Re: Help please in installing XP on Acer laptop

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Mike O'Sullivan wrote:
A friend of mine, an OEM supplier, and pretty experienced, is
nonetheless having a great deal of trouble installing Windows XPon an
Acer laptop. I have added his query below, and would be very grateful if
anybody could suggest a solution.


"Acer laptop model Aspire 5101, supplied with Vista Home Premium.

Hard disk is apparently split into three partitions C, D and (hidden)
small F according to Partition Manager.

I have formatted the drive and tried to load Window XP Home with Service
Pack 2, but willnot continue installation.

-approx 75 % complete - as (quote) "cannot find file".

What purpose does hidden partition serve?


That's probably the "Recovery" partition that contains the files needed to restore the laptop to it's original, ex-factory state. Leave it alone.


Any information please on how
to achieve full instal of XP?"


First and foremost, if the specific computer model in question was designed specifically for Vista, there may well be no WinXP-specific device drivers available to make the computer's diverse components work properly. Consult the computer's manufacturer about the availability of device drivers. Secondly, removing an OEM-installed operating system and replacing it with another will almost invariably void any and all support agreements and, sometimes, even the warranty. You would, at the very least, have to re-install Vista before getting any support from the manufacturer. Again, consult the computer's manufacturer for specifics. Thirdly, there may be the additional cost involved in purchasing a WinXP license for this new computer.

It may very well be the WinXP installation CD doesn't include drivers to support your specific IDE or SATA controller. Try this:

Very early in the boot process, just after having booted from the WinXP CD, the screen will display the words to the effect: "Setup is examining your system." Press <F6> when this happens, and have the *manufacturer's* WinXP-specific drivers for your IDE/SATA controller available on a floppy disk.

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS installation, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

Then, assuming you were successful in obtaining WinXP-specific device drivers so that the computer can be made to work with WinXP, the backed up data can be restored and applications (those that are WinXP-compatible, that is) re-installed.


--

Bruce Chambers

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