[Kosh]

I'm trying to re-format and reinstall Windows XP on a Dell Optiplex workstation. The reason is to clean all of the crap of the last year and start again.


Yet for some reason it won't let me do it. It always says "CDBOOT: Couldn't find NTLDR". I have tried multiple CD's, and it still doesn't work. I tried doing this on another machine, and the CD worked perfectly. I also tried swapping out the CD drive for one that we know can read it.....same result.

I've also tried updating the BIOS, and that still didn't make it work. I'm at a loss as to what to do about it. We have to do this, yet it won't let us do it. What is causing this and what can we do about it?


And please don't tell me that we should just install it over the network, at the moment we don't have a server. If we have the opportunity we will try it, but I am open to other suggestions.

[karajorma]

I don't think it's booting from the CD at all. That's exactly the error I'd expect if it was booting from C: and finding that C: was formatted.

Check that it's actually set up in BIOS to boot from CD before it boots from HD. In fact turn off HD booting just to be sure if you can.

[Kosh]

It was booting from the CD, I am certain. Before it did that it gave the whole "press any key to boot from CD" thing (which of course I pressed it quickly). It is trying to boot, but for some wierd reason it can't find NTLDR.


Plus I manaully told it to boot from the CD in the boot sequence menu.

[Fury]

I suggest you get Knoppix, if you can boot Knoppix liveCD properly, then install Knoppix. If you can install Knoppix properly, then try with Windows again. If liveCD or Knoppix installation fails, then more than likely you have a hardware problem. There has been a few occasions when I have ran into really weird OS installation problems and above has helped or confirmed there is a hardware problem.

[Kosh]

Ok, I wasn't able to get a hold of Knoppix (internet was down at work for most of the day), but I manage to get it working.


I just put the hard drive in a different machine, re-format and install, then just after the setup program is finished (when it re-boots the second time) I killed it and put the hard drive in the original machine. Now it works like a charm.

I'm still not entirely sure what caused this problem, but I am pretty sure something is wrong with the hardware. I was talking to one of the older teachers and the computers in that lab have a history of trouble. He told me at one point last year, fully half of them weren't working. Looks like I'll have my work cut out for me this year.