installing winxp via bootcamp

Sounds like you didn't complete the installation of XP. The installation of XP typically reboots and continues copying files from the CD. You probably didn't let that process finish.

Since Bootcamp temporarily sets the default boot disk to the Bootcamp partition, you're unable to boot up the computer...

Turn off the machine, then hold the mouse key down while you turn on the machine. Put the XP cd back into the drive and boot from the CD and re-install Windows. (Make sure you select the correct partition [should be C:]!)

mshin.mac.pro said:

Sounds like you didn't complete the installation of XP. The installation of XP typically reboots and continues copying files from the CD. You probably didn't let that process finish.

Since Bootcamp temporarily sets the default boot disk to the Bootcamp partition, you're unable to boot up the computer...

Turn off the machine, then hold the mouse key down while you turn on the machine. Put the XP cd back into the drive and boot from the CD and re-install Windows. (Make sure you select the correct partition [should be C:]!)

Click to expand...

this sounds promising. i'm getting the same problem.

the problem is, when i reboot from the win xp disc, it's like i'm starting all over. it won't complete the install. i can reformat the drive (i'm putting win xp on it's own drive) and start over, but when it reboots, i'm back to square one. any ideas?

Here's what should happen after you start the Windows Installer:

1. You select the drive & partition (I assume you did this successfully)

2. Then you format the selected partition using NTFS

3. Windows Installer prepares the partition and begins copying minimal Windows configuration files in preparation to reboot from the newly prepared partition.

This is where it gets dicey...

You should still have the Windows CD in the drive at this point and you'll get a black screen that says "Press any key to boot from CD" for a few seconds. At this point you should let the prompt timeout and hopefully the machine will go on to the default HD boot drive (Windows Partition in this instance).

4. Windows installer then continues to copy the remaining files and should complete setup.

If any of those steps did not complete, you'll have to start over. And it sound like your CD may be scratched or something to that effect. This is just a guess since you did not mention any error messages.

If you can still boot into OSX I recommend using Disk Utility to image copy the CD and burn it using the same drive you use to install Windows...

try looking here

http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

mshin.mac.pro said:

4. Windows installer then continues to copy the remaining files and should complete setup.

If any of those steps did not complete, you'll have to start over. And it sound like your CD may be scratched or something to that effect. This is just a guess since you did not mention any error messages.

If you can still boot into OSX I recommend using Disk Utility to image copy the CD and burn it using the same drive you use to install Windows...

Click to expand...

Yeah, tried this too. It's definitely not a problem with the installer CD. When it gets to the reboot, I wait through the "press any key to boot from cd..." message, then i get the disk error again. seriously, i've killed days on this.

i'm just going to run parallels only i guess. if anyone has any other ideas about what might be the prob, that would be great. otherwise, i guess a $4000 brand new machine can't do what my imac and macbook pro have no problem with? makes no sense at all i say.

smirkingboy said:

Yeah, tried this too. It's definitely not a problem with the installer CD. When it gets to the reboot, I wait through the "press any key to boot from cd..." message, then i get the disk error again. seriously, i've killed days on this.

i'm just going to run parallels only i guess. if anyone has any other ideas about what might be the prob, that would be great. otherwise, i guess a $4000 brand new machine can't do what my imac and macbook pro have no problem with? makes no sense at all i say.

Click to expand...

from the link i posted above

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306504

neil321 said:

from the link i posted above

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306504

Click to expand...

yeah, i was here about three days ago. no dice. thanks though.

The only other thing i can think of is to try and find another disk and see if that
works.I had the same issues as you when trying to install bootcamp drove me
nuts found another disk installed first go.I take your trying to install from the
one disk with sp2 on it ?

its weird cos this is a new burn of an image i have used to install windows on another computer. but i do have a winxp sp2 install disc, trying that now. thanks for the attention to my problemo !

finally figured it out... sort of...

so what i ended up doing is opening up the mac pro and yanking out all of the drives, including the os x system drive that shipped with the computer. i then put the drive i was attempting to put windows on into the bay #1 position. then went through the install as before, this time it worked all golden-like. just thought i'd follow up in case someone finds this thread who was having the same problem as me.

neil321 said:

The only other thing i can think of is to try and find another disk and see if that
works.I had the same issues as you when trying to install bootcamp drove me
nuts found another disk installed first go.I take your trying to install from the
one disk with sp2 on it ?

Click to expand...

Hi Neil321,

I am using the one disk with SP2... does that not work? Cos i was not given an option to format my partition... which is weird... pls advice... ty...

MacNubbie said:

Hi Neil321,

I am using the one disk with SP2... does that not work? Cos i was not given an option to format my partition... which is weird... pls advice... ty...

Click to expand...

Have you followed the guide in the links i posted ? i am at work at the moment so don't have access
to a Mac

neil321 said:

Have you followed the guide in the links i posted ? i am at work at the moment so don't have access
to a Mac

Click to expand...

Thanks Neil321 for the fast reply... yeh i have tried... but the xp installation cd i am using only lets me chooses which partition to install and jumps straight into installation. The links suggests that the error would be caused by not formatting... now... i can't format from the cd... so is there a problem with my cd?

Thanks for taking time off work to reply... your help is VERY much appriciated...

MacNubbie said:

Thanks Neil321 for the fast reply... yeh i have tried... but the xp installation cd i am using only lets me chooses which partition to install and jumps straight into installation. The links suggests that the error would be caused by not formatting... now... i can't format from the cd... so is there a problem with my cd?

Thanks for taking time off work to reply... your help is VERY much appriciated...

Click to expand...

I'll have to try and help later as it's difficult at present sorry

The Windows XP Corporate version doesn't let you reformat the partition. They don't work in Bootcamp and you will get the above mentioned error. So my guess is you used such a version.

Veldek said:

The Windows XP Corporate version doesn't let you reformat the partition. They don't work in Bootcamp and you will get the above mentioned error. So my guess is you used such a version.

Click to expand...

Hi Veldek,

I am pretty sure I am using windows xp pro sp2... but thanks for your advice... I think my best bet now is to get another installation cd...

MacNubbie said:

Hi Veldek,

I am pretty sure I am using windows xp pro sp2... but thanks for your advice... I think my best bet now is to get another installation cd...

Click to expand...

Of course you do, it might still be Windows XP Pro SP2 Corporate Edition . Another installation disc is indeed your best bet in this case, if you have one.

Veldek said:

Of course you do, it might still be Windows XP Pro SP2 Corporate Edition . Another installation disc is indeed your best bet in this case, if you have one.

Click to expand...

lol.... yeh i am getting another copy off my uni... so wish me luck... will keep u guys updated

Veldek said:

The Windows XP Corporate version doesn't let you reformat the partition. They don't work in Bootcamp and you will get the above mentioned error. So my guess is you used such a version.

Click to expand...

this is just false - I have installed the corporate edition I have on 7 macs so far with no problems - I never have to register with Microsoft and it never bothers me about activating or WGA - it is a legit Corporate Edition licensed to FORD Motor Company UAW - it is XP Pro SP2

but I just got a new 13" macbook pro and I am having this problem while trying to install windows - I can use the same disc and install windows on my 13" macbook (older 2.0GHz black one) and many other macbooks and 2 macbook pros (1 older silver 2.66GHz and 1 newer unibody) and 3 macmini's (2 old and 1 new with display port) as well as 1 macpro (new 8 core)

but my new 13" macbook pro gives me this message