Acer 8935g install xp and boot from arcade button?

Hi,

I've installed a second hd in my 8935g for an xp install, and got a couple of q's before I get stuck in.

1. is there way to install windows XP as a "genuine" acer oem install "like the "genuine win 7 install procedure"?

2. And is there info on ways to recreate the "acer arcade" button usage to boot win 7 and a full xp from the new disc depending on wether I press power button or media button.?

I've done some searching and found some good info, especially re ACHI slipstreaming, but haven't found anyone using the arcade button for an alternative boot method (other than to force different video card in win 7)

Any help or info much appreciated, and apologies if its all there somewhere!

Conrad.

 

ok, half way there. managed to find an acer oem install disk torrent that should do the trick of installing it preactivated (have slipstreamed some textmode AHCI drivers to get it to work hopefully).

Maybe I'll just have a go at bunging it on the acer arcade partition and see what nightmare occurs! If anyone has any last minute tips before I make a mess of things please feel free to pipe up!

 

Managed it in the end!

Make sure you back everything up first before trying this is advisable (I made a clone with acronis drive image ver 11 (later versions of acronis failed near the end of clone)

Install xp on a separate drive.

using ubuntu (can see the hidden windows embedde, factory acer arcade partition), copy the boot.ini file in the factory 3.7 gb acer arcade partition, for safekeeping (or maybe copy all the data here, if you want to be thorough, though it may complain at the hiberfil file, make sure you selelct to be able to see hidden files and folders)

Delete all files in the factory 3.7 gb acer arcade partition apart from boot.ini
Copied all folders files in the new install of xp, EXCEPT for boot.ini, over into the the now nearly empty 3.7gb partition (make sure you selelct to be able to see hidden files and folders).

Et voila,

startup vista or win 7 with the power button, Xp pro with the media button.
Haven't attempted to change the partition size yet, but think it should be doable, but even if not it still might be something more useful to me than acer arcade.

 

You could have just run XP mode in Windows 7 instead

 

Yes, you're right, sort of, it depends what you need xp for. I need native xp for audio workstation performance, and unfortunately a virtualised xp just won't cut it..Plus I'm still on vista!!

Also, the above method could be used for other combinations of os's available, I just wanted to be fancy and be able to boot a differnt os this way!! osx might be a nice one to have in there...

 

ok, i want to do a similar thing, i work on win7 64 bit but for some school programs (Ti-nspire software etc) i need a 32 bit platform and winxp mode doesn't do the trick. I want to install xp like you did and be able to start up with the arcade button. (also a 8935G) Only thing is: i erased the hdd and all the partitions on it when i installed win7.
Any chance i can still install win xp starting with the arcade button?