Windows setup could not read the XP CD

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Windows setup could not read the XP CD

Um little help here asap please?

I ran Bootcamp and partitioned the drive, then I put my XP CD in and started the setup. But before I got to set it up, on the blue screen it says:

"Setup could not read the CD you inserted, or the CD is not a valid Windows CD"
Then it gives me a bunch of possible Windows CDs to insert.

Well I know this is the right CD with Service Pack 2 because I've used it before on my desktop PC.

Now if I exit the setup and try to restart my Mac it goes straight to the setup again and fails to do it again.

What am i doing wrong here? Is it possible this is because I have used the Windows CD on 3 different computers (which is all I'm allowed to install it on)? But then, wouldn't I be told this when I try to type the product key? I haven't gotten to start the installation yet... :/

Someone help please?

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Dec 31, 2008 4:26 AM

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Answer 1

Hvalbiff

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Dec 31, 2008 1:29 PM in response to u2hmtmkmkm

You should read the Bootcamp instructions. You can only use a full Windows XP CD, not an upgrade CD and it has to be at least SP2. If you used that but still have a problem then it maybe the partition you try to install Windows on. Bootcamp creates a formatted partition for Windows but you MUST format again during the Windows installation or it won't work. This is explicitly mentioned in the Bootcamp howto.

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Answer 2

u2hmtmkmkm Author

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Jan 1, 2009 2:58 AM in response to Hvalbiff

But I've followed the howto exactly as it is set out. And it's the academic edition of Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2.

I don't even get as far as the formatting again stage. I get as far as Point #5 of Step 2 which says "Your computer starts up from the Windows installation disc. Follow the onscreen instructions." which I do... When the computer boots from the Windows Disk it does the blue screen stuff and loads a bunch of comp tech at the bottom of the screen. Then I'm presented with a screen that says "Windows XP Professional Setup. Welcome to Setup. This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft<R> Windows<R> XP to run on your computer. To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER"

I do that. Then it loads and gives me the Licensing Agreement which I agree to. Then it says Setup cannot find a previous version of Windows installed on this computer and it needs to verify that I'm allowed to use this upgrade product. Please insert one of "bla bla bla". Of course the Windows installation disc is in there so I press Enter like it says to and then...

Setup cannot read the CD you inserted, or the CD is not a valid Windows CD...

I don't actually GET to the stage you mention.

Could this be because this Windows Installation disc has been used on all of the computers it is allowed to be used on?

Sigh.

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Answer 3

Hvalbiff

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Jan 1, 2009 7:29 AM in response to u2hmtmkmkm

You are using the academic edition of XP, this is an upgrade CD and that doesn't work in Bootcamp. I had the same problem and needed a full version of XP. This is also mentioned in the Bootcamp manual. You cannot use an upgrade CD because Windows will ask for the original CD and you can not switch CD's during this process within the Bootcamp procedure. You will have to buy a full version of Windows XP SP2 or SP3.

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Answer 4

u2hmtmkmkm Author

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Jan 6, 2009 10:19 PM in response to Hvalbiff

Okay I've got a full version of Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and with it has come a new problem.

The partitioning of the Hard Drive went fine, the first phase of the Windows Installation (the one with the DOS-looking display and blue background) went fine - got to 100% then rebooted. Then when it started, it didn't start with Windows XP, it just spat the Installation disc out and left a black screen that says:

"Disk Error. Press any key to continue."

But pressing any key does nothing. And restarting does nothing, whether I have the XP disc in or the MAC installation disc in.

I've checked to make sure the Installation disc is valid with no problems by installing it on my desktop PC and that went through without a hitch. I've now wiped that computer to make sure I can use this on the MAC now.

What could possibly be wrong now?

I have checked to make sure that I have the latest Apple OS and the latest software updates and checked to make sure I don't need firmware updates. I've also looked at the Bootcamp PDF manual's troubleshoot section and nothing is in there for this. I've also called Apple who said to call Microsoft who have confirmed it's a valid version of XP with a valid Product Key. They have now sent me back to Apple.

Can anyone help at all?

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Answer 5

Jan 6, 2009 10:55 PM in response to u2hmtmkmkm

Did you ever get the option to select file systems?

Apple has documented this issue in its Knowledge Base, To solve it, your Boot Camp volume will need to be reformatted via Windows Setup. You will be given the option near the middle of the text-mode setup process. If you do not see this choice, you may have a CD with an auto-install script present. Search this forum for removal procedures.

