T23 Windows XP loaded incorrectly

[gerrychevelle396ss]

I loaded a fresh copy of Windows XP but screwed it up. I had bypassed the service pack 2 disk and as a result not all of the operating system has been installed. I now cannot use the CD reader and am not sure how to fix the system and get a complete installation. Any help would be appreciated.

Admin note: Moved from T4x forum

[rkawakami]

Well, assuming that you still have the Windows XP CD, then you can wipe the drive and re-install. I'm not sure what you mean by "cannot use the CD reader" but you should still be able to boot the system from the CD drive. That can be done by pressing the F12 key when the IBM splash screen is displayed. That pops up a small menu where you can select the CD drive. If the CD drive is not available in that boot menu, then you should access the BIOS (pressing the F1 key at power on), navigate to the Boot menu and make sure that the CDROM device is enabled. If that can't be done, then the laptop is not recognizing the optical drive and you may have some other problems.

[gerrychevelle396ss]

Correct-- the laptop is not recognizing the Windows CD (or any CD). Perhaps this is a result of Windows not loading completely. Can I use a USB CD Reader or do you beleive that this is a hardware issue? Thanks again for your help. Gerry.

[gerrychevelle396ss]

One more thing. When I hit F12 and select CD for booting, Windows starts normally (not using the CD). This makes it impossible to install a fresh copy of Windows. Thanks!

[RealBlackStuff]

Get any Linux Life CD (e.g. Knoppix, Mint, Ubuntu), remove the hard disk, and try booting from that CD.
If either via BIOS or via F12 it does not find the CD drive, you have either a bad drive or a motherboard problem.

[gerrychevelle396ss]

Thanks much.