[fiLmNut]

First, I am trying to re-install windows XP on a an Asus Eee PC 7" Netbook. The bootable disc is connected through and external USB CD-Drive. Done it dozens of times. Now the problem is that when I reach the blue screen to AGREE (F8) to The Licensing Agreement, nothing happens, the other commands work, not F8.

Unlike other solutions for others... NO the key is not locked on Fn or anything else.

Second, when re-booting I cannot get the computer to enter set-up F2 through the BIOS.

Occurence that preceded this was my significant other unintentionally interrupted a Windows Update process. When I re-booted the following morning, it said set-up was interrupted and is restoring old configurtion, which led to a blue screen explaining a complicated error saying it cannot re-configure. Later a screen explaining CHKDSK skips the process on it's own. Hence the re-format attempt. The keyboard is built into the Netbook.

[fiLmNut]

Is there anymore information I need to provide for some insight? Is there no way to just wipe the computer through the CMD screen?

[DerekC]

Do you have a USB keyboard that you can try?

[fiLmNut]

No I haven't.

Assuming that DIDN'T work anyhow, what would you then suggest?

[jet8300]

It sounds like maybe your hard drive has errors or something. Immediately after the F8 screen is where you select drive/partition layout so maybe that's why it's hanging there. Can you get to the repair console and run "chkdsk -r" ?

[fiLmNut]

I am unable to go forward or backwards from the F8 screen.

The ONLY way out (So to speak) of the agree screen is Esc, which leads me to a screen with a red progress bar that says the computer will re-boot in 15 seconds unless I press Enter, which skips the 15 seconds and re-boots immediately.

I do remember that I CAN get to a screen that allows me to wipe a partition, but no further from that.

Also, I can get to a CMD screen that asks me to select '1' then a password. The rest of the times I got to the CMD screen it said C:\>

[jet8300]

Yeah, you need to get to that command prompt. One of the options during setup is the Recovery Console, and you need to follow the instructions to log into your main windows installation. It'll come up with that c:\ prompt and that is where you run chkdsk. Run "chkdsk -r" and let it go through the whole process. If it finds errors let it repair them. After that try rebooting. It may boot up then, or at least allow you to re-install windows.

[fiLmNut]

I typed in chkdsk -r and it quickly said this: The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems.

I am back to C:\>

[jet8300]

I'm sorry, try chkdsk /r not -r. Does it attempt to fix the errors?

[fiLmNut]

chkdsk /r i get the same message back. Zero attempt. The first command had the disc spinning for a moment though.

For the heck of it I tried chkdsk/r (No spaces) and got The command is not recognized TYPE help for a list of supported commands.

Is there no way to just format the drive from here? I have nothing on the computer that needs saving.

[jet8300]

At this point I'd do FIXMBR and then FIXBOOT and then try chkdsk again.

[fiLmNut]

** CAUTION **

This computer appears to have a non-standard or invalid master boot record.

FIXMBR may damage your partition tables if you proceed.

This could cause all the partitions on the current hard disk to become inaccessible.

If you are not having problems accessing your drive, do not continue.

Are you sure you want to write a new MBR?

[jet8300]

If you're okay with the possibility of losing the data that's on that drive, then yes. I've never seen this fail and corrupt any data, but it is possible.

[fiLmNut]

Are you sure you want to write a new MBR? Y
Writing new master boot record on physical drive
\device\harddisk0\Partition0.

The new master boot record has been successfully written.

C:\>FIXBOOT

FIXBOOT cannot find the system drive, or the drive specified is not valid.

C:\>

[jet8300]

I'm PM'ing you, since it's just you and I going back and forth right now.