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28.3.24 0713
The W - Internet & Computers - Installing Windows XP on a Linux computer
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TheBucsFan
TheChiefsFan








Since: 2.1.02

Since last post: 3516 days
Last activity: 3516 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.11
So I'm trying to do exactly what the thread title says. Here is a Microsoft page that gives some instructions, but it means pretty much nothing to me. I don't understand it, and I know virtually nothing about Linux.

Can someone tell me a simple way to reformat the drive and install Windows? I don't have a Linux boot disk, and that Microsoft page seems to suggest I need one, unless I misunderstand it. I do, of course, have a Windows XP Pro CD, but when I start the computer up I don't get the option to boot from the CD.

Edit: Alternatively, if someone can recommend a program that would allow me to play PC games on said Linux machine, that would also solve my problem. I see a few via a Google search, but again, I know nothing about Linux and I don't know which one would be best.

(edited by TheBucsFan on 8.9.09 0408)
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AWArulz
Scrapple








Since: 28.1.02
From: Louisville, KY

Since last post: 99 days
Last activity: 99 days
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.63
Depending on your PC, Bucs, you can set the CD/DVD as a boot device. Try hitting F2 as it boots and change the boot order,



We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.

That the universe was formed by a fortuitous concourse of atoms, I will no more believe than that the accidental jumbling of the alphabet would fall into a most ingenious treatise of philosophy - Swift

StingArmy
Andouille








Since: 3.5.03
From: Georgia bred, you can tell by my Hawk jersey

Since last post: 2957 days
Last activity: 549 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.39
(I should probably have a better response for you considering how many times I've installed, uninstalled, reinstalled, etc. Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X operating systems on my PCs, but let's start here.)

I believe in most BIOSes there's an option to allow you to change the boot sequence of your computer. By default for most computers it goes floppy drive (if you have one), hard disk 1, CD drive. Or it might go floppy drive, hard disk, USB, etc. You get the point.

Edit that option so that your CD drive goes first. If you have a Windows XP install disc, you should be able to boot from it and it'll take care of everything else for you. It's most likely going to reformat your entire hard drive, though, so make sure you have anything important backed up somewhere else.

EDIT: ...aaaaand I'm too slow. D'oh!

- StingArmy

(edited by StingArmy on 7.9.09 1723)
TheBucsFan
TheChiefsFan








Since: 2.1.02

Since last post: 3516 days
Last activity: 3516 days
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.11
So this still isn't doing it. I can't find out how to alter the boot sequence. I tried holding F2, F11, Delete and Esc during startup and none of them did anything.

The message I get during the normal startup says "Push esc for menu" with a two-second countdown, but when I push esc nothing happens. It then goes to a screen saying it's starting up from the HD.

The problem is not the keyboard, as I've tested it on another PC. Getting the computer online would be a real pain in the ass, so I'm hoping to just install Windows rather than download a program that allows me to play the game I want to play.

I'm not a PC person anyway, but this is really not selling me on Linux. It should not be difficult for me to reformat a disk or install a new operating system.
cranlsn
Toulouse








Since: 18.3.02
From: Hartland, WI

Since last post: 1964 days
Last activity: 66 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.51

Can you give us a make/model for the PC in question? Some use different keys to access the BIOS. Such as the DEL key or F12 in some cases.

In addition, when the PC boots, is there a boot page which would indicate what type of BIOS you have? That can make a difference as well.

Not to hijack the thread, but I do have a vested interest in running PC/Windows programs on a Linux box if anyone does come up with suggestions, as I'm going the opposite way with an older computer of ours.
TheBucsFan
TheChiefsFan








Since: 2.1.02

Since last post: 3516 days
Last activity: 3516 days
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.11
    Originally posted by cranlsn
    Can you give us a make/model for the PC in question? Some use different keys to access the BIOS. Such as the DEL key or F12 in some cases.


I was afraid someone would ask that. Afraid because the answer will likely make me look stupid.

The computer is a Sony desktop. That's all I know. If there's more information I can gather from looking at the machine, I don't know where it is. I think I've used a non-Apple computer about three times in the past four years, so I really don't know what I'm doing here.

EDIT: The model, I guess, is a VAIO.


    In addition, when the PC boots, is there a boot page which would indicate what type of BIOS you have? That can make a difference as well.


At one point, the startup screen reads like this:

Booting from (hd 0,0) ext 3

I don't know if that answers your question.

(edited by TheBucsFan on 8.9.09 0920)
tarnish
Landjager








Since: 13.2.02
From: Back in the Heart of Hali

Since last post: 578 days
Last activity: 22 hours
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.41
    Originally posted by TheBucsFan
    I'm not a PC person anyway, but this is really not selling me on Linux. It should not be difficult for me to reformat a disk or install a new operating system.


This problem you're having has absolutely nothing to do with the operating system that's installed on the computer and everything to do with Sony making it difficult to get into the BIOS to change the boot order. Sounds like there's an extremely quick POST process which reduces the amount of time you have to press the correct key.

