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General discussion

Installing Windows XP over Windows Vista

Dec 10, 2006 11:22AM PST

I have Windows Vista RC2 installed on my new Gateway laptop and I'm trying to install Windows XP on it. However, when I insert the CD and open the setup it says that I cannot install an older version of Windows over Windows Vista. When I boot from the Windows XP install disc, it says that It cannot locate my hard drive. My hard drive is a Western Digital WD1200BEVS. I don't know what to do. Have any ideas?

Discussion is locked

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"upgrading" vista to win xp pro
Sep 24, 2007 6:07AM PDT

Brand new Gateway ML3109-came preloaded with Vista
I used a full, legal win xp cd to remove the existing partitions and reformat the hard drive.

I then installed win xp. everything seemed to go fine, until...
the machine reboots at the end of the windows install and launches into windows (black screen with windows logo) i then get the blue screen of death...

error message: "INVALID_WORK_QUEUE_ITEM"

I have tried the process twice with the same result.
MS support had me run: chkdsk_/p and chkdsk_/r - No problems detected.
I ran a drive scan using HDD Regen and again found no problems.

MISC Info:
The win xp is prior to sp2 but it installed fine on my old macine b4 it died.
Gateway told me my SATA driver is: INTEL 6.2.0.2002
They were unable to tell me my HD manufacturer (either Western or C-Gate)
Memory dump from the blue screen:
0x000 000 96
0x83B 7B3 80
0x805 48A BC
0x805 713 58

I have an external USB floppy if needed.

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I've Found XP SP2 Is Required For Installation..
Sep 24, 2007 6:46AM PDT

We're seeing quite a few such problems when the original XP or XP SP1 discs are used to install. It's probably BIOS related but reverting back to an earlier BIOS is frequently impossible when using new motherboard options. You might try slipstreaming SP2 on to your XP disc.

I simply use a full SP2 disc and have not have the problem.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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What is side-slip
Feb 2, 2008 10:05PM PST

I noticed you mentioned side-slipping the SP2 CD during the installation.

I have an OEM version XP SP1 (its not dell or gateway, I think it came with an Acer laptop) and an SP2 CD from Microsoft.

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I mean sidestreaming not side-slipping
Feb 2, 2008 10:09PM PST

What is sidestreaming? How do you do it?

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Try SLIPSTREAMING
Feb 2, 2008 10:11PM PST

And typing SLIPSTREAM XP SP2 on google.com reveals the methods I've used.

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Thanks
Feb 4, 2008 3:49AM PST

When you go to enter a response, the original text doesn't show. But you understood thanks.

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i mean for real
Sep 24, 2007 8:59AM PDT

using a gateway computer sucks..buying a sony vaio is better, because it can support a lot of operating systems of course even linux...

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from vista to xp(downgrading)
Sep 27, 2012 7:38AM PDT

you tell me I have to format the Drive.my Pc is Dell dimension 4550..how to wipe e install Xp..I have the Cd Xp home edition..after format how to install?..Do I need win 98? can you help me?Do I need XP full version?...please?

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Yes, Yes, and Yes..
Oct 1, 2012 9:18AM PDT

If you're not familiar with installing Windows XP, you might not attempt this.. Downgrading a computer is not for the beginner or the faint of heart. That said....

First, you'll want to wipe the entire drive with a disc cleaner such as Eban, which is free and can be found through Google. Such a disc wipe utility will erase ALL items from the drive and will cause all data to disappear... BE SURE to create a removable back up of any important files and data before wiping the drive.

Next, you'll also need a full version of Windows XP, preferably Service Pack 2 or later.. We've found that full versions of XP that are earlier than SP2, will not install correctly. And upgrade version is not recommended although it might get the job done if you have an old Win98 installation disc.. I have always chosen to use the full version to install any such downgrade.

And finally, BEFORE you perform the above steps, check at the Dell site for ALL hardware drivers for your computer that are compatible with XP.. You probably will not be able to use the Vista drivers for the XP installation.. After Windows XP is installed on the drive, you'll need to install ALL hardware drivers for things to work as you'd expect. Those drivers include, motherboard/chipset drivers, video drivers, sound drivers, separate USB and card-reader drivers (if applicable), ethernet and wireless adapters, etc. SATA drivers may also be necessary if you have a SATA hard drive and you can't disable the native SATA support in the BIOS..

