Installing XP Pro

Question

I just purchaed a Dimension 520.  It has Vista Home Basic already installed.  I need to wipe out the harddrive and install Windows XP Pro.   Using system setup, I make the system boot from the DVD/CD drive.  I insert the XP Pro disk and shut the machine down.   When the machine boots up, it never askes me to format the disk partitions.  It immediately starts trying to run Windows XP Pro.  It craps out.   I've done this a hundred times before on my Dimension 510.

jmwills · Answer

Insert the disc in the tray and reboot. Hit F12 to select a one time boot option and coose the DVD/Cd drive. This process stops you from entering the BIOS setup. Choose a fresh install of XP, delete all exisitng partions (I mean all) create two new ones, one of about 30 gigs for the OS and programs and one for your data.

To get the message you are getting, you have missed a step.

http://willsit.com/resources.aspx

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm#Install

Driver Installation:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&docid=1A0C0937D62A8739E0401E0A55174744&journalid=4F1F82483DC811DBAE564F9328EE04A4&l=en&s=gen

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&dn=1090643

To find and download the drivers for your system, scroll down the page on click on
"Drivers and Downloads". Then enter your Service Tag or model number of your computer.
Select your operating system and then download the drivers that you need.

GooberSeven · Answer

jmwills,   Here is the solution.   It's the SATA Operation setting in the bios.   XP will only run if it's set to 'Raid Autodetect / ATA'   Vista will only run if it's set to 'Raid On'

jmwills · Answer

The newer machines come preset.  Fro about the past 6 months now.

zainashraf · Answer

my personal experience is, dell computer cannot boot with xp retail or something like that. maybe u can use your oem cd given with your older computer, than update it.

simpswr · Answer

You can use any version of XP on a Dell . . Retail, Upgrade or OEM . . as long as the corresponding Product Code is used . . The product code on the sticker on the pc is for an OEM version

jmwills · Answer

The Dell supplied disc will not need a product code.

simpswr · Answer

True . . but if you use a non-branded OEM install disc, you will need the Product Code

LatinMcG · Answer

ok this how its worked always for me.. hp home retail works with dell pcs. if its give error its chipset and sata support needs to be slipstreamed (use nliteos.com )the chipset has to be extracted and then create iso with nlite. the bootsector old.bink.nu website has one in .bin ext.

jmwills · Answer

I have ine machine at home that has had a retail verison of XP, the Dell supplied copied, my Action Pack susbscription, copy, and finally a Tech net copy.  I have yet to see any errors druing any of the intsall.

Windows General

Installing XP Pro

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