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General discussion

Really need help to install XP after I delete vista

Mar 17, 2007 11:16AM PDT

I bot Compaq Presario c502 us with Vista installed this Friday, but all of my applications are not compatible on Vista, so I delete all of partition on HD, and format, then I reinstall my XP ( not coming with this laptop, but I reinstall my another pc successfully) by XP home installation CD. It gave me a big blue screen and terminates installation!

I heard a rumor about some new pc with vista won't allow to reinstall another OS, may have to talk with support to change some BIOS setting!!

I have no any idea right now, stuck, I need this one badly.

Any comment welcome,

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Incorrect
Mar 17, 2007 1:29PM PDT

You can always re-format and go back to XP, I believe you have simply made an error during the installation process.

If the CD is an OEM copy for Compaq computers then you should have no real issue as the OEM key is linked to the bios. If the CD is for another computer and is not an OEM copy for Compaq computers then you will need an XP key to activate it.

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still not work
Mar 17, 2007 6:36PM PDT

I delete all partition again, create a new one, standard format, sys transfer, reboot from c:

Then I try to install XP home version---got blue screen again;
I tried another XP home, XP professional, windows 2000 -- all of setup did not find Hard Disk. I have not any chance to input key.

About bios issue, I heard from my friend

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Just wipe the disk...
Mar 18, 2007 12:29AM PDT

The computer is not designed to fail with other operating systems, despite the appearances. When this type of situation arises the first thing I do is use the free utility DBAN to completely wipe the hard drive. It goes far beyond the simple quick format of the Windows installation process, removing system files still on the hard drive that may prevent reinstallation. Aside from that, just make sure that your copies of XP Home, XP Professional, and 2000 are either not OEM or, if they are, were purchased from Newegg or the like and never previously installed.

Good luck.
John


P.S. In case the BSOD returns, be sure to write down the error message and STOP code...it will help determine what the problem is.

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Thanks John
Mar 18, 2007 2:18AM PDT
http://www.wackbag.com/archive/index.php/t-60779.html

I found it last night, very similar, very suspicious, very sad, very @#$%^&*

Mayeb OEM issue, I doubt though, but I am not newbee, I knew how clear after I repartition.

Have any guys here deleted vista and reinstall XP successfully on any HP, any machine? I wonder.
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You can re-formatt
Mar 18, 2007 7:42AM PDT

To my knowledge once you have re-formatted the hard drive you should have no issues in re-installing XP.

The installation process is different to that of Vista where vista is the entire OS just compressed XP needs to be installed, you need to boot from the disk so ensure your boot sequence is correct in the bios.

While my laptop has run Vista - it was the early RC versions and not pre-installed. I am not aware of any way the bios can lock out another OS.

Here is a link to the installation process - which is a step by step process

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

This is a clean install - and afterwards will need activation if a non OEM copy for the laptop you are using.

Hope this helps