new computer and I need some help

[texastc316]

got a new computer amd x2 64 dualcore proccesor 4g RAM etc etc. Im trrying to install XP and thats where Im having probs. Comp boots to cd, goes through the set up, formatting partitioning and then when it reboots again instead of continueing with set up, it starts all over. Right back to the begining. Obviously Im not a computer guy but I do know some about setting up the boot order. The comp refuses to boot with the hard drive, will only boot with cd rom. Even after I change it in BIOS. I can give more info if you ask it, but honestly I dont really know enough to ask anything else. And its frustrating me because Im ready to play AH with the new PC instead of the old dell at low end settings. Appreciate any help.

[drdeathx]

Off the wall, did you reformat hard drive? Also you can partition hard drive in windows.

[texastc316]

i formatted during the set up dont know about re formatting, just did it the one time. I didnt set up a partition, just used the C drive that it gave me as a choice.

[Meatwad]

Thought you need 64 bit version of XP with a 64 bit chip

[Fulmar]

Thought you need 64 bit version of XP with a 64 bit chip

All new chips are 64 bit.  You don't need to have a 64 bit OS for it to work.  Ever since AMD released their Clawhammer (I don't remember what model processor the Clawhammer was) back in 2003-2004, AMD processor have been 64 bit and they are backwards compatible.  I don't recall exactly what Intel processor started as 64 bit.

[Fulmar]

i formatted during the set up dont know about re formatting, just did it the one time. I didnt set up a partition, just used the C drive that it gave me as a choice.

Once you do the initial format/partition and the initial windows files copying (this is the setup screen that has the blue DOS background etc), the computer should reboot.  The problem is you're booting off the CD (again) after the reboot.  After the reboot it says something like "Press any key to boot from CD", do not press any keys as this will boot the files off the hard drive instead where you will proceed with the Windows installation.

Or after the first reboot, go back into your BIOS and select the boot sequence as Hard Drive 1st, CD-ROM 2nd.

Or after the first reboot, eject the Windows CD and insert it once Windows Install asks for it again.

[texastc316]

it will not boot, it just keeps rebooting. Ive got it booting to HD now, it just wont boot. Went to default settings, then re did boot order, seems HD wont boot. 

[Masherbrum]

How old is your Hard Drive?

[texastc316]

How old is your Hard Drive?

brandnew....supposedly.

[Masherbrum]

cc, wasn't sure if you were reusing it from a prev. PC.   If so, I was gonna say you may have some bad sectors (you still might).   

[texastc316]

this is getting out of my league..... even farther

[1701E]

Not sure if you have tried it, but; Have you tried deleting all the current partitions?  Delete them then re-make them, whether it be one big partition or some smaller ones, whatever works.  As mentioned you can partition the rest of the space in Windows after it gets running; I would recommend 5Gb for Win XP on the Drive ( C: ) just for rooms sake.

[Fulmar]

So when you say it won't boot, what does it do exactly?  Does it give you an error message.  Just it just sit there at a black screen?

[texastc316]

Not sure if you have tried it, but; Have you tried deleting all the current partitions?  Delete them then re-make them, whether it be one big partition or some smaller ones, whatever works.  As mentioned you can partition the rest of the space in Windows after it gets running; I would recommend 5Gb for Win XP on the Drive ( C: ) just for rooms sake.

havent tried that, Ill put that on the list of things to try.

So when you say it won't boot, what does it do exactly?  Does it give you an error message.  Just it just sit there at a black screen?

no error message, goes to start up screen with the choice to enter SETUP or change boot, then shuts down and does it again. and again.

[TilDeath]

Easiest way to repair the install problem is this.
1) get a windows 98 boot disk (you can find them all over the web)
2) open your case and take the ram sticks that are farthest away from your processor out so you have only one installed
3) boot from win98 and run FDISK from the c:>
4) when in FDISK read the instructions and DELETE all the partitions
5) Create a new partition
6)In BIOS of system set your first boot drive to your Hard disk second boot CD\DVD (since there is no OS it will then go to the CD\DVD)
7) install XP