On Mon, Oct 18, 2010 at 5:15 AM, Mark Misulich
On Fri, 2010-10-15 at 18:03 -0400, Felix Miata wrote:
On 2010/10/15 12:39 (GMT-0400) Mark Misulich composed:
I had an xp install disk from the original computer that I rebuilt. However, when I tried to install it after replacing all the parts inside, I found that xp wouldn't install. My best guess is that dell keyed it to the old system.
What exactly does "wouldn't install" in your case mean?
Dell XP CDs are special:
1-Using one to install on a Dell means no need to input an activation key or any personal data. The only way it can know that it is a Dell is something in its BIOS that a generic BIOS lacks. If you use one on a non-Dell, or an "upgraded" Dell (which is no longer a Dell, if it lacks a Dell BIOS on its new motherboard), usually it behaves just like an OEM XP disk, demanding a serial key/activation information withing 30 days in order to continue working normally.
2-Whether this ever occurs on a non-Dell XP CD I've never encountered, but there can exist data on a HD with previously installed OS(s) that will cause the XP installer to initialize improperly. The result is that when the screen should turn from white on black to white on blue, it goes all black instead, making it impossible to continue installation. I've never been able to pin down why, only work around by first doing FDISK /mbr with a DOS floppy, then zero filling partitions starting at the first, until I determined which one contained the failure trigger. -- "The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation)
Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409
Felix Miata *** http://fm.no-ip.com/
Here's what I get when I try to install XP. A blue screen with white letters comes up and says:
A problem has been detected and Windowz has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:
Check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly installed hard drives or harddrive controllers. Check your hard drive to make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run CHDSK /F to check for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer.
Technical information:
*** Stop: 0x0000007B (0xF78D663G, 0x0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000
The partition was reduced from 100GB to 40GB (the size of the original hard drive that was in the computer when built by dell) but it still doesn't setup. The install disk has included in it SPack 1a. I realize that this isn't suse, so if you just want to write me directly with your ideas Felix, that is ok.
Not sure if this is your case, but I remember that at least on Dell desktops you should configure SATA HDD as ATA in the BIOS before installing Windows XP. If it is configured as AHCI, you'll see this issue. After Windows has been installed, you should install Dell driver and then re-configure HDD as AHCI. Regards, -- Mark Goldstein -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org