How to Use Floppy Disks to Install Windows XP

The Windows XP installation CD is bootable, as long as the computer does not have a problem booting from optical disks, it can be used to install Windows without floppy disk assistance. However, many disk drives and motherboards have problems booting directly from a CD. When a computer fails to boot from the disk, the official Microsoft setup disks for floppy boot installation can be used instead. You will still need the Windows XP installation CD to perform the installation.
These are available as a free download from the Microsoft website. The same disks can be used to install both Windows XP Home and Professional.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 6 1.44 MB floppy disks Computer with floppy disk drive

1. Download the Windows XP "Setup Disks for Floppy Boot Install" utility from the Microsoft website. The utility is a 4.2 MB EXE file that will take around one minute to download over a broadband connection. When the browser prompts you to either open or save the file, choose to save it. Once the download has completed, navigate to the folder you saved it in, and double-click on the EXE file to begin creating the disks.

2. Read the Terms of Service Agreement that is presented to you. If you agree, click "Yes" to continue. After loading some files, a command line will show on the screen, asking you to specify the floppy drive that will be used. Type "A" and the program will move on to the next step, asking you to insert one of the floppy disks into the drive. Do so, and press any key to continue. Once it has finished with each disk, you will be prompted to insert the next one, until six disks have been created. Remember to label each one for future reference.

3. Insert the first floppy disk into the drive, and ensuring the Windows XP setup CD is in the CD tray, restart the computer. It will automatically begin booting from the floppy disks, prompting you to insert the next one each time it is necessary. When it has finished loading, you will be greeted with a command line.

4. Enter "D:\i386\winnt.exe" and press enter to begin setup. In most cases, "D" is the letter that corresponds to the CD drive, unless you have a custom drive configuration. If that returns an error, use "E" instead. Follow the steps in the installer to setup Windows as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• If the computer doesn't recognize the floppy disks upon booting, press F1 or Delete when the computer first starts. This will access the BIOS menu. Change "Floppy" to the first option under the boot order list, save the settings and restart the computer.
• Always backup important files before reinstalling an operating system.

Resources

• Windows XP Utility: Setup Disks for Floppy Boot Install
• Clean Install Windows XP

[ronnie202]

on 3/25/2009 I needed this info