I did my best with Google and it appears that Sony is one of those companies that likes to be different with respect to the BIOS access key. Various sites have suggested F1, F2, and F3 mostly.

Here's what I would try:
- power up the computer;

- from the moment the light goes on or you hear a beep, start tapping a single key at a reasonably slow rate;

- if you see the "Booting from (hd0,0) ext3" message, the Linux bootloader has already engaged and you might as well hit the Reset button and try another key.

By doing it this way, you will eventually figure out which key is the magic one. Don't hold the key down or tap it incessantly as you're most likely just going to cause a keyboard error which would obscure the fact that you had the correct key. If you get a keyboard error, try the same key again next time, but go more slowly.
AWArulz
Scrapple








Since: 28.1.02
From: Louisville, KY

Since last post: 99 days
Last activity: 99 days
#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.62
Because it possibly could be many things, take a look at this page

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/07/06/comprehensive-list-of-how-key-to-press-to-access-bios-for-various-oem-and-computer-systems/

Note that some BIOS or computer systems may have more than one method of accessing BIOS depending on when the BIOS is released.

Sony (VAIO, PCG-Series, VGN-Series): Press [F1], [F2] or [F3] After Turning On the Computer
Sony Vaio 320 Series: Press [F2] During Boot

I read some VAIO users talking about Phoenix bios in the Sony

two things
Note that for some older system with Phoenix BIOS, the following steps are required to get to BIOS setup screen:

1. Exit or boot up to DOS.
2. Press [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Esc] to enter setup screen.
3. If hot key sequence above doesn’t work due to changes or problems been made on the system, then try to use the key to lock the keyboard while leaving computer switched on.
4. Press the Reset button on the front of the computer. A message will appear asking user to unlock the keyboard.
5. Unlock the keyboard and press [F2] to run the CMOS setup.
6. Press [Del] to bring up the CMOS setup program.



and

Phoenix BIOS (Phoenix-Award BIOS): Press [Del] During Power On Self-Test
Phoenix BIOS (Phoenix-Award BIOS) – Old Version: Press [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[S], [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Esc], [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Ins] or [Ctrl]+[S] During Power On Boot Self-Test Right After Startup

seriously, one of those just HAS to work, doesn't it?
(maybe not)



We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.

That the universe was formed by a fortuitous concourse of atoms, I will no more believe than that the accidental jumbling of the alphabet would fall into a most ingenious treatise of philosophy - Swift

TheBucsFan
TheChiefsFan








Since: 2.1.02

Since last post: 3516 days
Last activity: 3516 days
#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.11
Thanks for all the help and patience. I can't get any of this to work, though. I tried pushing all the F keys during start up separately multiple times and none of them did anything. And I can't figure out via Google how to lock the keyboard via AWA's info. I'd never even heard of locking a keyboard until I read that post.

It's really bizarre. The first screen I see says something about GRUB loading, and says "Press Esc for menu" with a countdown from 2. But when I push escape nothing happens, and it just proceeds to the boot screen I described earlier.

I also have enough free space on this disk to create a Windows partition, but I have no idea how to do that and would prefer not to try. I guess I'll have to download a utility to play this stupid game.
Leroy
Boudin blanc








Since: 7.2.02

Since last post: 12 days
Last activity: 6 days
#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.23
    Originally posted by TheBucsFan
    It's really bizarre. The first screen I see says something about GRUB loading, and says "Press Esc for menu" with a countdown from 2. But when I push escape nothing happens, and it just proceeds to the boot screen I described earlier.


Once you've started GRUB, you're in Linux. All of the suggestions regarding the F-keys are actions to take BEFORE you reach the bootloader (in this case, GRUB).

Once you start the computer, you should be hitting the F-key you're trying IMMEDIATELY.

    Originally posted by TheBucsFan
    I also have enough free space on this disk to create a Windows partition, but I have no idea how to do that and would prefer not to try. I guess I'll have to download a utility to play this stupid game.


You can also try installing WINE. It's a free, and there's an Application Database which allows you to see if your program is works under WINE. However, I've never used WINE beyond the initial install and a brief attempt to get iTunes to work (about three years ago).

(edited by Leroy on 9.9.09 1257)

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Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
Administrator








Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 8 days
Last activity: 16 hours
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#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 9.04
My only thought is that you are using a USB keyboard on a machine that doesn't recognize it until you are in Windows.

Do you have a PS2 keyboard connector on that back of the PC, and if so - are you using it?




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Kishke








Since: 2.1.02
From: West Palm Beach, FL

Since last post: 3525 days
Last activity: 685 days
#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.00
If you HD is big enough, why not just partition it and make it a dual boot machine? That is hoe my laptop is set up. Personally, I don't know how to do it, a friend set it up for me, but he did it all from inside Ubuntu. I don't remember him needing to fiddle with the boot order.
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Well it's Vista, but much faster and cleaned up a bunch. Some nice new features in there. The reviews are MUCH more positive than when Vista was coming out, that's for sure. As for upgrading, the system requirements are pretty much the same.
- wmatistic, Windows 7 out on 10/22 (2009)
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