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I did that using Ultimate Boot CD.
I ran the restore disks from my other acer laptop and everything looked good until at the end it says for me...
autochck program not found - skipping AUTOCHECK.
It then reboots... reboots... reboots saying the same stuff.
So I have clean install CD for XP.
But under Ultimate Boot CD is a dos enviroment.
Can not start the install process.
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So I take the drive out. I figure that I can do the slave to my other computer and sys it with the required files to start....
Acer harddrive does not use pins but some weird slide method to attch to computer. 5 major stores and dozens of repair places later and I do not think the adapter exists in france. (Everyone says search for it on the net.)
(**I know think I should have immigrated to the United states instead of france. **)
Have you tried simply placing the XP disk in the computer and rebooting?
The XP installation process will start automatically and offer the opportunity to reformat the hard disk. Assuming that the CD includes necessary drivers, all should be well.
Kaled.
That would be too simple for me now.
I used UBCD. (Ultimate boot disk)
But I just took my very clean and proper installation disquettes for XP and 2K to 4 different machines.
It does not matter what machine or its model. None will start the setup without a BOOT CD. And UBCD gives a dos inviroment and XP will not install under dos.
As my culture is like to do. "Be different and difficult for no other reason than to be different and difficult."
(I tink this was probably done to stop pirates...It sounds like logique french reasons.)
I can not find a boot CD any place.
Obviously I will have to go to service store now.
It is good ting I purchased the laptop on sale. Because I will have to pay full price to make it work.
Next, is this XP disk an OEM version or a stand-alone version?
All standard Windows installation CDs are boot disks from my experience. They will boot to the installation routine.
XP will not install under dos
In fact, it will. There are two setup programs, one will run under Windows and one will run under DOS. I can't remember where each is located (or the exact name) but it should not take too long to find the right program.
HOWEVER, unless DOS includes disk caching such as (such as SmartDrv) the initial file copy process can take several hours. I installed Vista like this a while back - that was a really bad idea!
Incidentally, if the disk won't boot, it is probably a fake created by copying the contents of another disk rather than copying the disk itself. When this is done, the boot code is omitted. It is possible to create a bootable disk from a non-bootable one - if you Google SlipStreaming XP you should find information on this (slipstreaming is the process of installing servicepacks onto bootable CDs).
Kaled.
I have tried Acier restore disks to return to XP.
I have tried XP stand alone clean install CD.
The clean install CD was purchased from Surcouf store here in france.
(It is like Best Buy in the united states)
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But I have spoke to representative of microsoft in france on the telephone. He has made confirmation to me that for small time the XP and 2000 software came with seperate boot cd in france.
He is very polite and sorry but they will be happy to give me a copy of vista but not xp and not boot cd.
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Can a window 98 boot cd be used to start the setup?
If not I am now looking at ebay to purchase north american copy.
[edited by: Michel_Samuel at 7:31 pm (utc) on July 15, 2007]
Can a window 98 boot cd be used to start the setup?
Yes, you just need to identify the DOS setup program on the cd. From memory, it's in a subdirectory rather than the root but I can't remember for sure.
Kaled.
