can't get XP to load onto new system

[NC]

I just bought a new system, which I tried installing windows XP on. The boot disks download just fine, but when the XP process scans my disk drives it says a value in my .SIF file used be Setup is corrupted or missing....then its says Value 0 on the line in section [SourceDisksFiles] with key "SP1.cab".....then says to hit F3 to reboot.

I'll reboot and it says my NTLDR is missing.

I've tried re-doing this process 4 or five times, and get the same response. I've checked out some threads here, but I'm still confused.

Any suggestions?

Thanx

Are you using the SP1 bootdisks to install XP w/o SP1?

There should be two different sets of disks, one for XP w/ SP1 and one for XP w/o SP1.

If you're getting a disk error, just recreate the floppies. More than likely a bad floppy disk.

[NC]

I'm assuming it's w/o SP1. I'll try rebooting with the SP1 bootdisks and see what happens.

Thanks

Can't you boot from the XP CD? You might need to change the boot order in your BIOS.

You say you're assuming, is this a copy of XP?

[NC]

No the XP cd isn't a copy...but I just downloaded the boot disks off of Microsoft's website.

If I reboot with the cd, it just tells me NTLDR is missing, and to restart. I've read about changing boot orders in BIOS, just confused about the process. I don't know if it will help, or just make things worse.

In order to boot from the XP CD, you will need to go into your BIOS and change the boot order to boot from the CD first. This won't make things worse, it will make it more gooder.

If your CD is just XP, then you should use the bootdisks for XP. If it's XP w/ SP1, then you use the bootdisks for XP w/ SP1.

It'd just be easier to change the boot order though.

[NC]

Ya, I've got the regular XP Professional cd....and am using the XP boot disks. I guess I should stick with these then?

Now.....how would I go into my BIOS to change the boot order to CD first?

[HeadBand]

it is different on every bios but basically

press whatever key it displays to enter 'setup' it is usually f1, f2, f10, f11, f12, esc, or del

after that look through the menus to find something that says boot order and change it to cd floppy hard drive it is pretty easy to navagate if you look around it will tell you

also since you seam unframilliar to the bios i would advise you not to mess with any other settings

[NC]

OK, I went into the boot menu, and swithed it so CD floppy is primary.

Then I restarted, it searched cd drive, and stated NTLDR is missing.

Any ideas?

[Gait_Keeper]

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm

try this