*sigh* tried installing windows: disc error

[Ravich]

I used bootcamp assistant to create a partition for windows, About 18GB on my SSD boot drive.

Then I followed the instructions found on the apple website. Installed windows through the bootcamp assistant, and made sure to select the partition names bootcamp.

It installed windows normally as far as I could see, then it said the system would reboot, and then I got this:

Press any key to boot from CD.....
Disk error
Press any key to restart



And I get that every time I try restarting. What should I do? I should have a time machine backup on one of my internal drives. What went wrong?

 

[George Knighton]

You're not pressing a key to start from the CD, are you?

 

[SidBala]

Did you press any key?

Why don't you just remove the disk?

 

[Ravich]

When I press any key, nothing happens.

No, I'm not pressing anything when I start up.

And I cant even eject the CD because it wont let me.


Edit: I just held down the eject key while starting up, and it did eject the CD and started up my Mac like normal... Mac OSX, of course. So... what likely happened here. Do I just reinstall? Delete the partition and try again?

 

[George Knighton]

Please, what version of Windows are you installing on 18Gb?

I would try the default 32GB and see if it works.

 

[Ravich]

XP. Should require about 5GB. More space isnt an option because my boot drive is small.

Why would 18GB be causing problems?

 

[vistadude]

Are you using a burnt copy of windows or a pressed disc, upgrade or full version? You need a disc with SP2 or SP3.

Looks like the disc is not good. Try a cd-rw or dvd-rw instead of a cd-r or dvd-r.

 

[Ravich]

Not sure what that means (SP2, SP3), but this is a real windows XP disc that I have from a PC laptop from a couple years ago. Are you suggesting I burn it to a CD-RW?

 

[SidBala]

Just reinstall again and see what happens.

 

[balamw]

Not sure what that means (SP2, SP3)

HALT.

If your copy of XP does not include at least (Service Pack 2) you are asking for trouble. So if you aren't sure. STOP until you ascertain that it does include SP2 or SP3.

from a PC laptop from a couple years ago

Is also a red flag. If the disc came with the laptop there are good chances that it was customized for that laptop and may even be a "restore disc" that will not install a generic copy of Windows, but one designed to restore the laptop to factory conditions. (Not to mention the licensing issues that that license would in general not be transferable).

STOP until you know what it is that you have. Many folks who have tried using the wrong disc to install Windows have managed to erase OS X and sometimes have a hard time getting back.

If you want more help post a picture of the XP disc.

B

 

[Ravich]

It is clearly an official disc from microsoft. It also had a system restore disc that came with the laptop and this is not it.


I have already used this XP disc to install bootcamp on my MBP.

I'll try again and see what happens.




EDIT: problem solved. XP is up and running.

 

[brownbread]

I'm a bit late but if anyone else has this trouble, try installing XP using an external optical drive.

Apparently this fixes the issue for many people - certainly did for me. There is a reason why it works but I can't remember. Useful I know.