Justin7

I recently reformatted a PC using a window 2k service pack 2 cd. The set up process went smoothly until it was done.

After the network configuration was set up, the PC rebooted. It shows 2 excact same window 2k pro selection in the boot menu. I will wait 30 seconds or select the 1st option because the 2nd one will not work.

Window will start up like usual but it won't proceed no more once the blue loading bars at the starting line finished. It stayed hours in the window 2k pro screen until I physically rebooted it.

Rebooted many times and it was the same. Repaired using the window 2k cd and nothing happen. Reformatted a few times using either NTFS or FAT, and the same thing happened.

Somehow it managed to run in the safe mode and got into window. Just not into the normal mode. I have no clue what has gone wrong. Appreciate on any help or suggestion.

2xgrump

Have you tried old school way of formatting using the Windows 98 boot disk? I've had your issue before so I did the old school way and I was able to install W2K O/S. goodluck

Justin7

Nope I never try win 98 on it? What you suggested was install win 98 and win 2k in the machine. I can try that.

2xgrump

Nope, I meant use the Win 98 boot disk (floppy disk), boot from the floppy disk, you'll have to do fdisk then format, then after you format your computer you may install Windows 2000 O/S. Let me know if you need an instruction how to do this.

Justin7

I reformatted the PC with Win 98 earlier. It worked until I reformatted it with Win 2k. It does the same error as I mentioned in my 1st post.

I do not have a Win 98 Boot floppy disk now, I need to see whether I can find one. But I do have the Win 98 Boot CD. Wonder if will the CD helps?

Yes I will need instruction in doing this. Thank you 2xgrump.

2xgrump

It can be your BIOS then, you will need to get the info of your BIOS and update it, if you want to do this first. Let me know
Formatting a computer using the Win98 boot disk can be confusing and complicated if this is the first time that you are going to do this, but it's a good learning experience for you to learn if yo have that patiences.

2xgrump

how to create boot disks?

http://www.computerhope.com/boot.htm

Justin7

2xgrump,
how can I get info and update the BIOS?
I found a Win ME and some Win 95 boot disks in my drawer. Can they be used?
Also if i were to create a Win 98 boot disk, I need to reformat the PC with Win 98 first right? I did that earlier but it did not get rid of the Win 2k.
Thanks again.

2xgrump

You can use your Win95 boot disk so that you can get to the DOS prompt, it might work.
As far as your Bios, you will need the info of your Bios, be careful though, before you download anything and update your BIOS.
I'll email you the link to format using your win95 disk.

2xgrump

you may use a CD to create a boot disk, here's a link to download. Pls. choose Win98 OEM/Mirror
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Justin7

Really appreciate your help 2xgrump. I sent you a PM. But I am not sure whether you received it because it is not showing at my sent item. Anyway I used a Win 95 boot disk and this happened:

CDR101: Not ready reading drive D
Abort, Retry, Fail?

What should I do with it?

2xgrump

How to Use the Fdisk and Format Tools?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255867

Justin7

I reformatted Win 2k with C: formatted by Win 98 boot disk but it messed up the PC again. This time I deleted all the partition and did the fdisk. I followed the instruction from the link above. I loaded Win 2k CD and ran the Win 98 boot disk with the support of CD-ROM. Everything loads fine and got me to a screen saying
The Diagnostic tools were successfully loaded to drive D.
MSCDEX Version 2.25
Drive E: = Driver MSCD001 unit 0
A:\>


Grumpy, do I need to format any drive before I setup Win 2k in it? Or what would you suggest? Thanks.

2xgrump

then try this ==>format c:\
when it's done formatting, change the A:\ to cd c:\
Type in c:\> dir just to see how many Meg your C is drive is, let me know
Then insert your W2K CD again and try installing the O/S
Change c:\ cd d:\install or setup (depending on what type of installation your W2K has) then press enter, it shd install your W2K OS

Justin7

It is installing now. I hope it works this time.

Thank you grumpy

Justin7

It looks like its going to work this time but still it won't go beyond Win 2k starting screen

I plan to install Win 98 to it and upgrade to Win 2k. Will that work?

2xgrump

It seems to have that you have patience in doing this Justin, so proud of you and at the same time you are learning too. If you want to upgrade from Win98 to W2K go for it. By Any chance you don't have any spare EIDE hard drive?
What are you planning to do with this W2K computer?

Justin7

Thanks Grumpy.
We have many EIDE hard drives. You mean getting 2 hard drives in it?
The previous owner of the W2k computer got a new machine. I retrieved it and plan to set it up for another user. Somehow it just won't work with W2k after I reformatted it.
But Win 98 is too old. I do not have much experience with those OS.

2xgrump

At this time, I would try a diff hard drive, bec. you already mess around so much with that one currently plugged in to your computer.
You can try the win98 boot CD to install (if you want to practice more) or you may just your your W2K Cd. I've encountered the same problem as yours and I would just replaced the hard drive.

Justin7

Alright I will see what HD I can find. I kept trying because everything works fine when I took the PC back. I never suspected a HD issue before.