winxp will work off of a win98 boot disk. you can use a windows 3.1 boot disk to format the hd if need be. the operating system has nothing to do with the process (as long as the file system is the same), the boot disk is just a simple disk with the tools needed for simple operations. the win98 just happens to be the sleekest and easiest to work with.
his trouble originated in trying to format with the windows xp disk, why would he resort back to it? he simply missed where it asked him if he wanted for format and install over windows or install another copy. it is a common error.
if he followed the instructions i posted he would have had the drive formatted in 5 minutes and be loading windows minutes later. the only flaw with the way i posted is that he would be forced to format using FAT vs NTFS, but since he is selling the laptop i doubt he cares. (but, xp will ask him if he wants to format it again on install with FAT or NTFS)
there are literally thousands of ways to format a hard drive. the way i posted was the simplest way to suit his needs. he just needs to erase an existing OS, period.
regardless, im not going to argue any more. there are many ways to skin cats. cpreefguy, if you still need help and are on the north east side of town i would be glad to help you out, just drop me a line.
Originally Posted by witecap4u
If its a windows xp disk, you dont need a boot disk, the cd is bootable...dont waste your time. Also, windows xp wont work off of a win98 boot disk. You need to make the 6 disk set, asuming th laptop has a floppy drive.....but why waste the time with floppys....JUST USE THE CD
Put your windows disk in the cd drive, reboot. It should say press any key to boot from cd.....press any key. follow the directions to format the hard drive then continue to install windows.
If it doesnt ask you to press any key to boot from cd, you'll need to enter the bios and change the cdrom to the first boot device, save and reboot with the cd installed.....
cs
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