Chkdsk error when I install XP

As far as I know a completely new install of XP would not fault with a ChkDsk error. That would seem impossible because ChkDsk is an OS utility that would only run on an 'installed' OS. However and having said that, if this XP setup disk is a genuine Microsoft Windows XP CD then it may well have ChkDsk as part of it's Recovery Console, so I don't discount what you say entirely.

What is the full error? Is it a BSOD, (Blue Screen of Death) screen? If so, what is the STOP ERROR Code?

If the code is 0x7B or 0x0000007B then there is a previous discussion about this here;
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6142_102-329362.html

(Note that if this laptop does not have a floppy disk drive, then the drivers mentioned can be stored on some USB memory stick or similar).

But even if the error is not that, then the problems likely remain the same.

This is an XP install on a more modern computer and that computer is probably using SATA hard drives. XP does not know what SATA hard drives are and needs SATA drivers to be installed during the setup procedure itself.

In addition, you will need the chipset/motherboard drivers, soundcard drivers, video card drivers and any ethernet board drivers to be installed, but they can be installed when the OS installation is complete.

Does HP say that this model laptop you have supports downgrading to XP? You should be able to find that out from their web site, and they 'may have' all the right drivers for the machine.

An alternative is to see if the system's BIOS will allow the SATA Mode to be changed to IDE emulation. If so, then that might solve the problem.

This is not easy. Any reason why you can't reinstall Vista?

Mark

Read http://forums.cnet.com/7726-7587_102-2699006.html

Did you notice that the drivers are not on a web site? This is why you get to talk to HP when you install XP on their laptops.
Bob