Need help (step by step instructions) for installing Windows XP on XPS 420

Question

I'm trying to install Windows XP on my XPS 420.  I have all the drivers that I need.  I have changed my bios to boot from CD before the hard drive. I have an original XP Pro CD (not SP2) and when I boot to the CD, the install process starts.  I press F6 when prompted for the SATA drivers but when I try and install them (I have them on CD), it is looking for a floppy drive to install them from.  I can't point it to the DVD drive with the drivers and so I'm stuck.  I don't have a floppy drive that I can just plug in and use unfortunately.    Any tips on what to do and how to make this work? Does anybody have a step by step process to follow when installing XP on the XPS 420?   Any help is appreciated.   Thx.

sawaddi · Answer

You need a very recent Dell XP SP2 CD or a USB floppy for the SATA drivers.

unbeeleev · Answer

Ok...I've borrowed an internal floppy drive from a neighbor...and its installed now.

Do I still need WinXP Pro SP2?

I'm trying to install the SATA drivers but I'm not sure what my hardware is...

which one is it? I have a single 250GB hard drive in there.

    - Intel(R) 82801IR/IO SATA RAID Controller (Desktop ICH9R)
    - Intel(R) 82801IR/IO SATA AHCI Controller (Desktop ICH9R)
    - Intel(R) 82801HEM SATA RAID Controller (Mobile ICH8M-E)
    - Intel(R) 82801HEM SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH8M-E)
    - Intel(R) 82801HBM SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH8M)
    - Intel(R) 82801HR/HH/HO SATA RAID Controller (Desktop ICH8R)
    - Intel(R) 82801HR/HH/HO SATA AHCI Controller (Desktop ICH8R)
    - Intel(R) 631xESB/632xESB SATA RAID Controller (Workstation ESB2)
    - Intel(R) 82801GHM SATA RAID Controller (Mobile ICH7RM)
    - Intel(R) 82801GBM SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH7M)
    - Intel(R) 82801GR/GH SATA RAID Controller (Desktop ICH7R/DH)
    - Intel(R) 82801GR/GH SATA AHCI Controller (Desktop ICH7R/DH)

paulbeattie87 · Answer

Sure you needed RAID Drivers with a single drive?? MY current system has SATA and it never needed any drivers, its an Asus motherboard.

Anyway the X38 seems to be paired with:
- Intel(R) 82801IR/IO SATA RAID Controller (Desktop ICH9R)
- Intel(R) 82801IR/IO SATA AHCI Controller (Desktop ICH9R)

unbeeleev · Answer

Paul did you install XP on your XPS machine?  Just curious how you got XP to recognize the SATA drive since XP (at least the non-SP2 install disks) don't recognize my drive and it prevents me from continuing the OS installation.  Based on other posting, you need to install the SATA drivers when installing XP (using this driver:  http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R158601&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=211963)   I don't have a RAID configuration (only 1 hard drive) but when I tried installing the SATA driver I was prompted with a choice of configurations.   Just wondering if getting XP Pro SP2 disks will be the magic bullet.   Thx for the help again.

Davet50 · Answer

Go here

the second one down Serial ATA these are your XP drivers...extract them to the ROOT DIRECTORY of a floppy into the A:\ directory..

No a SP2 disk will still require the SATA Drivers

If you don't have a floppy you could slipstream them into SP2 disk...

Message Edited by Davet50 on 01-27-2008 04:46 PM

unbeeleev · Answer

Go where?  I don't see a link in your posting.  Thx.

Davet50 · Answer

Man i gotta stop doing that second time today smiley,,,,   http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=Tech_Talk_XPS&thread.id=30626   Hope this will help..

b2b66e5f886e447 · Answer

here is a web site telling how too reload step by step directions   http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/InstallXPPro/installxppro1.htm

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