Help me get Windows Vista off my HP!!

[dentist90]

I didn't want Vista on my new PC, but unless you custom build one, all the PCs out there come with Vista Home installed. No Biggie, right? I'll just stick in my XP Pro disc and boot from it to reformat the c:\ drive and replace Vista with XP... not!! My new computer is behaving like HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey ( I'm sorry Dave... I can't let you do that...)

I've got a new HP Pavilion quad core w/ 3GB Ram. Drives are SATA.

The XP disc will load all the drivers, but just before XP launches I get an error message saying that XP has been shut down to 'protect your computer'. I am in the process of reformatting the new hard drive in my old computer to see if it will work on a clean hard drive. I checked the BIOS settings, but I couldn't find anything that would prevent another OS from launching from the optical drive (however, I am only partially PC literate).

Anybody removed Vista from a new computer out there who can give me tips on how to get XP Pro onto it?

[WolfeMacleod]

Partition the C: drive so you have a space lagre enough to copy the XP disk onto.This will create a new D: drive (assuming you don't already have one)
Format C:

Boot into DOS, then go to the newly created D: drive and run the XP setup command.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by dentist90

I didn't want Vista on my new PC, but unless you custom build one, all the PCs out there come with Vista Home installed. No Biggie, right? I'll just stick in my XP Pro disc and boot from it to reformat the c:\ drive and replace Vista with XP... not!! My new computer is behaving like HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey ( I'm sorry Dave... I can't let you do that...)

I've got a new HP Pavilion quad core w/ 3GB Ram. Drives are SATA.

The XP disc will load all the drivers, but just before XP launches I get an error message saying that XP has been shut down to 'protect your computer'. I am in the process of reformatting the new hard drive in my old computer to see if it will work on a clean hard drive. I checked the BIOS settings, but I couldn't find anything that would prevent another OS from launching from the optical drive (however, I am only partially PC literate).

Anybody removed Vista from a new computer out there who can give me tips on how to get XP Pro onto it?

Can you post the model number? I bet you need to get the HDD controler driver for XP to get the install to complete. You may have seen this in the setup phase, "Press F6 to install a 3rd part driver"

[dentist90]

Computer Model is HP Pavilion a6000. During setup of XP from install'n disk you are prompted to click something to install 3rd party drivers or RAID drivers. The HD is a Hitatchi 400GB, I'll have to check on the model in a bit. Perhaps the XP (sp1) doesn't have appropriate generic drivers for the newer SATA hard drive?

[stomachmonkey]

Think you need to start with sp2 and have the 3rd party sata drivers on hand

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Think you need to start with sp2 and have the 3rd party sata drivers on hand

Exactly.

[dentist90]

I will go to the Hitatchi site to check for drivers for the HD (model HDT725040VLA360). I have SP2, but it is on a seperate disc. Is XP PRO short of drivers for these new computers?

[stomachmonkey]

BTW, you want the SATA drivers for the controller, not necc just the drives.

[rcecale]

I just had to resolve something very similar with another HP laptop. Try going into the BIOS and disableing "SATA Native Mode"

In the BIOS on my particular laptop, I went to "System Configuration" and then "Device Configuration" and scrolled down to "SATA Native Mode" and selected "Disabled"

Once you get XP installed, you can return to the BIOS and re-enable "SATA Native Mode"

Randy

[dentist90]

I think I get it now... problem now is the SATA driver must be installed via floppy only. I think I've got one at work I can yank out of an older computer. Hopefully if I can get the SATA driver installed I can then control the C: drive.

Can anyone direct me to an appropriate SATA driver download? I'll try HP for this as Microsoft site didn't help.

[stomachmonkey]

http://pcdrivers.com/

[87coupe]

You can probably get around it with the instructions Randy (rcecale) gave you.

[Joeaksa]

Go on Ebay or CL and get a factory restore disk for your computer with XP SP2 and buy the puppy. Then format as noted above and have fun.

Have done the exact same thing for both the Dell E1705 I am typing on now and a new Dell desktop, both in the last 3 months. Works fine...

[porsche4life]

Buy a dell. They give you options and we just ordered one that came with Xp at no extra cost.

[dentist90]

Update: I took the hard drive out of my new HP and put it into my old Compaq Presario (about 5 yrs old). Pulled the power on the c:\ drive as well as my backup hard drive and plugged the new hard drive into an available SATA port. Booted from the same XP DVD and it's looking OK so far. Removed partitions from the new drive, reformatted and am installing XP onto the Hitachi drive. Now I'm wondering why the XP disc will boot on the old computer and recognize the SATA HD when it wouldn't on the new HP computer?? So I'll have XP installed on the new HD, but I have to transplant it back into the new computer. Will it work? We'll see tomorrow.

PS. I hate Vista

[dentist90]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Buy a dell. They give you options and we just ordered one that came with Xp at no extra cost.

You're right... you can still get XP on certain custom built computers, such as DEll. I got this one from Staples (Business Depot) as it came with a bonus 20" monitor. Staples even sells Dell now, but they all come with OS preinstalled (guess which system!)

I heard on the radio today that someone has started a petition to get Microsoft to do something about Vista... over 150,000 signatures in a week. It's just stupid that it isn't compatible with so many software programs and printers all of sudden, and no patches available from most vendors.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by dentist90

I heard on the radio today that someone has started a petition to get Microsoft to do something about Vista... over 150,000 signatures in a week. It's just stupid that it isn't compatible with so many software programs and printers all of sudden, and no patches available from most vendors.

http://weblog.infoworld.com/save-xp/

Just signed it....

[onewhippedpuppy]

FYI TO ANYONE BUYING A COMPUTER: if you want to avoid Vista hell, buy a Dell from their small business site. You can get Vista at no extra cost, and also opt out of all their support software, and the free Norton Antivirus that is impossible to remove. I've ordered various family members 3 Vostro laptops and one desktop in the last few months, all with XP, and all good computers.

I know this doesn't help you dentist, but maybe others can avoid your troubles.

[Mule]

Actually, my Vista pc seems to be humming along pretty happily these days. Unless I was some particular issue, I wouldn't switch back. The network issues are gone, & mine is stable as can be. Thanks mucho to (I think it was) Randy that gave the link to the tips. But I can honestly say that I like my Vista machine.

[dentist90]

Randy had the answer! I entered BIOS and found a selection for the SATA controller that allowed it to emulate an IDE. It was set on RAID, which XPsp1 doesn't have drivers for I guess. Once I get all the updates installed I'll try setting it back to RAID. Not sure if that affects access speed

Thanks Randy! Your tranny rebuild post helped me do mine, now I'm up and running with the new computer. Next time I'll come to you first!