Trying to reformat..

[MaDfLaMe37]

So I throw in the XP cd and tell the computer to boot from the CD drive... The computer loads Windows from the HDD.

So I go into the BIOS and set the boot list from Floppy/CD/HDD/Network to CD/CD/CD/CD, save & quit, restart, the computer boots the HDD Windows.

So I go into BIOS and set the boot list to CD/Disabled/Disabled/Disabled, save & quit, restart, the computer still boots from the HDD.

On top of all this, I booted Windows in the command prompt mode and attempted to do a "del WINDOWS" and the computer deleted some files but then stopped saying access denied or something like that. Now when the computer boots from the HDD, the task bar and none of the icons show up once Windows starts.

This is ridiculously frustrating, any ideas on what I can do? I hear the CD drive spin up, but the HDD Windows still loads.

(EDIT: I know how stupid the "del WINDOWS" thing sounds and was.. It's been a long day. Please help!)

 

[MStele]

Two things. First, most motherboards have a option to override the boot order at startup..usually by selecting F8 or F11..scan your screen for it. It will likely say it around the same place it tells you what button gets you to the bios.

Second, when you boot from the disc it will come up with a "Press any key to boot from the dvd". If you don't press something quickly it will continue on to your harddrive. Alot people tend to miss that part.

 

[ViRGE]

Is it a pressed CD, or a burnt CD? For the amount of effort you've put in, what you have sounds non-bootable if indeed you're hitting a key at the appropriate time.

 

[RebateMonger]

If you are trying to clean the disk before throwing or giving it away, an XP "Format" isn't really going to delete anything. Data on the disk will still be readable with simple tools.

If you want to install a new OS (XP or something else), the OS install CD will offer to do a format during the install process.

If you are trying to re-install XP, then, yeah, you'll want to get the XP Install CD to boot. Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is working (can read disks) under Windows. If you have another bootable disk (like a Memtest86+ bootable disk), you might want to try it and see what happens. CD/DVD drives do fail.

 

[Blazer]

is the media the orig MS version ?

do you see the 'Press any key to boot from cd' at the bottom ? of the screen just after post ?

 

[daniel49]

bad media (try cleaning cd)or media player would be my guess.

 

[jmagg]

On my EP45 UD3R mobo and Pioneer 216, I need to start with the disk in, press F12 to get to the boot menu, and, wait for the activity light on the optical to go off, then select the optical drive and enter.