Solved have Windows 7 on C: and trying to install XP Pro onto D:

[Saltgrass]

Could you tell us exactly what model of HP computer you have? In order to check for drivers, it is essential the correct info is available.

I just install XP on my system -- again.. I had slipstreamed the SATA drivers (Series 7/C216).

But during the reboot, after the files are copied and the install is initialized, it reboots back into XP. This is where you are running into problems. The system is not being set to boot back into XP, but returns to the Windows 7 boot system. I never saw a dual boot menu or option to boot into Windows 7 or XP once XP was initialized. Windows 7 was basically out of the picture.

Also, in Device Manager, I show the AHCI SATA 1.0 drivers until I load the real drivers. Although the situation may not be related, it might be good to see if there are better SATA drivers available for your system. But I would have thought you had a drivers CD for loading those, but if not, maybe we can get them online.

Edit: I don't suppose the Anti-Virus you have could be checking the boot for changes?

 

[gregrocker]

Because it used the HP disks and was an XP 'Professional' installation, it did not require activation. The installation was fully operational, other than after booting in IDE mode, it would not show the AHCI controller in Device Manager

I was able to successfully install the HP OEM version onto an HP computer, so this is not the problem.

It didn't show AHCI because you ran Recovery disks that installed in IDE mode. This is the first you have mentioned that.

Are you now saying that XP came preinstalled on that PC and that you used HP Recovery to make Recovery Disks which you've also used to successfully install in IDE mode? If so then why didn't you convert the IDE XP install to AHCI, create a new partition to install Win7 which would configure a Dual Boot?

BTW Recovery disks are not used for XP boot repair or Repair Install. You need the XP retail or OEM installer.

Or were those Recovery disks for another computer altogether, since you've not mentioned that this PC came preloaded with XP, which would make it factory OEM XP clearly requiring an OEM-channel XP SP3 installer if you want a clean install.

Please clarify these things now as it isn't helpful when they dribble out after hours of contemplating this and asking for specialized help from other Gurus.

 

[Maddog59]

Since you appear to have an external partition management tool, try this.
Create your drive D: as NTFS - AND MAKE IT ACTIVE
Now hide both the System reserved, and the Windows 7 partitions.
Now see whether the install works.

NoelDP,
that worked beautifully. I also had XP Setup format the drive first (as per the suggestion from gregrocker or Saltgrass), and it went straight through the setup with no trouble. After pasting this, I'll set up the boot record for dual booting, and then hopefully that will be it!

Many thanks for your advice.

 

[Maddog59]

Saltgrass, thanks for your input - all seems fine now. For the record, I haven't yet connected the computer to the Internet, or installed an A-V program. (I've a mind to go with a mix of ms security essentials and emsisoft (for the firewall). I've previously used AVG, but its become too bloated for my liking)

But during the reboot, after the files are copied and the install is initialized, it reboots back into XP. This is where you are running into problems. The system is not being set to boot back into XP, but returns to the Windows 7 boot system. I never saw a dual boot menu or option to boot into Windows 7 or XP once XP was initialized.

That's pretty much what was happening - it never came up with the dual boot menu. It did come up with the press any key to boot from the CD, and if I didn't press a key, it would then go into Win7 - anyway, problem now fixed.

Thanks for staying around.

 

[Maddog59]

Gregrocker.

It didn't show AHCI because you ran Recovery disks that installed in IDE mode. This is the first you have mentioned that.

No, it didn't show AHCI, because I had (on that occasion) set the BIOS from AHCI to IDE. Because Device Manager did not show an AHCI device, it could not update the driver.

Are you now saying that XP came preinstalled on that PC and that you used HP Recovery to make Recovery Disks which you've also used to successfully install in IDE mode?

I'm going to assume there is perhaps a greater difference between American English and my English than I'd perhaps realised; and in trying explain things briefly, I have used words or phrases that have resulted in confusion.

No, XP came pre-installed on my old (6 years) HP computer. As per my Post #19:
Since XP (and possibly Win2K) HP have not included an XP installation disk with their computers. They come pre-loaded with the O/S and have a Recovery Partition (usually D. An HP app (HP Backup & Recovery Manager) can be used to make a set of Recovery Disks using the files on the recovery partition.

A Recovery Disk can be made from the HP recovery partition. A Recovery Disk is not the same as an Installation Disk. You CANNOT make an installation disk from the HP recovery partition.

In Post #16, I pondered whether an XP Recovery Disk (which when run, loads all the operating system files to RAM first) could be used to fix resolve the driver problem? In the event, no-one agreed that it might, so I did not even bother trying it.

If so then why didn't you convert the IDE XP install to AHCI, create a new partition to install Win7 which would configure a Dual Boot?

As per my comments on Post #19, HP computers do not include an Installation Disk. They have a Recovery Partition, which can be used to make a Repair Disk, using the "HP Backup & Recovery Manager". I don't have a Win7 Installation Disk!

BTW Recovery disks are not used for XP boot repair or Repair Install. You need the XP retail or OEM installer.

If you say so! I know the HP Win7 Repair Disk DOES do a (Win7) Startup Repair. I thought perhaps the XP Repair Disk (generated from my OLD computer) might do the same for XP. If you say it doesn't, then it doesn't!

Or were those Recovery disks for another computer altogether, since you've not mentioned that this PC came preloaded with XP, which would make it factory OEM XP clearly requiring an OEM-channel XP SP3 installer if you want a clean install.

I didn't think I ever implied they were created from the new computer (especially as the only time I successfully did an XP install - and therefore the ONLY occasion I would have had opportunity to generate the repair disks - was when I was in IDE mode. (I shouldn't have thought that any Repair Disks thus created would potentially resolve an AHCI startup/boot issue)

I don't believe I ever indicated anything to suggest the computer came as anything other than Windows 7.

The fact that I was able to successfully install XP - using the exact same (HP) OEM disk I was using before, vindicates the advice I was given by the gentleman at HP.

Please clarify these things now as it isn't helpful when they dribble out after hours of contemplating this and asking for specialized help from other Gurus.

I have reviewed my initial post and, by and large, believe it is a reasonably succinct explanation as I understood the problem.

For your edification, my Post #7 included a very detailed account of where the problem occurred.

Reading through the posts, you certainly seem to have fixated on issues that I have felt were irrelevant, but mentioned by me only to clarify these issues had been considered.

As I suggested earlier, perhaps the differences in English have promoted some confusion.

Anyway, thank you for your patience and assistance.