Installing Windows 2000

[nixon]

So, here's the deal. My famous other computer on the network, which failed to hook up with my lovely WinXP computer needs a OS replacement, and I've opted for Win2k.

I have this problem when I try to install. The machine is 400 Mhz, 128 mb ram, 6 GB. HD. Before I formatted I made these Windows 2000 Startup Disks (or boots disks). There are four of those. Then I formatted C: and prepared to install Windows 2000. The problem is that when I insert the Win2k Boot Disk No.1, the computer reports an "I/O disk error" and then it asks to replace the current disk. I ask, what the hell?

The CD won't boot, either. And I can't install from the CD! When I run "setup.exe" in DOS, it reports that it "can't run in DOS mode".

What did I do wrong? And has anyone gotten this error before?

I've checked the disks, and it runs fine on my computer.

 

[CrackedCrystal]

Well it sounds like you have a windows 2k CD that has installation files one it. And you have a working computer because you can post on CFC. So its as easy as just making a new boot disk.

Here are the instructions:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;197063

Boot using it, then instll from CD.

 

[nixon]

Yeah, thanks, but like I said: I checked the disks, and they all seem fine. I even made some new. The reason I can post here is that I sit at my own computer now, with Windows XP and it works just fine.

 

[Jeratain]

Why not just boot from the CD? That's how I install it.

Go into your BIOS and set your boot order to have CDROM as your first one (as long as your BIOS supports that) and then save and exit. Have your CD in the drive and then boot up the computer, it should prompt you on whether or not you want to boot from the CD.

 

[nixon]

I'm telling you, it won't boot from the CD. I configured the boot order so it should boot up from the CD drive when available. But no, it just won't.

 

[Jeratain]

Your disks may seem fine, but it's possible that the boot sector on one of them is corrupted. Try a new disk and see if it does any difference.

 

[nixon]

Yep, you were right.

I made some new disks, and then I proceeded to install Windows 2000.

Now there is only one problem: Windows starts perfectly, logs on, but then nothing happens. All you have is a movable mouse, a desktop without icons, and then a fully functional CTRL+ALT+DEL command. Why is this happening??

It's the same if I try in Safe Mode, Last Known Good Configuration, Debug Mode (whatever that is), nothing works!

Now I'm pretty stuck.

 

[CrackedCrystal]

That happened to me before once. I think I resized the resolution and it fixzed it IIRC. I have no idea why.

Richt-click the desktop, and choose properties to get into the display window.

 

[nixon]

I wish I could. But I can't even right-click! The only thing that works is CTRL+ALT+DEL.

 

[CrackedCrystal]

Oh, then you must have a different problem then I had.

I will think about it awhile. Right now I am going to grab some lunch

 

[Jeratain]

Since you don't have anything on your comp yet, just reformat and try again.

I also recommend taking out all unecessary hardware and installing them one by one once your system is up and running. (ie: sound card)

 

[nixon]

I installed it again - same result. Something's wrong with that bad excuse for a computer....

 

[ainwood]

400 MHz and 128MB RAM seems pretty light for Windows 2000.

If this is an old PC, perhaps the motherboard doesn't support Win 2000 (or more correctly, win 2000 doesn't support the motherboard). Have a look on the motherboard website.

However, with CTRL-ALT-DEL, bring up the system specs and see whats happening - how much memory is being used, and how much CPU time for a start.

 

[CrackedCrystal]

Originally posted by ainwood
400 MHz and 128MB RAM seems pretty light for Windows 2000.

I not sure about 128MB (that is probably too low), but I know that 400MHz is fine for Win2k. I have it running on a 350MHz with 320MB and speed is acceptable. It is a little slower than some computers, but it does not interfere with using it.

 

[Jeratain]

No, his specs are fine. Win2k doesn't require any more than 64mb RAM to run. But it's still possible that something is wrong with his hardware.

I've never heard of any sort of problem like he's getting now, so I don't know what to say.

 

[Grisu]

have you tried this:

press ctrl-alt-delete -> Task-Manager -> new Task -> type in explorer and press enter.

Does the rest of the desktop appear if you do that?

 

[nixon]

No. I took your advice and tried, but nothing happens. It just ignores it. There are a lot of processes, 12, running, but there is no explorer.exe, like there is when I check for it here on my WinXP machine. I can't figure out what's wrong...

 

[ainwood]

It almost sounds like the installation failed somehow.

Just trying again (reformating first) might be the best idea.

 

[nixon]

I did, ainwood, but it's no use.

Something's wrong with the Win2k disk itself, I think. It just won't run on that computer. Luckily, I will get a new computer soon.