Windows XP install issue.

Question

Hi,   I have a Dell Precision 470.   with two XEON 3.2G 2.0GB (4dimm) DVD+/1 RW 16X PHILIPS FX3400 256MB 250GB Serial ATA   I'm trying to install Windows XP   It write   Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration...   And after it goes to a black screen and stay like this foreever.   Any idea?   I tried to switch for another graphic card a FX570, didn't help.   It currently have Linux on it, so we know that the HD works.   Regards,   Huy

tr4 · Answer

Which version of XP?

huyviet75 · Answer

Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 (32bits version)

tr4 · Answer

Did you delete the linux partition? Also borrow any other version disk to see how far it gets. Any brand or version should work

RoHe · Answer

On some Dell systems (eg, Dimension) you have to run BIOS setup before installing XP and change the hard drive setting to RAID AUTO/ATA, save the change, exit and boot from XP CD. Or, you have to install SATA drivers (typically from a floppy disk) before you can start to load XP.

Ron

huyviet75 · Answer

I have tried another disk, I can't pass the first sentence and I get right after a black screen.   As for deleting the Linux partition, I would if I could get to the step to partition my drive.   I'm a bit puzzle.

huyviet75 · Answer

Hi Ron,   The bios version I have is A06, I haven't seen anything special to do before installing XP.   As for the RAID or the SATA drivers, I'm not even at the step where the install ask for extra drivers, I'm right at the beginning.   I'm very puzzle.

tr4 · Answer

Ron did not mean your bios version. He meant that in bios, different machines have different options. I think you should cut the machine down to minimum components and retry. If it work, start adding parts until it quits. You need to change your bios to boot from cd if not done already

huyviet75 · Answer

I provided the bios version so that people know which version I have, and can tell me if I need to setup a special option because I didn't see any option that would prevent me to install XP.   It is set to boot from the CD, this is why I get the the first line as explain in my first post...   Well, if it is a hardware issue, like you suggest, I'm going to send back the machine to Dell since it is still under warranty!   But I was hoping it was a software issue since Linux is running fine.   Thanks!

RoHe · Answer

Go here and see the BIOS settings screens:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ws470/en/ug_en/advfeat.htm#wp1136537

SATA Operation: Configures the operating mode of the integrated hard drive controller

Make sure it's not set to RAID, unless-of course- you have a RAID setup.

Ron

huyviet75 · Answer

tr4 suggested to delete the Linux Partition, we couldn't delete the partition because the WinXP install was freezing right at the beginning. We found an old version of Partition Magic, and delete the partition and after we were able to install Windows XP. It is really strange, I never had that problem before, but also it is the first time, I reinstall on a machine which has RedHat 4, before it was with other flavor of Linux.   Thanks to everyone.

tr4 · Answer

Glad it worked out for you. And reporting back will help dozens of people in the future.

Windows General

Windows XP install issue.

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