Windows Xp Pro Skips NTFS/FAT formatting

[nesmar18]

I have a problem while installing windows xp pro on my macbook.

I go through the process and when i get to choosing "the correct partition for Windows XP" “C: Partition3 <BOOTCAMP> [FAT32].” I hightlight it and press enter, and it automatically goes to the installation process, it skips the step where I Select an NTFS or FAT format...

Any help?

 

[SammySlim]

How big is your partition? If it's over 32 GB, FAT32 is not an option.

 

[nemoran]

I just got a new mbp and am having this exact same problem. I set up the partition at 50 GB. Just like nesmar18, I don't get an option to format the partition, it just starts the installation.

 

[bobtomay]

I just got a new mbp and am having this exact same problem. I set up the partition at 50 GB. Just like nesmar18, I don't get an option to format the partition, it just starts the installation.

See this

How big is your partition? If it's over 32 GB, FAT32 is not an option.

meaning it will be NTFS

 

[TemWeegEzem]

Iphone AT&T Free texting?

My cousin has an iphone and shes with AT&T they are charging her extra for texting people in Canada.
Is there a way for her to get free texting to Canada?

 

[Mac & Beanz]

Same problem here, (50GB, also) but on an '09 iMac.

Unfortunately this does not allow Windows XP (in my case its Pro, SP2, 32-bit, full version) to format the drive (per page 10 of the Boot Camp Installation and Setup Guide). This is an important step, according to the guide ("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").

I have a problem while installing windows xp pro on my macbook.

I go through the process and when i get to choosing "the correct partition for Windows XP" “C: Partition3 <BOOTCAMP> [FAT32].” I hightlight it and press enter, and it automatically goes to the installation process, it skips the step where I Select an NTFS or FAT format...

Any help?

When it skips the reformat step - you get stuck in a loop. It installs XP in the Windows partition, but upon completion it wants you to 'press any key' to boot from the disk (if you do this you go back to the beginning of the process - repeating the same steps), and if you do not 'press any key' you get a disk error.

Now; you have to hold in the power button to shut-down (keyboard no longer functions). If you hold the option key while restarting, and choose the Windows disk; you get the same disk error.

Any advise on how we have Windows reformat the partition? I know this is our problem

Sammy & Bob; while you are correct that >32GB will be NTFS; the first format step in Boot Camp is choosing “C: Partition3 <BOOTCAMP> [FAT32].” There is no other option and/or instructions. So... while Boot Camp may have formated as NTFS - Windows still does not recognize the Boot Camp format.

 

[Mac & Beanz]

OK... I finally got it!

Some guy named Talez from the macnn forum discovered that the problem is with a file named winnt.sif. Check your Windows XP install disk and see if this file is in the I386 folder. If it is - it will need removed.

Of course this isn't that straight forward, but this other guy, KRGA, from the same forum has a link to Paul Thurrott's site

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)

that has EXCELLENT directions. If you already have SP2 - skip his steps 2 & 3 (as they have to do with slipstreaming SP2 to earlier versions of XP). And don't forget to delete the winnt.sif from the I386 folder before you proceed with Step 4.

In a nutshell

• you copy your install disk to your hard drive (I used my old PC, hopefully for the last time!)
• Delete the troublesome file
• Download the free version of a shareware program named "ISOBuster" to make an image (of the hidden windows file that makes the disk bootable) to (my) C: Drive
• Burn a bootable CD

I had to burn two disks as the first one wouldn't boot. Bad disk I assume. I deleted my earlier partition (using Boot Camp Assistant) and started over (50 GB partition) using my newly created disk and everything worked like a champ!

I'm not totally without computer skills, but they are closer to the bottom of the knowledge chart, so I was a bit worried - but this was really easy. I had no part in arriving at this fix so hopefully, I gave credit where it was due. Conversely, I want no part if anything goes wrong during your trials

Thank You and Good Luck,

~ Rick

 

[nesmar18]

I just got a new mbp and am having this exact same problem. I set up the partition at 50 GB. Just like nesmar18, I don't get an option to format the partition, it just starts the installation.

It might be your Windows CD, that was my problem. The CD i bought was a piece of doo doo, so i borrowed my cousins XP CD and that one worked perfectly.

 

[Dudette26]

My win xp is stuck at 42% for hours!
It says "set up is copyingfiles..."
This is the 2nd time I've ran this and I'm stuck cuz I cannot eject the cd! It just keeps rebooting into setup when I shut it off. help me! I want my mac back!

 

[Dudette26]

So if you hold down the mouseclick at start up it ejects, but why does it keep getting stuck at the same % mark?

 

[Mac & Beanz]

Off the top of my head - it sounds like you have a bad disk.

What version of XP are you working with (Home, Pro, SP?, 32-bit, 64-bit, retail, OEM, system builders)? Just want to make sure you have a compatible disk.

Also - what is the partition size you had boot camp allocate for Windows?

 

[Dudette26]

I'm trying to install windows pro so sp2 and it kept getting stuck at 42%. Ill try cleaning the cd itself.
I set it to 32 ntfs. I have a brand new macbook pro and I'm totally new to macs. This ish is complicated!

Thanks!