Install XP on Dell Vista PC

Hi,

My friend brought a Dell PC with Vista then decided to return to XP
due to hardware compatibility issues.

He had a Dell XP install CD from an old laptop that's now broken.

Using this old Dell CD he tried installing XP on Vista, the installer
copied all the files to the hard disk but fails to initialize Windows
XP, the message on the blue screen says "check your disk, it may be
corrupted or infected with virus".

This PC came with 30 day free antivirus which did not detect any
viruses, so this message is very strange.

Appreciate any suggestions on how to solve this problem and get a
clean install...

Thanks.

Install XP on Dell Vista PC

The copy of XP from the laptop is an OEM version.  By the license it can't
be installed on a different PC.  When that laptop died the license for XP
died with it.  Besides that is seems there are some technical reasons
preventing it from installing.  Dell installations can be BIOS locked so if
it isn't the right board and BIOS it won't install.

Before trying to install a legit version of XP check on the Dell website for
that model to see if there are XP drivers available.  Some manufacturers are
not supporting XP on some new models.  If XP drivers are available your
friend will need to purchase either an OEM or retail full version of XP or a
retail upgrade version if they own a qualifying OS such as Win
95/98/ME/2000.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

Install XP on Dell Vista PC

This copy we are using to see if XP will work with the PC, if it does
then buying a legit copy is not an issue.

This model is XPS 210 and Dell was selling XP on it before moving to
Vista, so we were surprised why XP CD didnt work.  I checked Dell site
and they have the XP drivers. How to check the BIOS and the right
board?

If it is a restore CD, it will restore the computer to the way it came from

If it is a restore CD, it will restore the computer to the way it came from
the factory.
If you are installing on a different machine, it will have the wrong hardware
& driver configuration.

Install XP on Dell Vista PC

It don't think it will install on that computer because it's looking for the
BIOS on the laptop.  I don't think it will work.  Besides it's an OEM copy,
and by it's license can't be installed on another system.  You'll have to
find an unused copy of a generic OEM XP or a retail copy to test with.  It's
good that there are XP drivers.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

Install XP on Dell Vista PC

Thanks - will try it

the cd rom on the new machine isnt reading the xp disctry copying the disc to

the cd rom on the new machine isnt reading the xp disc

try copying the disc to a new blank cd

Hi,I find it unusual that a unit with Vista preinstalled has 'hardware

Hi,

I find it unusual that a unit with Vista preinstalled has 'hardware
compatibility issues', as these are hammered out by the OEM before the
machine is sold. Or perhaps you are referring to hardware your friend is
adding? If not, then it's more likely there may be a bit of damaged
hardware, and this may be the source of your problems.

One thing: If you or he is trying to install XP by simply formatting the
system this may be insufficient. The installation volume/partition needs to
be removed and a new one created by XP setup, then formatted before
installing. Simply formatting is generally insufficient due to subtle
changes in NTFS used by Vista. Basically, XP doesn't quite understand the
structure and balks when you try installing to it. It will read a volume
formatted by Vista, such as in a dual boot system, it just can't use it for
its own installation.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

All he has to do is format the disk and install the OEM version on the new PC.

All he has to do is format the disk and install the OEM version on the new
PC.  Try to activate and if it goes through, no problem.  If it doesn't,
call MicroSquish and tell them XP is installed on ONE PC only and they will
allow activation.

Been there.  Done that.

Install XP on Dell Vista PC

If Dell sold your friend an Vista-incompatible computer with Vista
installed, then your friend needs to contact Dell for a replacement
and/or warranty support.  The sooner the better.



That would therefore be an OEM license which is permanently bound to
that old laptop.  It is not legitimately transferable to any other
computer, under any circumstances.



Well, forget what I said about warranty support; you've most likely
voided any warranty there might have b een on the new computer.  (But
ask Dell to be certain, different companies have different warranty
policies.)



Not at all.  Didn't you overwrite Vista with WinXP?  So how would you
expect any now erased/overwritten antivirus application to possibly
work?  What you're most likely seeing is the BIOS' built-in virus
protection at work; consult the manual.



Contact Dell for technical assistance in restoringt the laptop to its
original, ex-factory state.  And then ask Dell why the laptop isn't
Vista-compatible.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

I had this problem once.

I had this problem once. What I did was boot from a DOS floppy and used
FDISK to delete the Vista NON-DOS partition. Then booted from the XP CD and
all went as expected.
--------------------
Welcome to the Federal Bureau for Reducing Bureaucracy!