Nate

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Answer 6

Hvalbiff

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Jan 7, 2009 1:08 AM in response to u2hmtmkmkm

I've had the same problem. It is the partition you try to install Windows on. Bootcamp creates a formatted partition for Windows but you MUST format again during the Windows installation or it won't work. This is explicitly mentioned in the Bootcamp manual (installation & setup guide) at the top of page 10:

"Even though Boot Camp pre-formats the Windows partition, this partition can’t be
used to boot the computer. You must reformat the new Windows partition using the
Windows installer. "

See: http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/BootCampInstall-Setup.pdf

Message was edited by: Hvalbiff

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Answer 7

u2hmtmkmkm Author

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Jan 7, 2009 1:59 AM in response to Hvalbiff

Yeah see I noticed that also. I'm following the manual to the letter and I never got that screen. I see it in the manual and can't find any help for the event that one doesn't see this screen. I get the screen that asks me to choose which partition to use. But not the reformat that partition afterwards. Now when I removed the Windows partition and tried it again, I could only get as far as partitioning the drive for Windows, then when I inserted the Installation disc and started the setup, it spat the disc out and asked me to insert a boot disc and press any key, which was a dead screen that I couldn't continue from.

Urgh.

I'll try it again for the umpteenth time and see what happens now.

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Answer 8

u2hmtmkmkm Author

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Jan 8, 2009 4:21 AM in response to u2hmtmkmkm

Same BS.

I never get the option to reformat the Windows partition.

If no one has any idea what to do, I'm done with this nonsense.

Ridiculous.

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Answer 9

Hvalbiff

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Jan 8, 2009 10:54 AM in response to u2hmtmkmkm

If you really follow the manual to the letter then it should work. It worked for me. The only thing I can think of is that you are using a 'strange' Windows CD.

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Answer 10

Jan 8, 2009 9:13 PM in response to Hvalbiff

A friend of mine has just had the same problem. Black Screen as described above.
He spoke with Apple and Microsoft. Apparently BootCamp does NOT always boot the Windows CD properly,which is why my friend never saw the screen in which he needed to re-do the partition. Microsoft told him that to install Windows he should insert the CD and then press OPTION , select the Windows CD as the start up drive and then the Windows installer runs properly.

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Answer 11

Jan 8, 2009 9:25 PM in response to Barbara Passman3

Huh. Strange.

Can you reproduce this behavior? Or if not, would any of our viewers be willing to give this a go? If we indeed have the makings of a bug, then it should be reported directly to Apple.

Nate

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Answer 12

u2hmtmkmkm Author

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Jan 9, 2009 12:07 AM in response to Barbara Passman3

Hey I'll try it, I'll try anything at this point.

But at what stage do you suggest to boot from the CD?

1. Partition the drive in BootCamp, restart without clicking the "Start Installation" and then boot it?

2. Or skip the partitioning in BootCamp altogether and just boot straight from the disc?

And has your friend done this and reported success with it? If that happens, please let me know.

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Answer 13

u2hmtmkmkm Author

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Jan 9, 2009 2:32 AM in response to u2hmtmkmkm

I tried option 1 (above) and that hasn't worked. I'm thinking I'll wait to find out whether your friend's method has worked before I try option 2 because to me it seems risky. But I'm getting the same result as before.

Could it be a bug? You'd most likely know more about whether it is than I would. All I know is I keep trying it, the disc has been validated by Microsoft and it has worked on my PC so it has to be a problem with the Mac software or BootCamp in particular.

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Answer 14

Jan 10, 2009 4:24 PM in response to u2hmtmkmkm

Check it out - I have tried 5 times exactly as the instructions say as well. FULL version XP PRO - SP 2 and each time I have tried I get to different percentages of files copied and then it freezes on me. NADA - I never get to the blue screen that you guys are talking about. I am able to partition and then select that FAT 32 thing for BOOTCAMP but then - NOTHING. Frustrating - Called APPLE (It is a new computer - Macbook Pro.) they say they are not trained in Microsoft applicatins. I say but you advertise that we can run Windows via using their product to set up - BOOTCAMP. NO HELP!!!!

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Answer 15

Lyssa

Level 8

41,327 points

Jan 10, 2009 4:32 PM in response to 1cooltreeguy

Okay. I may have missed a thing or two while reading through this thread.

If you boot from the Windows Install Disc, does the installer run? If you get to the Choose Partition screen, what are the options?

I checked out this guide: http://www.askdavetaylor.com/howdo_i_install_windows_xp_on_my_mac_using_boot_camp1.html

for installing Windows; it's got everything you need to do clearly laid out.

~Lyssa

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