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    formatting with no floppy drive

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by dolphinsrok, Nov 4, 2005.

  1. dolphinsrok

    dolphinsrok Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm formatting my new laptop :hp: with my own copy of xp pro and I wanted to know if anyone has a web site or know where I can get the 6 xp pro setup floppys on a cd-rom because I have no floppy drive. :confused:
     
    dolphinsrok, Nov 4, 2005
    #1
  2. DownByFive

    DownByFive Notebook Consultant

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    Your XP cd isn't bootable?
     
    DownByFive, Nov 4, 2005
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  3. dolphinsrok

    dolphinsrok Notebook Enthusiast

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    No, unfortunatly it is not bootable. I would need the setup disks to get it loaded.
     
    dolphinsrok, Nov 4, 2005
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  4. Device

    Device Notebook Consultant

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    Device, Nov 4, 2005
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  5. Eutychus

    Eutychus Notebook Enthusiast

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    Are you sure the problem is with the XP CD and not your BIOS settings? If your CDROM is not set to be the first boot device, you generally won't be able to boot from the CD even if it is bootable. In some cases you can change the boot device on the fly during the boot sequence by pressing the proper function key. But, unless you've already done so, I'd try setting the CDROM to be the first boot device just to be sure your CD isn't bootable.

    If that fails, perhaps a friend has a bootable XP CD. As long as you have a legitimate product key, you should be able to borrow a friend's CD to load XP on your machine.
     
    Eutychus, Nov 4, 2005
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  6. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    There is a way to make a bootable XP CD. I did it with service pack 2 slipstreamed into the CD. I can't remember where I found it. Google it and see what you come up with.
     
    ZaZ, Nov 5, 2005
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  7. zenguy

    zenguy Notebook Enthusiast

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    You dont need a floppy to do a clean install. Just set your bios to have the cd rom to be loaded first.
     
    zenguy, Nov 5, 2005
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  8. dolphinsrok

    dolphinsrok Notebook Enthusiast

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    Good suggestion. I did already try that out though. I set the cd-rom to be the 1st boot device in my bios and it still wouldn't boot. I have a 2000pro bootable cd and it let me boot up to that but who wants that old plain look of pro. Another thing I tried is to browse to the cd and I got a windows screen where I can install xp, install optional components or check system compatability and a few others. I tried to install XP and got this message: The version of xp you are trying to install is older than the version on this machine and it wouldn'e let me continue.
     
    dolphinsrok, Nov 5, 2005
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  9. new fella

    new fella Notebook Geek

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    If you don want to waste time waiting for correct answer, this is my, slightly silly, suggestion:
    Load your 2000pro. use it to reformat, partition etc...
    Then use your XP pro to upgrade the OS. all in all it will take 45 minutes mre.
     
    new fella, Nov 5, 2005
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  10. dolphinsrok

    dolphinsrok Notebook Enthusiast

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    Right, they both use NTFS so a reformat would be ok from the pro disk. thanks. I can't think of many downsides can you?
     
    dolphinsrok, Nov 5, 2005
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  11. new fella

    new fella Notebook Geek

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    no downsides at all, it will be smooth....allthe best...
     
    new fella, Nov 5, 2005
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  12. dolphinsrok

    dolphinsrok Notebook Enthusiast

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    thanks, it worked!! but now it bombed while reinstalling the drivers (the thread is in the hp forum called "formatted my zd8000" any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks again
     
    dolphinsrok, Nov 8, 2005
    #12