How to Get Windows XP Startup Disks or Windows XP Installation Disks

Startup disks provide access to DOS and are helpful troubleshooting tools.

Windows XP setup disks allow you to begin the Windows XP installation process on a computer that cannot boot from a CD/DVD-ROM drive but has a floppy disk drive, while a startup disk allows you to access DOS outside of the Windows XP environment. You may not install the entire operating system with the setup disks, and you will be prompted to insert the Windows XP installation disk. The Windows XP installation disk itself is a bootable disk and should be used if you are able to boot first from CD/DVD.

Things You'll Need

• At least one floppy disk
• Floppy disk drive

Instructions

How to Obtain Setup Disks

1. Download the Windows XP setup disk program that matches the Windows XP installation disk that you own (see Resources).

2. Insert a blank floppy disk in your floppy drive. Click on "Start", then "My Computer". Right-click your A drive, then left-click on "Format".

3. Click on "Start", then on "OK" to confirm that you wish to delete all data.

4. Eject the disk, and repeat with the other five floppy disks that you will use for setup. Leave the last floppy disk in the drive.

5. Double-click the Windows XP setup disk program that you installed.

6. Type "A" (without quotes) when the program prompts you for your floppy disk drive.

7. Press any key when prompted.

8. Eject the floppy disk and insert another formatted disk when prompted. Label each disk with the numbers 1-6 as you continue with the program.

How to Obtain Installation Disks

1. Visit any website or retail vendor that sells Windows XP installation disks, and purchase a copy.

2. Contact the Microsoft Order Desk at [phone] if you have a damaged installation disk that you purchased more than 30 days ago.

3. Contact your computer manufacturer if you purchased a mass-produced laptop or desktop. Request recovery disks with Windows XP or Windows XP installation disks.

How to Create a Startup Disk

1. Insert a blank floppy. Click on "Start", then "My Computer".

2. Right-click your floppy drive and left-click "Format".

3. Click on "Start", then on "OK" to confirm that you wish to delete all data.

4. Close the formatting box and right-click on the "Start" button. Left-click on "Explore". Navigate to the root directory of C if necessary. (The root directory is the main directory of your hard drive.)

5. Hold down the "Ctrl" button and click on each of the following files to highlight them:

   Boot.ini
   NTLDR
   Ntdetect.com

6. Right-click on any of the highlighted files and left-click on "Send to 3 1/2 Floppy (A:)".

References

• HelpWithPCs: Formatting a Floppy Disk in Windows XP
• Microsoft: Windows XP Setup Cannot Continue Error
• HP: Order Recovery Disks for Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP

Resources

• Microsoft: How to Obtain Windows XP Setup Disks
• Microsoft: Windows XP Help Home
• TechRepublic: Ten Things You Can Do When Windows XP Won't Boot