Can't boot from CD

Phyco_Can

Phyco_Can

New Member
I installed XP Pro but when I call to confirm the Product ID, the numbers are not in the system. When I go to reinstall it, to boot from CD, it says to press any key. I press all the keys I can but it won't go to the setup screen. The keyboard works fine b/c it can input numbers on the XP Activation screen.

Can anyone help me?
 
Tell me... do you have a USB Keyboard and if so is Legacy USB enabled in your BIOS?

In fact can you even get into your BIOS?

Thanks
Hellbreather.
 
Yes, I have a USB Keyboard and can also access the BIOS. The problem is when it says to press any key to boot from CD, it loads those little dots and I press keys as much as I can. I dunno, if this is the answer but I think b/c I haven't inputed the Activation Key, Windows is locking me down. It may sound a bit paranoid, but what else can be the answer?
 
All I want to do is reformat the drive and Install WinXP. The problem is I can't press "any" keys for the five seconds I have to press "any" key.

The desktop is locked due to the fact that I have to "activate windows" and if I click "later" I get sent back to the log-in screen.
 
instead of pressing any key, go into your bios and make the cd drive as first boot, if you do it this way you will have to go back in and change it back to the harddrive after the first restart or you will get the boot loop
 
I've tried that many times too. When I set CD for primary boot, I still get the problem. I'm using an AMD Proc, is there a way I can go to a cmd prompt and setup from there?
 
I've run into this problem personally many times.

The fact that you get to the "dot dot dots" means you are already booting from the CD. It's the installer program hanging that is the problem. This could be a million problems, but it's most likely a problem with the partition itself. If you have a damaged or "non-Microsoft" partition, it'll hang just like that. The only option is to use a different tool to wipe the drive. FDisk is pretty standard. I prefer to use a Linux LiveCD, so I can have a pretty GUI to work with, but it's not necessary.
 
Well if that is the problem, download hirens boot cd (search in google) and using some tool like "Active KillDisk" and wipe your hard drive, then try again.
 
duane534 said:
I've run into this problem personally many times.

The fact that you get to the "dot dot dots" means you are already booting from the CD. It's the installer program hanging that is the problem. This could be a million problems, but it's most likely a problem with the partition itself. If you have a damaged or "non-Microsoft" partition, it'll hang just like that. The only option is to use a different tool to wipe the drive. FDisk is pretty standard. I prefer to use a Linux LiveCD, so I can have a pretty GUI to work with, but it's not necessary.
Click to expand...

I can get into XP but it wants me to "activate windows" when I log on. I call the 1-888 number and my activation numbers aren't in "their" system. Thats why I want to start all over. It could be b/c I installed the wrong XP (Dell). My friend told me to install another XP CD he had laying around. (I used the key from one XP CD for the Dell XP CD).

I'm going to try the Win98 Boot on Floppy. I'll let you know what happeneds.
 
When I boot with floppy on (even when floppy is set on all 3 boots) it still goes to the WinXP logon screen. I did notice in the Bios that Seek Floppy is disabled. Should I enable it? Also, there is another option that says "Boot other device" and thats enabled.
 
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