Installing Windows XP Directly from Hard Disk
I have an old Compaq laptop. Its CD-ROM and floppy drive is broken, and its BIOS cannot boot from USB.
I tried doing the following steps to get Windows XP installed directly from the HDD :
1. I plugged the HDD into my desktop machine using an IDE to USB device.
2. I then formatted it with the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool (FAT32), and made it bootable using the Windows 98 boot disk image as the DOS startup disk.
3. I copied all the contents of the Windows XP Installation CD into the HDD.
4. Removed HDD from desktop machine and plugged it into my Compaq.
5. It boots to DOS. I run the \i386\winnt.exe program to start the installation.
6. The installation completes with no errors and restarts.
When it restarts, I get an "NTLDR is missing" error. I've tried all kinds of methods to get past this error (fixing boot record, mbr, etc) but it still doesn't work. I checked the contents of the HDD and it all checks out ok (boot.ini, etc.).
Strangely, if I install Windows 98 first and then install Windows XP on top of it, the setup runs without a hitch.
Can anyone explain why this happens and suggest a solution that (obviously) doesn't require buying new hardware?
Thanks.
I tried doing the following steps to get Windows XP installed directly from the HDD :
1. I plugged the HDD into my desktop machine using an IDE to USB device.
2. I then formatted it with the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool (FAT32), and made it bootable using the Windows 98 boot disk image as the DOS startup disk.
3. I copied all the contents of the Windows XP Installation CD into the HDD.
4. Removed HDD from desktop machine and plugged it into my Compaq.
5. It boots to DOS. I run the \i386\winnt.exe program to start the installation.
6. The installation completes with no errors and restarts.
When it restarts, I get an "NTLDR is missing" error. I've tried all kinds of methods to get past this error (fixing boot record, mbr, etc) but it still doesn't work. I checked the contents of the HDD and it all checks out ok (boot.ini, etc.).
Strangely, if I install Windows 98 first and then install Windows XP on top of it, the setup runs without a hitch.
Can anyone explain why this happens and suggest a solution that (obviously) doesn't require buying new hardware?
Thanks.
ASKER
Brum07,
I need to mention that the old HDD in my compaq is broken as well.
I tried restoring an old Acronis backup image to the HDD complete with MBR, Track 0 and HDD signature, but when I plug it into the Compaq laptop, it simply fails to boot. Instead of an error message, I get a blank screen with a blinking cursor instead. Pressing any button excessively will cause the old junk to beep.
I've also tried the steps I previously mentioned in VMWare. Same problem, "NTLDR is missing".
I can't simply install on VMWare and then plug it back into my Compaq for some reason which I'm guessing is the Windows installation writing stuff into the MBR and the ntldr bootstrap file.
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I need to mention that the old HDD in my compaq is broken as well.
I tried restoring an old Acronis backup image to the HDD complete with MBR, Track 0 and HDD signature, but when I plug it into the Compaq laptop, it simply fails to boot. Instead of an error message, I get a blank screen with a blinking cursor instead. Pressing any button excessively will cause the old junk to beep.
I've also tried the steps I previously mentioned in VMWare. Same problem, "NTLDR is missing".
I can't simply install on VMWare and then plug it back into my Compaq for some reason which I'm guessing is the Windows installation writing stuff into the MBR and the ntldr bootstrap file.
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ASKER
The CD-ROM is broken. I can't start BartPE without the CD-ROM, right?<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
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Yes but the restore doesn't work (see earlier post). I just get a blank screen with blinking cursor.
I'd like to start over with a clean install of Windows XP. There must be a reason why it isn't booting even though the files are all in place. The strange thing is if I install Windows 98 first and then install XP, it works fine.
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I'd like to start over with a clean install of Windows XP. There must be a reason why it isn't booting even though the files are all in place. The strange thing is if I install Windows 98 first and then install XP, it works fine.
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nappy_d - I ran fdisk /mbr via VMWare and a floppy boot disk image. It still doesn't work - I'm still getting "NTLDR is missing".<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
Attempting to upgrade from a Windows 95, 98, or ME computer that is using FAT32
From http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm
If you are getting this error message while you are attempting to upgrade to Windows 2000 or Windows XP from Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME running FAT32 please try the below recommendations.
1. Boot the computer with a Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows ME bootable diskette.
2. At the A:\> prompt type:
sys c: <press enter>
3. After pressing enter you should receive the "System Transferred" message. Once this has been completed remove the floppy diskette and reboot the computer.
--------------------------
You could try that via VMWare but I offer no guarantee or hope.
From http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm
If you are getting this error message while you are attempting to upgrade to Windows 2000 or Windows XP from Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME running FAT32 please try the below recommendations.
1. Boot the computer with a Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows ME bootable diskette.
2. At the A:\> prompt type:
sys c: <press enter>
3. After pressing enter you should receive the "System Transferred" message. Once this has been completed remove the floppy diskette and reboot the computer.
--------------------------
You could try that via VMWare but I offer no guarantee or hope.
ASKER
dbrunton - I tried that and it lets me boot back to C:\, but I need to run the setup. So I run \i386\winnt.exe again and I get the same result - "NTLDR is missing".
btw, I'm doing a clean install of XP, not upgrading from Windows 95/98/ME.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
btw, I'm doing a clean install of XP, not upgrading from Windows 95/98/ME.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
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I'm currently trying to get it clean installed. Its strange, not sure what is going on.
The only option I have right now is to first install Windows 98 and then clean install Windows XP.
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The only option I have right now is to first install Windows 98 and then clean install Windows XP.
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ASKER
nappy_d - as mentioned in Q, BIOS cannot boot from USB. Its a 10 year old compaq presario 2800.
Thanks.
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Thanks.
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Regards