unable to load boot disc

I have a spare pc which im trying to install windows on.
Its 5 yrs old and i had to replace the hdd on it.
I have a copy of windows xp which im trying to install on it to no avail.
The cd doesnt boot up automatically even though i have selected to boot from cdrom in the bios.
So i tried to run a windows 98 boot disc to get cdrom support - in order to browse the windows xp cd and run setup.exe - but the fdd doesnt light up at all.
I tried the cable around the other way but then the green light on the fdd is steady, so the cable must be connected correctly?
I tried the fdd from my other pc in the spare but i get the same problem, even though it works fine in this!
I really want to get windows installed on this spare so if anyone can help it would be really sppreciated.

Thanks

If I had the time I'd install it on another comp then hook it to that one just to see what the outcome could be.

XP Home or Pro ?
W98 boot floppy to browse XP CD ?
is the 'new' HDD brand new, or 2nd hand [if so is there another OS on it - fat32] ?

have you tried swapping the FDD cable ?

Did you try to boot from floppy [W98 disc] on the other PC ? to check it works ?

As a first, I generally [always] totally strip down the 'new' PC.
full clean up, brush, air can, vacuum cleaner, the works.
rebuild it CAREFULLY :)
try it again ........

as you have a second PC, does the XP CD work in THAT one ?
that is, will it boot from the CD ?

If memory server, the solid green light used to indicate that the ribbon cable was plugged in upside down or broken. Make sure pin 1 is the connected to the side of the ribbon cable that has the stripe.

OR try another fdd

Not sure if its home or pro.
Yeah the win98 boot disc will simply give me a command prompt so i can browse the cd in the cdrom.
The new hdd is brand spanking new!
Im guessing the fdd cable is fine considering if its inserted incorrectly it will produce a steady green light on the fdd?
Ive tried the win98 boot disc in my other pc and it works fine.
Im able to browse the xp cd in my other pc fine, however, it will not boot automatically, prob a mobo issue

Just re read your op Yes you're correct. I missed "tried the cable the other way"

duh.

I'd still try a new fdd IMO

Quote:

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however, it will not boot automatically

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is that for the 'new' PC or the spare ?

and you say you suspect Mo/Bo issues
did the HDD die of 'natural' causes ..........wear and tear ? or was it after some kinda power out ? [some type of electrical spike, 'might' have damaged HDD and Mo/Bo ........]

5 years IS a long time in I.T.
Do you have a budget for the repair ?
Is it over it already ? :D

Is it an original Cd or a burned one? Just wondering as you say you don't know if it is Pro or Home.

If it is burned, some older CD drives have trouble reading burned CDs. Try moving your other CD drive to the old computer.

the new pc
yeah the hdd dies of natural causes
no budget, just want to get the damned thing working

im thinking maybe i should install the new hdd in my working pc, install xp on that then switch the hdd into the old pc

Just a brief observation, it doesn't say you selected the floppy in bios to boot off of. Don't know if you missed this, or just didn't state it.

Also, if it were me, I would check it with the FDD out of the other computer (a known good one) again, and verify that you connected the power cable. Sometimes this slips your mind. If this doesn't work, and BIOS is set right, I would say you have an issue with the FDD controller. On machines these days its integrated and will require a new MOBO, or an expansion FDD card.

I have had a similar problem before, what I did to cure this was unplug the HDD, then boot from the CD with no HDD attached, it worked, the PC booted from the CD, then I shutdown and installed the HDD again and boot from the CD and it's been working ever since... I honestly don't know why this worked... but it did...

I suggest you try this...

Are you sure the master/slave settings are correct for the HDD and the CDROM?

I'd concentrate on getting the CDROM working. If the BIOS
will boot from cdrom, and it won't boot a bootable cd, then
maybe it's the drive. Yeah, maybe the floppy is bad too (they
usually are,LOL), but maybe you can find another cdrom
drive to try. Now, if your BIOS isn't bootable from cdrom,
then you'd have to get the floppy working.
:cool:

First things first, before you go out and buy a cd drive, check to see if it will work without the HDD...

Well... Have you fixed the problem yet?? Give us an update!!

Sorry for the delay in replying.
Ive just been running into problem after problem with this damn box.
Ive narrowed the problem down to a zillion things.
I think the ram's dodge, psu on its way out, bios maybe corrupt, fdd hammered, ide channel arsed....i could go on but fk it.

Anyways i aint paying the money to get this thing off the ground, be just as cheap to buy a new box.

Cheers anyways peeps.