Windows 7: Installing Windows XP from Windows 7

I have a HP mini 110 netbook and a virus basically killed the operating system; Windows XP Home SP3. I recovered the license key from it, but it did not come with a install disk and the recovery data on it is corrupt. So basically all I have is a legal XP key and nothing to install it with. I have the harddrive in my Windows 7 PC and am wondering if there's any way I can install XP on the netbook drive from my Windows 7 PC?



Thanks!

Burn a Windows XP CD from the working Windows 7 computer and you will be able to install Windows XP on the HP Mini netbook.

How should I do this? I downloaded an XP iso and installed it on the hard drive. But it won't activate with my serial, and it is indeed a legit serial. Can someone direct me to a correct download for an XP iso? Thanks!

How did you "recover the key?"

Is this retail or preinstalled at factory?

You need a retail- or OEM-specific installer based on which it is.

If you install XP to it's HD placed in your Windows 7 computer, it will not be the correct hardware signature for the OEM version to activate and must be moved to the netbook first. And in most cases to move XP you must run an XP Repair Install on the new hardware.

I have created a partition (B:\) on my hard disk and simply want to install Windows XP Home Edition from a genuine Windows XP installation CD I purchased. I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium on a Compaq Presario CQ60 laptop and believe there must be a way to have both OS's on my PC, just as others have done, without removing Windows 7.

I boot from the CD by pressing the DEL key repeatedly at Win 7 startup and continue pressing it after I hear a beep when it says to press any key to boot from CD. I am given no options. It just says "Windows Setup" at the top of the screen and at the bottom indicates it is "Loading" (i.e. installing) various files from the CD, as I hear the CD running.

Then it gets to the point where it says "Setup is starting Windows" at the bottom of the screen (where it gave the status of the files being loaded). At this point, it launches a new screen which indicates "A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer...Technical information: *** STOP: 0x0000007B..."

How can I get this CD (that is, Windows XP) installed on the B:\ drive? I tried running the setup program e:\i386\winnt32.exe (which is on the CD) from a "b:\" command prompt, but I get the same error as if I try to install the CD after Windows 7 has loaded: "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD."

Thanks
LauraArnold

free accounting software

I recovered the key in safemode with a program called 'keyfinder'.

The netbook came with XP Home preinstalled, yes.

When I install XP from my Windows 7 PC it works just fine. However, when I put the hard drive back into the netbook, I get a blue screen every time it tries loading XP. I'm not sure why that would happen...?

You say you have Windows XP installed on the B drive.

Historically, the A and B drives were reserved for floppy disk drives.

I don't know what drive letters you are using, but change the XP drive to D if it (the drive letter) is free.

Does anyone know why the netbook would bluescreen because of XP being installed from a different computer?

If your Win XP CD, does not support your Sata Controller, you will need to load drivers to uses at F6.
Load Sata Controller drivers with a floppy disk is the best way.
SATA Drivers - Load in Windows XP Setup on Dual Boot
OR
SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD



Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

How to make HP Recovery DVD disks:
Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

How to make HP Recovery USB disk:
Creating a Recovery Disk on a USB Flash Disk HP Pavilion dv6700z CTO Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

or
You can Order HP Recovery Disks from here:
Compaq Mini CQ10-500 PC series*-* HP Notebook PCs - Order Recovery Discs for Windows 7, Vista, or XP - c00810334 - HP Business Support Center

First check for all the Win XP drivers for your hardware.
You can check your HP/compaq PC here:
General XP Downgrade Guide for HP Laptops - HP Support Forum
NOTE: Please read this thread fully.


If your Win XP CD, does not support your Sata Controller, you will need to load drivers to uses at F6.
Load Sata Controller drivers with a floppy disk is the best way.
SATA Drivers - Load in Windows XP Setup on Dual Boot
OR
SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD
Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP