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    Windows XP install challenge!

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Boissez, Jan 17, 2008.

  1. Boissez

    Boissez Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    I've recently bought a used Toshiba R100 (nice laptop btw) but it is giving me a hard time: It just won't let me install windows (the HD has been wiped) and it won't boot of either CD-rom (which it lacks) or USB (which it doesn't support).

    The only way it seems possible is booting of the PCMCIA port with a PCMCIA/Compactflash adapter - but this isn't easy (I've been at it for 2 days and I still can't figure it out :confused: )

    So is anyone here up to the challenge and able to tell me what to do?

    Your help is greatly appreciated!
     
    Boissez, Jan 17, 2008
    #1
  2. AndyC_772

    AndyC_772 Notebook Consultant

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    When you say it won't "let you" install Windows - why not? What happens when you try?

    Is the problem that there's nothing bar the HDD that you can boot from, or do you get an error?
     
    AndyC_772, Jan 17, 2008
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  3. Boissez

    Boissez Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've tried hooking up an external USB-CDROM drive that it doesn't recognize (and there is no switch in BIOS to enable booting from USB).
    It then goes on to try booting from other sources (floppy, CDROM, network, PCMCIA or harddisk) but since none of them has a MBR it stops.
     
    Boissez, Jan 17, 2008
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  4. shaelheart

    shaelheart Notebook Enthusiast

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    Have you tried booting from a virtual drive?
     
    shaelheart, Jan 18, 2008
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  5. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Go to BIOS ...select CD-rom boot as first ..or USB device
     
    Nocturnal310, Jan 18, 2008
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  6. orev

    orev Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you have another computer, you can take out the hard disk and put it in the other computer. If you're installing XP, you should be able to run the first part of the installation on the other computer, where it copies all of the files. Then it will reboot to continue the install. Instead of rebooting, shut down the computer and put the drive back in the new laptop. Then it should boot into the next stage of setup on the new laptop.

    Are you drunk when you read this forum, or you just don't really bother to read?
     
    orev, Jan 18, 2008
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  7. Boissez

    Boissez Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks orev... After two days of formatting and prepping CFs and thumbdrives I was considering to do it that way but opted to just buy a used PCMCIA (bootable) CD-rom drive. And it works fine (although i feel kindda ripped-off paying 50$ for used CD-ROM drive :( )

    Anyways cheers to all that helped!
     
    Boissez, Jan 18, 2008
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