Install W2K/XP on a hard drive formatted with the FAT32 File System.


This assumes very limited MSDOS knowledge and you are able to download the following self extracting WinImage files.

Windows 98SE Boot Floppy
MSDOS CDROM Setup Floppy

also download the following files and copy to the created MSDOS CDROM Setup Floppy

SMARTDRV
HIMEM

Boot the Laptop with the created Windows 98SE Boot Floppy without CD support, at the A:\>_ command prompt type:

FDISK and press ENTER

Follow instructions to create a FAT32 Primary Active C: partition (minimum say 10GB) and any further partitions you may require, for more details see Microsoft Knowledge Base

After creating partitions reboot. Then after reboot you need to format the created C: drive, at the A:\>_ command prompt type:

FORMAT C: /S (please leave a space between format and c: and /s) and press ENTER

Insert the CDROM Setup floppy, at the A:\>_ command prompt type:

CDSETUP and press ENTER (accepting the default install directory)

COPY SMARTDRV.EXE C: (please leave a space between copy and smartdrv.exe and c:) and press ENTER

COPY HIMEM.SYS C: (please leave a space between copy and hymem.sys and c:) and press ENTER

After copying over files edit the C:\CONFIG.SYS text file.

EDIT C:\CONFIG.SYS (please leave a space between edit and config.sys) and press ENTER

Add the following line: device=himem.sys then press CTRL + X and then press Y to save.


Shut down the Laptop and swap over to the CD Drive and after rebooted you will have a screen showing the CD drive has been found by MSDOS and a drive letter assigned, lets assume it is drive D:

At the C:\>_ command prompt type:

SMARTDRV and press ENTER

Then insert the Windows 2000 0r Windows XP CD as you will need to navigate to the I386 folder, at the C:\>_ command prompt type:

D: and press ENTER
CD I386 and press ENTER
WINNT and press ENTER

Just follow instructions on the screen to install.................................................voila!

Also read Microsoft Knowledge Base, applicable to both versions of Windows, please be aware that this will list a dual boot after installation!

Also see Windows NT4, Windows 95/95A and Windows 95B/95C/98/ME installations