
>>>> Chinese, don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD
>>>> (looked like it is a copied installer layout).
>>>>
>>>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows
>>>> XP's setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I tried
>>>> booting up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's setup.exe
>>>> but was denied to install it.
>>>>
>>>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)
>


--
Phillip Pi
Senior Software Quality Assurance Analyst
ISP/Symantec Online Services, Consumer Business Unit
Symantec Corporation
www.symantec.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Email: phillip_pi@symantec.comSYMC (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
-----------------------------------------------------
Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer. Thank you.

I booted back to DOS with the 3.5" boot disk to see what it did.

It looks like it copied files into my C:\$win_nt$.~bt\ (6.7 MB of files
and directories total) and c:\$wint_nt$.~ls\ (455 MB of directories and
files). They were both in my FAT32 partition -- my second HDD partition
of three since the other two are NTFS.

So, how do I resume the installer? I don't see anything obvious to run.


On 4/9/2007 12:57 PM PT, Phillip Pi wrote:

> Interesting. This winnt.exe installer is in English. Is that normal for
> a foreign installer? Is bootable CD method and GUI setup.exe is in
> foreign while winnt.exe is in English?
>
> Odd is that it copies files to my HDD. It told me to remove my 3.5" disk
> and reboot, and yet I still boot to my installed XP. Hmm. I will have to
> fiddle with this.
>
>
> On 4/9/2007 12:45 PM PT, Phillip Pi wrote:
>
>> Thank you. I wasn't aware of that i386\winnt.exe trick/method. :) And
>> it worked with an old 3.5" Windows 95 boot disk. I didn't have
>> smartdrv.exe to use, so the install will be slower but the SATA drive
>> should be fast enough.
>>
>>
>> On 4/9/2007 12:30 PM PT, Kemco wrote:
>>
>>> Here is how you can install XP without booting from the CD:
>>>
>>> http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
>>>
>>>
>>> Now you will have to format drive C: to FAT 32 first and then when
>>> XP is installed you can convert xp to NTFS with the information in
>>> this link:
>>>
>>> http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php
>>>
>>> Good Luck,
>>>
>>> Joe
>>>
>>> Kemco ITP
>>>
>>> "Phillip Pi" wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello!
>>>>
>>>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified
>>>> Chinese, don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD
>>>> (looked like it is a copied installer layout).
>>>>
>>>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows
>>>> XP's setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I tried
>>>> booting up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's setup.exe
>>>> but was denied to install it.
>>>>
>>>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)
--
Phillip Pi
Senior Software Quality Assurance Analyst
ISP/Symantec Online Services, Consumer Business Unit
Symantec Corporation
www.symantec.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Email: phillip_pi@symantec.comSYMC (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
-----------------------------------------------------
Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer. Thank you.

Phillip Pi wrote:

> Is there a bootable CD version? Say, I use the bootable CD to boot it
> off and then change CD OR use my FAT32 partition that I copied.

No, not that I know of or at least not an official one from Microsoft.


> Another question: Does this MS setup boot disks support
> foreign/localized XP?

I am not sure about that. I beleive it does but I can't confirm it.

John

>
> On 4/9/2007 1:15 PM PT, John John wrote:
>
>> What makes it special is that these six diskettes contain all the
>> files that normally load during the first stage of the Text Mode
>> portion of the installation process. Booting using these diskettes
>> will allow you do do partition work as well as format and install on
>> NTFS or install on RAID controllers or other Mass Storage Devices.
>>
>> John
>>
>> Phillip Pi wrote:
>>
>>> Six disks? What the heck and what makes this method special? I am
>>> using the ones from
>>> http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
>>> ... and I just used a basic 3.5" 1.44 MB Windows 95 disk and run
>>> i386\winnt.exe from anywhere (FAT32). :)
>>>
>>>
>>> On 4/9/2007 12:25 PM PT, John John wrote:
>>>
>>>> Try using the Setup boot disks set to start the computer:
>>>>
>>>> How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994
>>>>
>>>> John
>>>>
>>>> Phillip Pi wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hello!
>>>>>
>>>>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified
>>>>> Chinese, don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD
>>>>> (looked like it is a copied installer layout).
>>>>>
>>>>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows
>>>>> XP's setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I
>>>>> tried booting up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's
>>>>> setup.exe but was denied to install it.
>>>>>
>>>>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)
>>
>>
>
>

Thanks John. :)


On 4/9/2007 1:39 PM PT, John John wrote:

