I'm not kidding at all when I say, it all fell apart exactly like I expected it to.
There are two identical OS', besides windows: The failed CD Debian, And the now-failed NETINST Debian, both reading each others files, causing confusion, not to mention the two menus now. When the original menu pops up, I need to select Windows, just to get to another menu, with windows and Debian. Try again....

This is so freaking strange, I really don't have a clue why this is happening. If I understand correctly you are just booting from the Grub4Dos which refers to an image of Debian. Is there any possibility you can make screenshots of the steps you make before rebooting into Linux and post them?

Kind regards,

Eric

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This is getting out of hand. One install attempt creates a menu. Another attempt creates a SUB-menu. I actually now have 3 Debians. I need to clean the shxt off.

The error box, after the initial reboot (approx 2 min into the installation) says, Your CD Rom could not be mounted. Put it in the drive and try again.

There is definately cross-talk between the two attempted Debians. In the past few min I was asked for my password. WHAT? I didn't eve get far enough to CREATE a password.

I suppose this couldn't actually happen when you are trying to install over a completely different OS, like Debian over Slackware, or Fedora over Windows.

Sub-GRUBs

Hi,

Ok, first things first, let's clean up everything.

Open your c:\boot.ini file and delete the line
Next delete all the files in the directory C:\boot. That should take care of your boot menu problem and the multiple images.

After that clean up all your partitions except the Windows partition of course.

Next step is to extract the two necessary files from the netinst iso as explained in the howto you used.

And then start from scratch installing grub4dos and configuring the boot options.

That should at least give you a clean install with only this Debian netinst.

Kind regards,

Eric

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I would try it here but problem is that I don't have any Windoze pc in the house.

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In my unqualified opinion, I'd say it's not any hardware issue. My winderz installs and operates like a dreamboat. I'm on a 30-day trial of xp, re-installed monthly for several years now. I like to be objectional but I don't think I an idiot when partitioning and formatting, and I'm always always careful when making OS selections, changes. I just think there is too much JUNK on my drives, IMO

You always install your Windows from CD right? Do you have any option, a friend or so that can download the Debian NETINST image for you and burn it on a CD from which you can then boot?

ok, zapped the files, then will re-dl the grub4dos, then clean the partition....

is the netinst any different from the iso cd that i was using all week?

Ok, winderz is formatting the drive. That should do the trick! Still on 20%, so I will go roll a cig n smoke a bit. Then I'll get back to creating the boot thingy

Yeah, the NETINST CD is only the basics that get you up and running and connected to the internet. Then in the last option you can choose any additional software to install and it will download, install and configure it automatically.

I never worked with the CD you downloaded but don't understand why and where it went wrong.

Kind regards,

Eric

Ok, enjoy your smoke, I quit this year in January after 30 years between 1 and 2 packs a day. Sometimes though I can appreciate the smell, it's an ever ongoing battle.

Kind regards,

Eric

Chain reaction initiated after manipulation of grub menu, resulting in winderz crashing, before I ever had the opportunity to NETINST the Debian. Likely my human error. All this time I have been repairing, then reinstalling, winderz.

Now, the drive is clean. I will gather necessary recourses and proceed with NETINST.