Problem installing os, extremely frustrating!

[jblock2490]

So after hours of work spent building this computer, and working out the little kinks, I finally have it working. I inserted the Windows XP disc that I had, and it took me to the setup. Upon getting to the option of hitting enter to install the OS, I did so. It then told me that no XP CD was in a drive that was recognized (which is surprising, due to the fact that it is clearly reading the CD and it says WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION on the top of the screen during this process). I tried 2 different XP cd's and it still won't work. I decided to F3 and shutdown the system and come back to it later, only to find that now I can't do anything. I just get my XFX screen (since I'm using an XFX 750i), and then it proceeds to a black, blank screen with a blinking _ . I can't get into the setup, or do anything. It is pretty much unresponsive to any keyboard commands. I disconnected the hard drive just to see if the Windows CD would boot, which it did, but I obviously can't install it without a hard drive. I'm not sure what to do at this point, because with my hard drive connected I am just taken to a blank unresponsive screen. =(

 

[Outlander_04]

have you set the boot order in BIOS so the dvd is the first boot device?

 

[jblock2490]

nope lol. but like, how do i go about getting there if the its unresponsive? im really noob to this so i cant help it, but do i just leave the hard drive plugged in and disconnect the cd drive in order to do this?

 

[daship]

You go into bios and make the cd first in the boot order.

 

[jblock2490]

okay....so like, how do i get into the bios setup? like i said, no keyboard commands are working at any point. unless there is something i need to specifically do to avoid that problem from occuring

 

[PCSoul]

No keyboard commands at the Bios (motherboard) boot?

 

[daship]

READ YOUR DAMN MANUAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jblock2490]

actually daship, my motherboard conveniently doesnt come with a manual. only a quick install guide. and yeah, no keyboard commands are working at the boot

 

[Outlander_04]

well if you dont get the bios splash screen that lists all the items in the computer , and you dont get a single beep from the internal speaker you connected then it isnt POSTing

and thats a hardware issue .

The first thing to try would be to clear the CMOS [ bios] It may be a set of jumpers you short , but you can also do this by removing the small battery on the mb for a few minutes .

Reinstall the battery and try to restart

If you get the BIOS screen then hit the DEL key and you are in

PS dont leave the windows disk in the drive while you do this

 

[jblock2490]

k ill try it. well i am getting a single beep, but nothing is listing all of the hardware =O

 

[jblock2490]

that worked actually. i got into the bios and my os is installing atm. thanks lol. i feel retarded xD

 

[daship]

You should.

 

[jblock2490]

lmao daship you are a hardware forum troll. epic fail. go troll the wow forums or something more suited to your purposes.