Need to nuke a computer to install advanced server

[DDD]

I know how to format. But the cd I have I am not sure if it will let me boot from it to install the new OS (Advanced Server). It is a copy of the original cd. I want to know before I nuke the computer. Any advice on doing this? Also the computer currently has XP on it. When I insert the cd it says cant go back to a older version OS or something like that.

[simplistik]

Umm... in your bios set your primary boot device to CD... you should then be able to run a format.

[DDD]

when I do that tho. It seems to detect I have XP installed and it tells me it cant install a prior OS over the new one. Cant go backwards basically. So I am thinking I have to nuke it then do a fresh install. But I just want to make sure I can do that or that is the righ process.

[simplistik]

when I do that tho. It seems to detect I have XP installed and it tells me it cant install a prior OS over the new one. Cant go backwards basically. So I am thinking I have to nuke it then do a fresh install. But I just want to make sure I can do that or that is the righ process.
yea, sounds that way... what I used to always do... was keep a windows ME disk with me cause that was the last disk you could boot from into DOS and be able to run a format c: /s and an fdisk.

[squireglig]

Copying the original CD usually requires special parameters to be set when you burn the CD.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp1_cd.htm

check out the links at the bottom for burning in the proper way with various programs and you'll see what i mean (it might be different for a different OS). Not sure if this will be a problem, but I wanted to throw that out there in case, as I had made a copy of an XP CD, wiped my computer and found out the hard way that it wasnt a bootable disc...

[DDD]

That is exactly what I am talking about :thumb: I dont have the original Advanced Server CD. And that is what I am afraid of will happen. SO I wanted to know if there is a safe route to go about this. I dont want to buy advanced server again.

[simplistik]

That is exactly what I am talking about :thumb: I dont have the original Advanced Server CD. And that is what I am afraid of will happen. SO I wanted to know if there is a safe route to go about this. I dont want to buy advanced server again.
My guess would be if you did the boot from CD and it detected that you already had a newer version... it's bootable ;)

[DDD]

yea but if it gets into the process and finds out a .dll or library item is missing then I am screwed. Is there a way to check the cd or install package on the cd.

[Templarian]

^do a quick partion (your going to format anyway right), and install.

[DDD]

Partition what I have now then install AS into a new partition? I am not the best comp tech, sorry if that is a bone head question.

[Templarian]

^exactly... then if it works just format everything(this will delete partion and reset the whole HD to nothingnessisity, and install and have fun.

[DDD]

One last question. Do I use something like partition magic to do this?

[Templarian]

DDD seach the forums theres a ton of threads on partioning software (and i have no idea about them).

[DDD]

tru dat, but since I had your ear and you seemed knowledgeable on it. I figured I'd ask.

[Templarian]

yep. i, and i check posts every 45minutes (and Auto Assault Beta is still downloading i have free time).

[Maxtr0sity]

Partition Magic will do the trick, you should probably expand 5-10GB for this partition just to test it out.