> Phillip Pi wrote:
>
>> Is there a bootable CD version? Say, I use the bootable CD to boot it
>> off and then change CD OR use my FAT32 partition that I copied.
>
> No, not that I know of or at least not an official one from Microsoft.
>
>
>> Another question: Does this MS setup boot disks support
>> foreign/localized XP?
>
> I am not sure about that. I beleive it does but I can't confirm it.
>
> John
>
>>
>> On 4/9/2007 1:15 PM PT, John John wrote:
>>
>>> What makes it special is that these six diskettes contain all the
>>> files that normally load during the first stage of the Text Mode
>>> portion of the installation process. Booting using these diskettes
>>> will allow you do do partition work as well as format and install on
>>> NTFS or install on RAID controllers or other Mass Storage Devices.
>>>
>>> John
>>>
>>> Phillip Pi wrote:
>>>
>>>> Six disks? What the heck and what makes this method special? I am
>>>> using the ones from
>>>> http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
>>>> ... and I just used a basic 3.5" 1.44 MB Windows 95 disk and run
>>>> i386\winnt.exe from anywhere (FAT32). :)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 4/9/2007 12:25 PM PT, John John wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Try using the Setup boot disks set to start the computer:
>>>>>
>>>>> How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994
>>>>>
>>>>> John
>>>>>
>>>>> Phillip Pi wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified
>>>>>> Chinese, don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD
>>>>>> (looked like it is a copied installer layout).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running
>>>>>> Windows XP's setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot
>>>>>> disk. I tried booting up an installed Windows XP, and running the
>>>>>> CD's setup.exe but was denied to install it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)
--
Phillip Pi
Senior Software Quality Assurance Analyst
ISP/Symantec Online Services, Consumer Business Unit
Symantec Corporation
www.symantec.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Email: phillip_pi@symantec.comSYMC (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
-----------------------------------------------------
Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer. Thank you.

You're welcome.

John

Phillip Pi wrote:

> Thanks John. :)
>
>
> On 4/9/2007 1:39 PM PT, John John wrote:
>
>> Phillip Pi wrote:
>>
>>> Is there a bootable CD version? Say, I use the bootable CD to boot it
>>> off and then change CD OR use my FAT32 partition that I copied.
>>
>>
>> No, not that I know of or at least not an official one from Microsoft.
>>
>>
>>> Another question: Does this MS setup boot disks support
>>> foreign/localized XP?
>>
>>
>> I am not sure about that. I beleive it does but I can't confirm it.
>>
>> John
>>
>>>
>>> On 4/9/2007 1:15 PM PT, John John wrote:
>>>
>>>> What makes it special is that these six diskettes contain all the
>>>> files that normally load during the first stage of the Text Mode
>>>> portion of the installation process. Booting using these diskettes
>>>> will allow you do do partition work as well as format and install on
>>>> NTFS or install on RAID controllers or other Mass Storage Devices.
>>>>
>>>> John
>>>>
>>>> Phillip Pi wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Six disks? What the heck and what makes this method special? I am
>>>>> using the ones from
>>>>> http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
>>>>> ... and I just used a basic 3.5" 1.44 MB Windows 95 disk and run
>>>>> i386\winnt.exe from anywhere (FAT32). :)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 4/9/2007 12:25 PM PT, John John wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Try using the Setup boot disks set to start the computer:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
>>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994
>>>>>>
>>>>>> John
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Phillip Pi wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hello!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified
>>>>>>> Chinese, don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD
>>>>>>> (looked like it is a copied installer layout).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running
>>>>>>> Windows XP's setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot
>>>>>>> disk. I tried booting up an installed Windows XP, and running the
>>>>>>> CD's setup.exe but was denied to install it.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)

Phillip,

Sorry it took so long to respond. You should go to:

http://www.bootdisk.com

Download Windows 98 SE custom, no ramdrive boot disk. Make a floppy from it
and start your computer with it. I suggest you backup your NTFS partitions
and format both of them.

To format them run fdisk after booting from the 98 SE startup disk, remove
the non dos partitions first then remove the dos partition. Next create a
new dos partition using all the freespace and enableing large drive support.
Then reboot the computer. Using the boot disk format the C: drive with the
format command.

