My computer registers d:\ as B:\

regardless of whether or not this is normal i need help figuring out the commands to get into the cd rom and LOAD a non- bootable xp cd.a vague answer to your question

i had this problem when i acquired a used computer once and had to go into the setup.  i cannot remember exactly but i believe the problem can be solved there.

also you might look up the DOS assign command.
i have to experiment with it as i ususally put the order incorrectly. it is not a big deal to FIX but the command seems to have reverse logic.
it goes something like    assign  b  dwhat have you installed so far....boot floppys...WITHOUT the cdrom driver you will not be able to boot...did you try  b cd
enter
c:\setup ???my mistake, apparntly both a and b are my floppy drives and its the same 1!!

My cd rom wont register at all and i cant get to c:/

Anyone help?? got a win98 cd/or floppy disk......bootdisk.com...download the win98 floppy disk  with cdrom drivers..at the a:\ sys  c:  system transfered message >with your win98 boot floppy format c: and fdisk the hard drive<..or go into the bios del key on boot and change the boot sequence to boot from cdrom save an exit.........................................


You lost me dude, thanks for the help anyhow... :-/OK Jaye.  I'm not sure what you have done so far like fdisking and/or formatting your hdd but if you are trying to install XP from a full XP install cd here it is in simple steps....

1!. Go to Bootdisk.com and download to your hdd the boot disk file for Windows 98 SE Custom No Ramdrive.

2!. Insert a blank formatted floppy which is not write protected in A then click on the boot disk file on the hdd.  The eventual boot disk will be written to the floppy in A.  Copying the boot disk file on the hdd will NOT create a boot disk.

(The above 2 steps are probably best done on "another" pc)

3!. Write protect the boot disk and insert it into the pc on which XP is to be installed and boot from it.  This will install various files including a cd rom driver named BANANA with a drive letter of R and will return to the A: prompt.

At this point YOU have to decide if you want to fdisk and/or format your hdd (you'll lose all the info on C: if you format).

If YOU decide to format then type "format c:" (without the quotes) and hit enter.  Your hdd will be wiped clean.

4!. When you get the command line prompt A:\ insert the XP cd into the cdrom slot and type "R:\setup" (without the quotes) and hit enter.  Installation of XP will now start (hopefully) and you should follow the on-screen prompts.

Note: The above will only work if you have the full XP install cd.

You might have to source and install any odd drivers which are not on the XP cd and, of course, you will have to re-install XP updates, your AV protection, 3rd party Firewall and other progs.

Good luckI fail to see the problem if the user has the rc/oem disk or the retail disk why is there a problem....or we shifting the o/s to another pc use...you may have to >http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxphome/installxpmsdos/index.htm