Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

pre-installed Ubuntu Laptop - need to install XP - how?

by Mar 29, 2012 5:40AM PDT

I just got a new Dell Vostro 1450 Laptop that came pre-installed with Ubuntu 10.10

I have a licensed XP CD with me and have tried to boot through it to install windows. However it always fails quoting some Hard Disk related error.

Not sure but I think that this may be due to filesystem mismatch (have been told so)

I don't actually need to keep Ubuntu and don't mind losing it, as long as I am able to install XP

Can somebody suggest a way to install Windows XP on my laptop please. Would really appreciate it

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Answer
It's possible you haven't heard of the XP on SATA HDD?
by Forum moderator Mar 29, 2012 5:49AM PDT

It's an old issue, so google this -> How to install XP to a SATA HDD?

It's covered. But first that CD shall be XP SP2 or XP SP3 or I would not help them.
Bob

- Collapse -
SECOND THOUGHT. Will Virtual Box Help?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 30, 2012 3:09AM PDT

Let's say you only need to run a few Windows apps. Install Virtual Box then put XP into that. This is widely discussed so hit google with these phrases.

VIRTUAL BOX

How to install XP into Virtual Box.

Bob

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: install XP
by Forum moderator Mar 29, 2012 8:40PM PDT

Can you tell more about that "some hard disk related error". If it happens to be caused by the file system, you're doing something wrong by not erasing that Linux partition during the install. But the SATA issue mentioned by Bon is a quite reasonable cause also.

It's highly doubtful that you can get all drivers needed for Windows XP to fully run that laptop. So be prepared you won't have wireless and sound or comparable issues. If you need Windows, why didn't you buy that laptop complete with Windows 7? That would have been much better.

Kees

Back to Windows Legacy OS forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info