Next follow the steps in the article I gave you before. First run
smartdrv.exe then run xcopy on the i386 directory and then run the winnt.exe
file. This should get you up and running. Good Luck,

Joe

Kemco ITP


"Phillip Pi" wrote:

> I booted back to DOS with the 3.5" boot disk to see what it did.
>
> It looks like it copied files into my C:\$win_nt$.~bt\ (6.7 MB of files
> and directories total) and c:\$wint_nt$.~ls\ (455 MB of directories and
> files). They were both in my FAT32 partition -- my second HDD partition
> of three since the other two are NTFS.
>
> So, how do I resume the installer? I don't see anything obvious to run.
>
>
> On 4/9/2007 12:57 PM PT, Phillip Pi wrote:
>
> > Interesting. This winnt.exe installer is in English. Is that normal for
> > a foreign installer? Is bootable CD method and GUI setup.exe is in
> > foreign while winnt.exe is in English?
> >
> > Odd is that it copies files to my HDD. It told me to remove my 3.5" disk
> > and reboot, and yet I still boot to my installed XP. Hmm. I will have to
> > fiddle with this.
> >
> >
> > On 4/9/2007 12:45 PM PT, Phillip Pi wrote:
> >
> >> Thank you. I wasn't aware of that i386\winnt.exe trick/method. :) And
> >> it worked with an old 3.5" Windows 95 boot disk. I didn't have
> >> smartdrv.exe to use, so the install will be slower but the SATA drive
> >> should be fast enough.
> >>
> >>
> >> On 4/9/2007 12:30 PM PT, Kemco wrote:
> >>
> >>> Here is how you can install XP without booting from the CD:
> >>>
> >>> http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Now you will have to format drive C: to FAT 32 first and then when
> >>> XP is installed you can convert xp to NTFS with the information in
> >>> this link:
> >>>
> >>> http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php
> >>>
> >>> Good Luck,
> >>>
> >>> Joe
> >>>
> >>> Kemco ITP
> >>>
> >>> "Phillip Pi" wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Hello!
> >>>>
> >>>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified
> >>>> Chinese, don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD
> >>>> (looked like it is a copied installer layout).
> >>>>
> >>>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows
> >>>> XP's setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I tried
> >>>> booting up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's setup.exe
> >>>> but was denied to install it.
> >>>>
> >>>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)
> --
> Phillip Pi
> Senior Software Quality Assurance Analyst
> ISP/Symantec Online Services, Consumer Business Unit
> Symantec Corporation
> www.symantec.com
> -----------------------------------------------------
> Email: phillip_pi@symantec.comSYMC (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
> -----------------------------------------------------
> Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
> expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
> views of my employer. Thank you.
>

Hi Kemco,

Don't worry. I got busy as well and went home for the day.

Questions: Why would I need to format my HDD? I have a FAT32 partition
already for this purpose (access files like Norton Ghost 2003 from 3.5"
DOS boot disks/CDs).

Shouldn't I be able to install Windows into the first partition (NTFS
and overwrite it) from the non-bootable CD? In the past with bootable
CDs and DVDs, I was able to install various Windows Vista and XP to it.

I am trying to do the same via DOS boot disks and running Windows
installer via its DOS GUI. Somehow, i386\winnt.exe trick/method isn't
getting far. I am stuck after it copied files to my HDD and rebooted. Do
you happen to know what happens after the reboot and what executable
files get run to resume?


On 4/10/2007 7:46 AM PT, Kemco wrote:

> Phillip,
>
> Sorry it took so long to respond. You should go to:
>
> http://www.bootdisk.com
>
> Download Windows 98 SE custom, no ramdrive boot disk. Make a floppy from it
> and start your computer with it. I suggest you backup your NTFS partitions
> and format both of them.

> "Phillip Pi" wrote:
>
>> I booted back to DOS with the 3.5" boot disk to see what it did.
>>
>> It looks like it copied files into my C:\$win_nt$.~bt\ (6.7 MB of files
>> and directories total) and c:\$wint_nt$.~ls\ (455 MB of directories and
>> files). They were both in my FAT32 partition -- my second HDD partition
>> of three since the other two are NTFS.
>>
>> So, how do I resume the installer? I don't see anything obvious to run.
>>
>>
>> On 4/9/2007 12:57 PM PT, Phillip Pi wrote:
>>
>>> Interesting. This winnt.exe installer is in English. Is that normal for
>>> a foreign installer? Is bootable CD method and GUI setup.exe is in
>>> foreign while winnt.exe is in English?
>>>
>>> Odd is that it copies files to my HDD. It told me to remove my 3.5" disk
>>> and reboot, and yet I still boot to my installed XP. Hmm. I will have to
>>> fiddle with this.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 4/9/2007 12:45 PM PT, Phillip Pi wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thank you. I wasn't aware of that i386\winnt.exe trick/method. :) And
>>>> it worked with an old 3.5" Windows 95 boot disk. I didn't have
>>>> smartdrv.exe to use, so the install will be slower but the SATA drive
>>>> should be fast enough.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 4/9/2007 12:30 PM PT, Kemco wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Here is how you can install XP without booting from the CD:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Now you will have to format drive C: to FAT 32 first and then when
>>>>> XP is installed you can convert xp to NTFS with the information in
>>>>> this link:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php
>>>>>
>>>>> Good Luck,
>>>>>
>>>>> Joe
>>>>>
>>>>> Kemco ITP
>>>>>
>>>>> "Phillip Pi" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified
>>>>>> Chinese, don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD
>>>>>> (looked like it is a copied installer layout).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running Windows
>>>>>> XP's setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot disk. I tried
>>>>>> booting up an installed Windows XP, and running the CD's setup.exe
>>>>>> but was denied to install it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)
--
Phillip Pi
Senior Software Quality Assurance Analyst
ISP/Symantec Online Services, Consumer Business Unit
Symantec Corporation
www.symantec.com
-----------------------------------------------------
Email: phillip_pi@symantec.comSYMC (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
-----------------------------------------------------
Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer. Thank you.

