DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

INSTALLATION PROBLEM WITH WINDOWS XP

10 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/installation-problem-with-windows-xp.542/

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Dr.Mubarak Original post #1
Aug 12, 2004 at 2:41 PM
DEAR FRINDS,

I HAD A NON BOOTABLE WINDOWS XP CD. I HAVE TO INSTALL WINDOWS 98 FIRST TO INSTALL WINDOWS XP. IS THERE ANY METHOD TO INSTALL WINDOWS XP WITHOUT INSTALLING WINDOWS 98. PLEASE HELP
Kl@w-24
Kl@w-24 #2
Aug 12, 2004 at 4:05 PM
How come ur CD is not bootable? Every OS's installation disk has to be bootable so that it can be installed on brand new machines w/o an OS, by directly booting from the CD.
EinSTeiN
Aug 12, 2004 at 4:57 PM
R u using pirated disk ;).
rajesh
rajesh #4
Aug 12, 2004 at 5:15 PM
It seems u r using a pirated version of Windows XP. Thats why it is not bootable CD. :twisted:
Anyway goto I386 folder and run setup from there.
Kl@w-24
Kl@w-24 #5
Aug 12, 2004 at 5:18 PM
Dude, he does not have an OS! He installed Win 98 first 'coz it was a bootabl CD! How do u expect him to 'go to the i386 folder' ?
rajesh
rajesh #6
Aug 12, 2004 at 5:47 PM
Create a startup floppy through win 98.

Boot using it and select with cd rom support.

Then go the cd drive and folder and install it

I told him him to go that folder cos thats a way to install winxp in dos.
sreevirus
Aug 12, 2004 at 7:11 PM
most probably, the win xp setup files must be in a folder on the cd....
suppose if the files r in a folder named WINXP
if u have a cd-writer, u can create a bootable disc.
if u can, burn ONLY THE FILES contained in the folder WINXP to another cd (do not burn the folder itself) so that the files will be directly available from the cd.

no rajesh, u cant run the winxp installer in DOS mode....either in windows or thru direct boot.
aadipa
aadipa #8
Aug 13, 2004 at 2:15 AM
hmmm..........

u CAN install Windows XP from DOS mode

1. boot with DOS (98 bootable)
2. load smart drive (smartdrv.exe) copy that file on ur bootable floppy if u don't wanna spend lot of time copying files from installation media to temp folders, it comes with windows 98, search for it.
3. now locate i386 directory for ur WinXP setup and run winnt.exe from it.

this will allow u to install WinXP from DOS mode.
aadipa
aadipa #9
Aug 13, 2004 at 2:25 AM
other way is to create bootable floppies for Windows XP installation, it needs SIX floppies to boot to winxp setup.
R
revolver #10
Aug 13, 2004 at 2:17 PM
here's what 2 do..

1.change the boot priority option in your bios to cd-rom..
it should solve the problem

2.get a startup disk made 4 windows xp..u should b able to boot into dos..copy the win xp cd 2 ur hard-disk and carry out the installation from there.