Installing XP on M15X

My M15x came with Vista, and I've decided I want to switch back to XP, since I have the CDs at home. My question is, what will I need to do after I install it? I have a M15X support CD that came in the binder, is this to install the necessary drivers? Do I need a special Alienware CD to install XP, or can I do it with my own CDs?


I know this sounds rather silly, but I'd much rather know than do something and screw it all up.

 

Hi Livre,
That CD's that came with your m15x are most likely all for Vista. You're going to have to download all the xp drivers from the site.

Gabe

 

Thanks for letting me know :3. That is more than a little irksome though, I'll have to sift through everything.

 

Hi Everyone,
I know Livre might have some issues getting xp to recognize the sata drive. Does anyone know where to download the sata controller drivers for the m15x?

Thanks,
Gabe

 

Been there. Done that. You'll need to do some leg work to get XP installed on the m15x. Here's why. The standard XP install disk does not come with the proper drivers for the m15x's Sata hard drive controller. It will give you an error message, something to the effect of: "I can't see any hard drives.". So, what to do? Well, the easiest method might be calling AW TS or CS and ask them if they'll sell you the XP install disks. Don't know if they will. Their XP install disks are customized so that it will see the hard drives. But depending on your situation you may want to go a cheaper route - creating your own custom XP install disk - that's what i did and it works.

 

Here is a good outline of how it's done:

1) Download m15x_F6_RAID_Driver.zip from your "my hive" area at AW's support site.
2) Unzip it into a new directory.
3) Download and install nlite. It's free and doesn't take up much space on your drive.
4) Follow these directions to make your own custom XP installation CD for your m15x.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...d-disk-drives-during-windows-xp-installation/

 

Get nlite from here:
http://www.nliteos.com/

 

Forgot to mention, when you get to the "Driver Integration Options" window you will see a list of drivers to select from. You only need to select:
Intel(R) 82801HEM/HBM SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH8M-E/M)

 

Thanks so much for your help guys. Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I was out camping this weekend, and we were hit with a huge freak thunderstorm. Needless to say, I'm still wringing out my clothes (I don't think I'm completely dry yet).