DefCon-17
Maple Syrup Faggot
+362|6381|Vancouver | Canada
I ran into a BSOD problem on my computer that seemed unfixable (safe mode and last know working config both didn't work), so I decided to wipe my drive clean and reinstall XP, since I have most of my important stuff on an external drive.

The problem is...I wasn't aware of the difference between wiping and reformatting.

Now that the HD is wiped, XP install won't recognize it. (It appears fine in system setup though.)

I think I managed to create a proper partition, but when I try formatting, it gives me this error after it's 'done':
SYS: cannot copy "kernel.sys"
errorlevel 1

I used the "format c: /s" command, and after "format c: /s /u"
Both gave the same error.

Any ideas on how to get XP running again..?
Catbox
forgiveness
+505|6941
do you have your cd/dvd player as the first boot device?
If so... it should start up your xp disc and say...windows is checking out your system configuration(something like that)
then it will come to a screen with options...
then you can delete the C partition... it will ask are you sure...  say yes...
then you can create a partition...it will ask how big...you can make it the whole size of the disk or partition it into 2 or more drives...
then you need to format the C partitioned space you just created... it will take awhile if you have a big drive...
then when thats done you can choose...install XP... and go from there... hope that helps and i understood your question...

Last edited by [TUF]Catbox (2009-06-14 19:29:59)

Love is the answer
DefCon-17
Maple Syrup Faggot
+362|6381|Vancouver | Canada
Well the problem is..When the XP install boots up, it gives me the option to install XP, repair it, or cancel.

Since there's no XP to repair, I can only really choose install, which instantly gives me the "can't find hard drive" error.
Catbox
forgiveness
+505|6941
Method 1: Perform a clean install of Windows XP
A clean installation consists of removing all data from your hard disk by repartitioning and reformatting your hard disk and reinstalling the operating system and programs to an empty (clean) hard disk. For more information about important things to consider before you partition and format you hard disk and how to partition and format your hard disk by using the Windows XP Setup program, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
313348  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348/ ) How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP
To perform a clean installation of Windows XP, follow these steps:
Back up all important information before you perform a clean installation of Windows XP. Save the backup to an external location, such as a CD or external hard disk.
Start your computer from the Windows XP CD. To do this, insert the Windows XP CD into your CD drive or DVD drive, and then restart your computer.

Note To boot from your Windows XP CD, the BIOS settings on your computer must be configured to do this.
When you see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press any key to start the computer from the Windows XP CD.
At the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to start Windows XP Setup.
Read the Microsoft Software License Terms, and then press F8.
Follow the instructions on the screen to select and format a partition where you want to install Windows XP.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Windows XP Setup.
If you have successfully installed Windows XP, you are finished. If these steps did not help you install Windows XP, go to the "Next Steps" section.

found these instructions above
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941

and this one is cool with pics
http://www.buildeasypc.com/sw/windows_xp.htm
http://www.buildeasypc.com/sw/windows_xp_p2.htm

Last edited by [TUF]Catbox (2009-06-14 19:37:41)

Love is the answer
DefCon-17
Maple Syrup Faggot
+362|6381|Vancouver | Canada
I can't get that far though...It gives me the HD error right after I select Install XP.

It might be that my HD needs drivers (the whole Press F6 thing), but I have no clue how to get them..
..and they keep talking about floppy disks. My comp doesn't have a damn floppy drive.
Catbox
forgiveness
+505|6941
do you have another computer you could attach the drive from your computer as a slave drive... then start that computer and format your drive
that way...
   also... are you sure the drive is ok?  you said you were getting errors and crashes on it before you decided to reformat?
Love is the answer
DefCon-17
Maple Syrup Faggot
+362|6381|Vancouver | Canada
Hmmm...I could try doing that.

I'm pretty sure it's ok. Diagnostics shows everything okay, and the drive shows up fine in the system setup.

I was getting the "bad_pool_caller" BSODs before, no matter what I did.
Catbox
forgiveness
+505|6941
you can try disconnecting the hard drive and reconnect it
and take out the bios battery and then put the battery back in... to reset the bios...  2 quick things to try
Love is the answer
DefCon-17
Maple Syrup Faggot
+362|6381|Vancouver | Canada
I re-connected the HD when I checked which company made it.
(After the no-recognize error..)

I think I can reset the BIOS from inside the setup though.
I'd rather not screw something up by trying to replace it.
Catbox
forgiveness
+505|6941
the bios battery is easy to pop out... its a little circle shaped battery... take it out for 30 seconds and then click it back in... it's as easy as putting a memory stick in your computer...
Love is the answer
DefCon-17
Maple Syrup Faggot
+362|6381|Vancouver | Canada
That didn't do much...but I'm trying to format the drive on a a different computer right now.

I hooked up my ext drive to my computer and tried the XP install again, and it let me get to the partitioning options, so I guess it is my drive.

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