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Its the SATA drivers!
Dec 26, 2006 3:29AM PST

Its the SATA drivers man! You need to install them first because the XP Disk does not contain them. During the XP initial setup it will tell you to press F6 to install third party RAID drivers. You will need an external USB Floppy drive if your machine does not have an internal one.
The driver you are looking for is likely this one:
http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/getFile.asp?id=20455&dscr=Gateway%20Notebook%20Computer%20Intel%20SATA%20Support%20DriverVersion:%205.5.0.1035&uid=145539757

Look over the instructions for what exactly to do.

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SATA Drivers
Feb 6, 2007 10:07PM PST

I am having the same problem with a Dell Dimension e520, but i cannot seem to find the right SATA drivers. All of the ones I have downloaded from Dell are not working.

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the drivers
Feb 8, 2007 8:20PM PST

if you the make and model number of your motherboard and if the Sata and Raid (if any)controller is in built. then simply go to the manufacturer's site, not dell or gateway and download them to a floppy. you know the old way. those 2 little files make all the difference in teh world.

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Dell and installing XP
Sep 9, 2007 7:55PM PDT

If you try to install Windows XP on a machine with a Dell bios, it won't let you get beyond Stage 1. You need to modify the bios settings and switch off the default RAID setting. You then get a message saying something like "this may allow the overwriting of operating system files. Do you really want to do it?" To which you reply: "yes, oh yes!"
You can then reboot and boot up from the XP installation disk and installation will be allowed.

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havn't done it yet
Oct 24, 2007 3:33AM PDT

as you see from subject i am asking about installing vista, i have the vista and update discs from dell from when it first came out, i was wondering is it worth it or should i keep media centre, also if i do install vista what do i do if everything goes pearshaped as i didnt recieve a media centre installation disc from dell. which incidently is disgraceful since how much you are paying for a system off them in the first place.
ps. i would like to try it but only if i can reinstall media centre.

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Can you burn the recovery discs?
Oct 24, 2007 2:19PM PDT

For the past few years manufacturers usually omit shipping a set of recovery discs in favor of a partition on the hard drive from which you can burn your own. (It's a cost-saving measure on their end.) You can refer to this article for instructions on creating a set of 4recovery CDs.With them in hand you will be able to revert to XP Media Center later if you so choose. Just keep in mind that do so so means starting over, backing up all of your documents and reinstalling all of your programs from scratch.

John

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can you burn recovery discs?
Nov 11, 2007 9:42PM PST

sorry its been so long in replying but ive been away.
thank you very much for that link i am going to do a recovery disc
straight away and try vista. again thanks for your help much appreciated.

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SATA drivers!!! Thank You!
Mar 28, 2007 4:27PM PDT

I was having all kinds of problems (Blue Screen of Death) trying to run Windows XP installation CD and couldn't figure out the problem until I read your post.

Thanks a lot.

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Had this problem
Feb 20, 2008 6:45AM PST

I had this problem with the Dell 1700 changed the SATA operation mode and it saw my harddrive

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How can I make this work?
Jul 15, 2008 9:58AM PDT

My laptop doesn't have a floppy drive attachment. How do I download the driver? I tried with the USB drive, but didn't work...

Any suggestion in this front would be appreciated!

Many thanks!

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Installing XP over Vista
Sep 17, 2007 2:37PM PDT

I have exactly the same problem when tyring to install XP over Vista and my laptop is an HP Pavilion. Can any body help.

thanks

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For HP's, See A Different Thread
Sep 18, 2007 1:09AM PDT
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More about Installing XP over VISTA
Oct 12, 2007 9:47AM PDT

10/12/07

I have a similar problem as the users above. My new A6200N HP Pavilion desktop computer (purchased just two days ago) has VISTA on it and I had already decided to remove it and install XP Pro instead. I don?t want a DUAL BOOT ? I want a single OS overlay.

I wanted to install XP Pro CD ROM over the installation but this did not work. It objected very soon with a message that said that a downgrading would not be allowed.

I decided that I would have to wipe the hard drive and go from scratch. But there the problem starts. During the wipe-out I have lost the HP drivers or specialties that are different then the XP disk drivers. I ran across this type of problem with my previous HP computer. It came with recovery disks that contained unique drivers for the machine. When I didn?t use/load the recovery disks first before upgrading to the next OS in the process, I would loose some specific feature like the sound board. If I used the recovery disks first and then loaded the upgrade operating system disks it would work just fine because that circumstance happened to be a upgrade rather than a downgrade.

