win95,98,xpHome/Pro install prob.

[Sureno_5outh~T3x~WeSlAcO]

ok i have a problem..installing Win95 or Xp because...my bios can't boot from a Windows XP or 95/98 CD..so i have to use Damn Floppies...well i used..a win 95 startup disk from dell. and it could only Format my C:drive..so i did that..then i got this..windows Xp setup disk(6) and still no hope...so i don't know what to do...i kan update my bios..but 1. dont' know how to do that 2. don't know where to get a hold of an update...so yea..im stuck...i stuck linux..in the machine but..have a problem ..with

enabling Swap space [OK]

error...so i gave up with linux on that machine..(the machine could..boot the linux CD but not Windows)......

[Sureno_5outh~T3x~WeSlAcO]

enabling Swap space [OK]

the machine would just stay like that forever and ever...

[Rat]

Are you sure there is no operating system installed on your drive? You say you formatted drive C but then you got to (???disk 6) of windows?? That to me suggests that the disk was partitioned by the windows installer, that means that the linux partitions you're trying to make are not active. It won't work. Reformat the hard drive and try again.

[Sureno_5outh~T3x~WeSlAcO]

awww..never thought of disactivating..the windows partitions....but wait...what if i want both of the...OS'es Linux and WindowsXP...i kan just activate both of them right...?

[Rat]

I have dual boot. Here's how I do it. I made partitions for linux on a pre-existing windows XP system using 'partition magic'. Then, still in partition magic, I set the new linux partitions to active. Next I restart the machine with an install CD or DVD in the drive (which must be set to be the first boot device). Install goes nice and smooth. Next... you may (or may not) find after installing linux, that windows won't start. Answer... use the rescue disks that partition magic strongly recommends that you make, to set your windows 'C' partition to active again. Now you should find that the grub or LILO bootloaders will successfully start either linux or windows.
Also.... look at a longer thread I posted on this subject aaaages ago. Search for 'installing linux' in these forums.

[Layzie Bone]

oh, sounds like you're stuck. Those start-up disks do exactly what they do, just just start them up.

Problem those disks only use DOS, and the DOS doesn't have the command ifo to access CD-ROM drives. I'm not sure why, either the command, driver or something.

It might be possible to get a hold of the 45 or so floppies for Windows 95 off the internet. That would be the only way to get Windows 95 on that computer. XP is out of the question, XP would use about 600-700 floppy disks, or more, wouldn't work since some of the files are larger than the disk itself.

Good Luck.