probably a noob question

Tadow · 08-10-2007, 10:07 AM

I have one of my pc's here at work running Ubuntu and I want to reformat and install a student copy of Server 2003. I have the boot setup in Cmos setup to boot off of the CD drive and I figured all I would have to do is boot from the Server 2003 cd (like I did when I installed Ubuntu), but it won't it just boots straight into Ubuntu.

King X13 · 08-10-2007, 10:14 AM

do you have the order correct in the bios?

most people set boot order to be:

1) floppy
2)CD drive
3) Hard drive

if the boot order is correct and still not going to the CD, look when your screen POSTs when you boot and look for the key to press to get your boot menu. if its a Dell F12 is your best bet. and then just select CD drive to force it to look there first.

If it is a copied disc it may have been done wrong and not be bootable.

Tadow · 08-10-2007, 10:17 AM

Yeah it's set to boot to cd first

It is a copied cd.

King X13 · 08-10-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tadow

It is a copied cd.

that is most likely your problem, in how it was copied. try getting to the boot options menu and force it to CD drive like i suggested. legitimate versions normally dont cause errors.

Tadow · 08-10-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King X13

that is most likely your problem, in how it was copied. try getting to the boot options menu and force it to CD drive like i suggested. legitimate versions normally dont cause errors.

Yeah I think so too. I just set the boot sequence to only boot from the CD drive and it didn't work.

Do you think I should reinstall XP and then set up another partition and install it there through XP?

King X13 · 08-10-2007, 10:33 AM

if the CD is lacking the files to even boot correctly who knows what other files are missing and i can almost bet if you do get it installed in some "workaround" fashion you will almost certainly BSOD as files are already missing. get a new CD is your best alternative.

kpmwrestler · 08-10-2007, 12:14 PM

next time when you copy a cd, use a program that will make a complete ISO image, then when you burn a copy, it will be bootable.

Tadow · 08-10-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpmwrestler

next time when you copy a cd, use a program that will make a complete ISO image, then when you burn a copy, it will be bootable.

I didn't copy it. It was given to me from a co-worker who got it through his school as a student version. Thanks for the advice though

TheRecluse · 08-10-2007, 06:32 PM

are you sure you aren't missing a prompt that says something to the effect of "press enter to boot from cd"?

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