Ubuntu

Can't load Windows from CD. "Cannot find Autorun program"

Asked by the2nd3rd

I'm getting the message "Error Autorunning Program Cannot find the Autorun program" after inserting a Windows XP CD for installation. I expected to be able to install Windows on my computer and use both Windows and Linux.

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
Tom
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Koen (koen-beek) said : 		#1

You need to power up with the CD in the drive.
If it does not boot to the CD, you may need to change a bios option to allow it.

Revision history for this message
the2nd3rd (bostondorch) said : 		#2

Thanks a lot for your suggestion. However, it won't boot from the CD.

It's getting hung up with a black screen after the message "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration".

My Primary Drive is set to "1" and the secondary drive is set to "0". I changed the Boot Sequence so that only the "IDE CD-ROM Device" is checked. By the way, I don't know if it makes a difference or not but my actual drive is a DVD-R.

Additionally, even though the Primary Drive is unchecked in the Boot Sequence it still boots from the hard drive when the IDE CD-ROM Device is bypassed.

Revision history for this message
Steve Dodier-Lazaro (sidi) said : 		#3

Hi,

Please see : https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot
It's recommanded to install Windows first and then Ubuntu, though, because when you install Windows, it will erase the program called "grub" that allows you to chose on which OS you want to boot.

For Windows installation specific questions, you'll have more luck with Windows support forums or IRC channels, though.

Revision history for this message
Best Tom (tom6) said : 		#4

The error you describe is really a Windows error and this is a Linux help forum so there probably isn't a lot we can do to help. If you haven't already got Windows on your system then it's probably best to avoid installing Windows at all.

One of the main reasons for having a dual-boot with Windows is to avoid getting rid of Windows at all precisely because installing Windows is very difficult. Even after you've installed Windows itself and fixed all it's problem enough to get it working it still then lacks basic programs such as Office programs and other basic stuff that a computer needs these days. Of course OpenOffice have a Windows version ...
http://download.openoffice.org/
http://www.openoffice.org/
http://download.openoffice.org/other.html
but many other programs will also need to be found and installed separately.

If you really need to install Windows on your machine then it might be a lot more useful if you install Ubuntu (or other linux distro) and then install VirtualBox
System - Administration - Synaptic Package Manager
use the "Search" button to find "VirtualBox" and install it.

This sets up a "Virtual Machine" which then works inside Ubuntu but is very fast. You can try installing Windows onto the virtual machine created within Ubuntu! I believe you can even use the same product key as your physical machine used to use for Windows and get the Virtual machine accepted as legitimate - after all it is the same hardware, the same real machine - just a reinstall really! :) You still have the usual install problems but at least you have access to OpenOffice through Ubuntu as well as all the other 'standard' programs in Ubuntu. I think this means you can copy&paste from within the Windows into Ubuntu or the other way around!

Really though i would recommend avoiding Windows altogether! Now that you haven't got it, just go pure linux! It's much better, just be really Free ;)
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows#Differences%20between%20Ubuntu%20and%20Windows

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Antivirus

Good luck and regards from
Tom :)

Revision history for this message
Andre Mangan (kyphi) said : 		#5

You will have to provide more information, the2nd3rd.

Do you have Ubuntu installed on one drive and now you want to install XP on the other drive?

If the latter is true, then open your computer casing and disconnect the power from the Ubuntu drive. Now try to install XP.

Revision history for this message
the2nd3rd (bostondorch) said : 		#6

Thanks Tom, that solved my question.

Revision history for this message
the2nd3rd (bostondorch) said : 		#7

Thanks to all. I greatly appreciate the thoughtful and helpful responses.

Revision history for this message
Tom (tom6) said : 		#8

Thanks :))))
I hope it all goes well now :)
Good luck and regards from
Tom :)