Probs installing XP on a Windows 7 machine

I purchased a computer that has windows 7 home premium installed. I also have a critical app that can only run on XP and the manuf. tells me that the app runs into problems when running on W7's XP emulation.

I installed a second HD in the PC, and it recognized and gave it a drive letter. Formatted it to make sure it was clean. (It was previously installed in a Dell with XP.)

I also bought an XP SP3 OEM license CD, and followed the instructions in the tutorial on the subject. When trying to boot off the XP CD, I got a Blue Screen indicating that the installation was halted, damage to the machine, blah blah.

No matter what I did, I always ran into this problem. Any ideas out there? I could sure use them.

Take a look here:
SATA Drivers - Load in Windows XP Setup on Dual Boot
SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD

Thanks, I'll try that.

1. The blue screen that I got said nothing about an inability to recognize the disk.
2. The OEM license I bought is Windows XP SP3. Shouldn't it have the SATA drivers built into it?

emanders said:

Thanks, I'll try that.

1. The blue screen that I got said nothing about an inability to recognize the disk.
2. The OEM license I bought is Windows XP SP3. Shouldn't it have the SATA drivers built into it?

Not all Sata Controller are in Win XP sp3, my tutorial is using XP sp3.

Tested with

Win XP no sp
Win XP sp1
Win XP sp1a
Win XP sp2
Win XP sp3

Bare Foot Kid said:

Hello emanders, welcome to Seven Forums!



XP needs to run at PATA/IDE mode in the BIOS and you're machine may have AHCI enabled and XP won't run, you may need to enable PATA/IDE in the BIOS to get XP to install, then you would need to switch back and forth between the 2 to run either XP or Win 7.
First look in the BIOS under something like "storage controllers" to see what mode it's running as.

At least that's the issues I had when dual booting W 7 and XP.

Have a look at the tutorial at the link below to get some ideas.


AHCI : Enable in Windows 7 / Vista


@theog, what's your take on this, could this be the issue?

No need to change BIOS, load drivers at F6 srceen.

Same MOBO drivers CD's, call the folder with Sata Controller drivers in Raid.
I had HP PC in with Sata Controller drivers in folder called IDE. That got me.

Hi BFK

That's OK mate.

Ray.

I would also unplug the Win7 HD during install of XP.

After install set WIn7 HD as first HD to boot in BIOS boot order menu, after DVD drive.

Then to boot XP use the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first boot screen, normally F10 on eMachines.

This keeps the HD"s independent to come and go as you please.