Windows XP on a 1 year old Laptop?

[Thomas K]

Have a customer come in,Acer Aspire 5333.

This unit does need a hard drive replaced, and a keyboard replacement, which is in the works.  However, I do have a spare hard drive to slide into it for testing until the new drive comes in.

The customer has infered, that for technical reasons (his server software) he needs Windows XP on this computer.  (Apparently the software needed to access the server software, doesnt play nice with Windows 7 which is default on this unit)

In trying to install Windows XP Pro (Yes, 32 bit) I cant even get to the main setup console.  It instead, eventually at some point, drops to a blue screen.

PC-Doctor otherwise tests this machine as A-OK with the exception of the HD issues (Note, after initial boot and test, it wont even remain on, goes into a power up, reset cycle that can be stopped only with pressing power button for 5-10 seconds)

Ideas?

Thomas

[James_PCD]

Hello Thomas,

Check the systems SATA Mode in the BIOS.  I a similar issue on a laptop a few months back.  The system was set to either SATA RAID or AHCI mode and would blue screen every time tried to load XP on to the system.  I switched the SATA mode to IDE and was able to load XP without issue.

[Thomas K]

Thank you,

That was actually it, the install went off without any hitchs from there.

I was thinking I was gonna have to source a Windows XP 64 bit CD, which didnt make any sense as Windows Vista 32 bit installed fine.

Changing from ACHI to IDE mode for the SATA mode did the job.

Now, the only battle is to hunt down drivers for the graphics, chipset, lan, wan, etc seeing as ACER doesnt have a selection of 'supportable' drivers for windows xp on this unit... GAH, if its not one thing its another.

Thanks again

Thomas

[James_PCD]

Good to hear, glad I could help.