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Question

winxp pro os [ 32-bit pc ] new install issues

Jan 4, 2013 3:22AM PST

Dell Dimension 2400 Series Tower [32-bit]
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New:
Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JB 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 / ATA-6 3.5" Hard Drive
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New:
OS = winxp pro 32-bit [ sp3 ]
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c: partiton1 [new raw] 39999 MB
d: partiton2 [new raw] 39999 MB
e: partiton3 [new raw] 39999 MB
f: partiton4 [new raw] 39999 MB
g: partiton5 [new raw] 39999 MB
h: partition6 [new raw] 32999 MB
unpartioned space 8MB
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new install .....
problem: cannot get past instructions / pretty much stating ' must ' format the desired partition drive in which
you want to install your os on. i'm ok'ing the request / it wont let me choose anything but c: to
format .... so I proceed on. and once format attempt is finished .... error message stating cannot
format drive [ statement : possibly damaged / possibly not plugged in ] ..... i cannot get passed this
point.

ran diagnostics on hd = pass ................... bios recognizes hd [ proper model and everything ]
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only attempt at loading any sort of drivers for pc boot process =
downloaded microsoft 6 floppies =
windowsxp-kb310994-sp2-pro-bootdisk-enu.exe
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any suggestions on 1 or 2 specific items for me to troubleshoot ?
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Discussion is locked

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Answer
Step one seems incorrect.
Jan 4, 2013 3:28AM PST

" must ' format the desired partition drive in which you want to install your os on."

I've never done that. I leave the drive unpartitioned then at step 4 you see we select the drive and optionally can set the partition size. The Windows XP installer does the rest for us.

http://www.blackviper.com/os-install-guides/windows-xp-professional-install-guide/

Sorry but I wonder where this format prior to install idea comes from.
Bob

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Answer
Re: partitions
Jan 4, 2013 3:31AM PST

I'd start with deleting all partitions, then let the setup make one with a suitable size to install Windows XP in. Preferably, that's more than 40 GB, say 60 GB. That leaves 190 GB for a second partition (if you want to have two). It's nonsense to have 6 partitions.

Kees