You can't write to or format an NTFS partition from DOS. If you launch
the setup program (winnt) from a DOS boot diskette you will have to
install on a partition and file system that the DOS version on the
diskette understands. If you wish to format an existing NTFS partition
to FAT32 you will have to use fdisk to delete and recreate the
partition, only then will you be able to format it.

John

Phillip Pi wrote:

> Hi Kemco,
>
> Don't worry. I got busy as well and went home for the day.
>
> Questions: Why would I need to format my HDD? I have a FAT32 partition
> already for this purpose (access files like Norton Ghost 2003 from 3.5"
> DOS boot disks/CDs).
>
> Shouldn't I be able to install Windows into the first partition (NTFS
> and overwrite it) from the non-bootable CD? In the past with bootable
> CDs and DVDs, I was able to install various Windows Vista and XP to it.
>
> I am trying to do the same via DOS boot disks and running Windows
> installer via its DOS GUI. Somehow, i386\winnt.exe trick/method isn't
> getting far. I am stuck after it copied files to my HDD and rebooted. Do
> you happen to know what happens after the reboot and what executable
> files get run to resume?
>
>
> On 4/10/2007 7:46 AM PT, Kemco wrote:
>
>> Phillip,
>>
>> Sorry it took so long to respond. You should go to:
>>
>> http://www.bootdisk.com
>>
>> Download Windows 98 SE custom, no ramdrive boot disk. Make a floppy
>> from it and start your computer with it. I suggest you backup your
>> NTFS partitions and format both of them.
>
>
>> "Phillip Pi" wrote:
>>
>>> I booted back to DOS with the 3.5" boot disk to see what it did.
>>>
>>> It looks like it copied files into my C:\$win_nt$.~bt\ (6.7 MB of
>>> files and directories total) and c:\$wint_nt$.~ls\ (455 MB of
>>> directories and files). They were both in my FAT32 partition -- my
>>> second HDD partition of three since the other two are NTFS.
>>>
>>> So, how do I resume the installer? I don't see anything obvious to run.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 4/9/2007 12:57 PM PT, Phillip Pi wrote:
>>>
>>>> Interesting. This winnt.exe installer is in English. Is that normal
>>>> for a foreign installer? Is bootable CD method and GUI setup.exe is
>>>> in foreign while winnt.exe is in English?
>>>>
>>>> Odd is that it copies files to my HDD. It told me to remove my 3.5"
>>>> disk and reboot, and yet I still boot to my installed XP. Hmm. I
>>>> will have to fiddle with this.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 4/9/2007 12:45 PM PT, Phillip Pi wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Thank you. I wasn't aware of that i386\winnt.exe trick/method. :)
>>>>> And it worked with an old 3.5" Windows 95 boot disk. I didn't have
>>>>> smartdrv.exe to use, so the install will be slower but the SATA
>>>>> drive should be fast enough.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 4/9/2007 12:30 PM PT, Kemco wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Here is how you can install XP without booting from the CD:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://searchwincomputing.techtarget...955465,00.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Now you will have to format drive C: to FAT 32 first and then
>>>>>> when XP is installed you can convert xp to NTFS with the
>>>>>> information in this link:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Good Luck,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Joe
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Kemco ITP
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Phillip Pi" wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hello!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I am having problems in installing a new Windows XP (Simplified
>>>>>>> Chinese, don't think language matters) from a non-bootable CD
>>>>>>> (looked like it is a copied installer layout).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I tried using an old DOS boot disk (Windows 95) and running
>>>>>>> Windows XP's setup.exe, but it says it is not a valid DOS boot
>>>>>>> disk. I tried booting up an installed Windows XP, and running the
>>>>>>> CD's setup.exe but was denied to install it.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Are there any ways? Thank you in advance. :)