Getting rid of failed Win 2K installation...

[Guest]

Hi...

I hope someone can help here. I tried installing Windows 2000 on a Dell Inspiron 8100 laptop. The installation was unsuccessful because the machine couldn't seem to find the CD-ROM drive during setup. I believe it's because certain drivers on the laptop are not supported by 2000.

So I used the manufacturer's CD to re-install the original O/S, Win Me. However, when the laptop boots, there are still two options-- One for Windows Me and the other for the partial installation of Windows 2000.

My question is: How do I remove the partial installation of Windows 2000? Anyone have any experience doing this on a laptop? Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks...

 

[Guest]

The problem probably lies in the MBR, Master Boot Record, which contains certain programs and tasks that start up during a boot, for instance Win2000's own Boot Manager. Try doing this: Go to DOS, it shouldn't matter if it is a DOS prompt in windows, or real DOS, and then type: "fdisk /mbr"
without quotes. That clears the MBR, and the win2000 menu should not come back. I had same problem first time I installed, and then deleted Win2k. Even after several formats. Note: Since FDisk is not a Win2k program, this command is useless on Win2k machines, only Win9x.

 

[Guest]

before you fdisk your master boot record (sheesh) and screw things up royally, you should first attempt to complete the installation. this problem with detecting the cd-rom after the first reboot during installation is well documented and doesnt mean that win2k wont run on your laptop. here's my suggestion:

boot to windows ME and then copy the i386 folder to your hard disk from the windows 2000 cd-rom. easy enough. next open the i386 folder on the hard disk and double click the winnt32.exe file. this will begin the installation program from the hard disk of your laptop. follow the instructions for installation and when you reboot, the install program will not look for your cd-rom as the files needed are on the hard disk.

ignore everything i say