XP Setup won't start after reboot
 

I'm trying to do a clean install of XP Pro but I am totally stuck!! I can boot with the XP disc, and it copies the files to start with to the disk but when it reboots to continue the installation the setup does not start. I've been into the BIOS to change the drive boot order, I've tried putting the CD-ROM first and HDD0 but no luck. When the PC first boots up it detects the HD OK, the disk is running as a single master, I've tried the Single Master jumper setting and cable select.

The disk is a WD IDE 160GB.

Any advice welcomed

Re: XP Setup won't start after reboot
 

Try a different cd rom drive mate. either that or your install disk is damaged.

Re: XP Setup won't start after reboot
 

What version of XP Pro is it? Unless you have rolled service pack 2 into the XP setup it is likely that XP is not reconising the drive correctly (XP SP1 and below is limited to 139 gig).

Re: XP Setup won't start after reboot
 

It's XP PRO SP2

---------- Post added at 20:49 ---------- Previous post was at 19:09 ----------

The hard drive is out of a TV recorder, would this make any difference?

Re: XP Setup won't start after reboot
 

if the disk has been fully fdisk'd & formatted, it shouldn't do, afaik??

- the default setup for boot order should be hard drive first, imo, if the setup still fails to boot to it, then it may be the hard drive that is at fault???? - I hope not...

Re: XP Setup won't start after reboot
 

As homer said delete all partitions on the drive when you get the choice then create a new partition. You could be left with a dodgy MBR thats stopping the OS from starting the install

Re: XP Setup won't start after reboot
 

Is the hdd and cd rom on a different cable? - I have actually had a sky+ hdd refuse to work unless it was on it's own channel and jumpered to 'master - no slave present'.

Another option is to set it up (erase / format) with a usb2>ide cable from the control panel using asministrative tools.