Computer won’t boot to Win XP

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I did a clean install with Wipe Drive Pro and placed the XP CD in the drive. Both bios and boot services were set to check CD drive first. But when it starts the boot process Nvidia boot loader takes over and of course the pc is unbootable. I have tried all I know, which is little, to fix, but I am beside myself as to how to get the computer to boot into Win XP. Any suggestions? I need guru help, please.

Mods if this post is in wrong location, please move. Thank you.

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I did a clean install with Wipe Drive Pro (clean install of what?)
Both bios and boot services (in XP?) were set to check CD drive first
But when it starts the boot process Nvidia boot loader takes over (I’m not familiar with this, but assume it is a ROM loader-that you disable in the BIOS)
how to get the computer to boot into Win XP (the OS installed on the hard drive? or the install CD?)
a little more information will go a long way

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I did a clean install with Wipe Drive Pro (clean install of what?)
Both bios and boot services (in XP?) were set to check CD drive first
But when it starts the boot process Nvidia boot loader takes over (I’m not familiar with this, but assume it is a ROM loader-that you disable in the BIOS)
how to get the computer to boot into Win XP (the OS installed on the hard drive? or the install CD?)
a little more information will go a long way

I’m sorry, I’m not giving more detailed explanation, but please stay with me. The computer had XP already installed and as it was going to go to someone else I WIPED the drive of all information

It cannot be disabled in the Bios.

As the computer has no operating system, I’m trying to do a new install of Win XP.

I hope that I have clarified my original post and answered your questions, and please excuse my manners, thank you for your reply it is appreciated.

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Do you get an error message?
— If so what is it?

Since Nvidia boot loader is a factor, try VGA. If you can get XP to be reinstalled properly then you could go back to try Nvidia, seating, drivers etc

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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No error messages.

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I assume when you say “nvidia boot loader” you are referring to “Nvidia RAID controller”. Are the hard disk(s) recognised and further to that is the raid volume recognised?

If the machine is not configured for RAID I would disable the functionality in the BIOS.

From here on in, can you confirm the Windows XP CD is bootable, test it on another machine?

Considering the above, unless the Windows XP CD has Nvidia mass storage controller drivers slipstreamed into it then it won’t find your hard disks once you get to the Windows XP setup.

If the person receiving the computer is more technically savvy then leave the job to them or install a linux distribution like Ubuntu which is free (no licensing issues)

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I only know that the Nvidia loader shows up on the screen, wether it’s a Raid controller I don’t know.The XP is bootable as I tried it on another machine. The machine is being given to a older family member who is less experienced than me, but thanks for your help.

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“unless the Windows XP CD has Nvidia mass storage controller drivers slipstreamed into it then it won’t find your hard disks once you get to the Windows XP setup” in post 6 is correct
— If you are using a new XP CD and not the original XP CD, Nvidia isn’t included
— On the computer that you tested the new XP CD, was it using VGA or Nvidia or another application?

Have you tried VGA?
— If you can at least get into XP you can get back to taking care of Nvidia afterward
— Go to the computer manufacturers website to get the drivers for the computers make/model
— You could also go to Device Manager and see if there are any yellow or red markers for Nvidia or anything else
— I suspect Device Manager will show whether or not you have RAID controllers but if it doesn’t doesn’t, run belarc.com

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Back to the basics – what hardware is installed in this system?
How many drives, how much memory, what kind of video card, who made the motherboard and what model is it?
Do you have IDE hard drives and CD-Rom or are they Sata drives (makes a difference in XP)?
Are all of the drives correctly identified in the BIOS?
Disconnect all hard drives, but leave the CD-Rom drive attached – does the system boot from the CD?

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I found the problem. The drive I installed earlier was old and didn’t work in the boot mode. I installed a newer drive and it booted flawlessly. All is good now. Thanks to all that took the time to try and help me. It was truly appreciated. THANK YOU! :cheers::cheers:

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