Now, the wired HOME NETWORK will not work on the new computer. This A6200N computer (which is a satellite computer on my network) can?t communicate with the other computer. The other computer by the way is already installed with XP PRO and used to communicate on the HOME NETWORK just fine with other computers on the same NETWORK.

SO, to reiterate the problem, I want to get the special drivers reinstalled from the HP install disks that I have in front of me. By the way, these are the disks that I created using the instructions in the original manual from the box that the computer came in. I attempted to connect with the HP tech support people and ran into a dead end. They were very adiment that could only deal with the management of the original VISTA circumstances. No help there!

Roger

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Added comment on the subject of XP and VISTA
Oct 20, 2007 1:31PM PDT

To clarify and add a comment to my previous paragraph... I don't want to end up with a dual boot nor a condition where XP and VISTA would be usable at the same. I want only XP Pro with the proper HP drivers for the HP machine as it is at this moment.

I have looked in the internet for the HP site where there may be XP drivers for the HP machine or a mention of the (XP) HP machine as it may have been sold in the past with this product number as A6200N. I may have found the site and I hope I will find the drivers. I don't know and I would like help if I can get it.

There are many people much more experienced in this process than I am.

PLEASE HELP ME if possible.

Roger.

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Link, comment.
Oct 20, 2007 2:33PM PDT
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To answer the problem of downgrading a HP A6200N from Vista
Nov 7, 2007 1:54AM PST

The A6200N does not have a network card. It has a PCI Realtek RTL8201N Phyceiver. A phyceiver is a chip which sends and receives ethernet frames. It uses no drivers.

To address your problem, you need to install a PCI or PCI X ethernet card. We have not found a solution for XP as of yet, but we are working on it because of the number of people downgrading.

I have a triple boot (Vista, XP, Linux) and I only use Vista to work out Vista problems and Vista programming. I would never use it as a productive operating system. Vista replaces the substance of XP with bells and whistles interupted with warning signs.

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You may not get what you want
Nov 18, 2007 12:31PM PST

Over the past week, I've probably done everything you've tried to make Win XP run on my new HP a6200n and I've had very marginal luck. I ghosted WinXP onto a partition and attempted to run as a dual boot only to have XP hang at the blue logo screen. I've installed XP over Vista and barely recovered Vista in order to have a working OS. In my research I've learned that HP designed this box to specifically run only with Vista. It doesn't appear to be backwards compatible. I've learned the Vista drivers do not have an XP corollary. HP didn't want to spend time or money on making this machine work with an OS that is eventually going away. So far, everything I've tried to make XP work properly has failed. Don't be surprised if you mirror my results. If you figure out how to make XP run, please post your findings on this BB. I and a lot of other folks will be grateful.

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I've just installed XP Home edition on the HP Pavilion a6200
Jan 4, 2008 11:44PM PST

I've just installed XP Home edition on the HP pavilion a6200n and everything works perfect except for the ethernet card. So all I did was dig up an old PCI ethernet card, slipped it into the computer and now I have internet and all functionality. I read about the problems with the phyceiver and didn't even want to bother trying to get it working. A PCI ethernet card is 10 bucks these days anyways, well worth the time saved. I can answer any questions if needed.

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Can you elaborate?
Jan 27, 2008 11:00PM PST

I intend to do the same thing (XP Pro, new OEM version, HP Pavilion a6200n), but I'm seeing various methods/problems.

1) did you install SATA drivers for XP, or disable SATA in bios as some suggest? If drivers, where did you find them? Motherboard manufacturer? If not, what option did you choose for hard drive when installing XP?
2) Did you wipe the drive first?
3) Did you have to go collect all device drivers and install manually after running XP?
Any tips are appreciated. I see some headaches in my future.

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Installing XP over Vista.
Jan 28, 2008 7:04AM PST

Yes I disabled the SATA option in the bios and then booted from the XP disk & formatted the existing Vista drive & then installed the XP version.
You will have to install the drivers afterwards, GOOD LUCK, I could not find any sound drivers that worked and in the end I returned back to Vista to have a properly functioning PC.
Hope you have better luck.