Windows XP on Alienware M17x, help me out!

Hi all,
I just got my dream Alienware M17x. My system have Vista Ultimate. So bad that i'm not familiar with Vista. I have tried many time with many Windows XP installation discs. They just keep showing me the BSOD. Just wonder if the mainboard doesn't support??
I have tried del the raid and make my HDD run in normal mode but not work. Install windows xp on Microsoft Virtual Machine is ok.
Please some body help me.
Thanks in advance!

 

You need to run Darik's Boot and Nuke first before trying to install xp
http://dban.sourceforge.net
Also you will need a USB floppy drive and a floppy disk containing the drivers or you need to Slipstream the drivers for the hard drive controller into your XP CD using nLite or similar.

 

What's wrong with Vista Ultimate? This machine can more than handle it. Don't get XP.

 

I have tried to wipe all the HDD info and re-format the HDD by Acronics software but it still get BSOD. So bad that i like XP too much.
Waiting for solution..............

 

What is the STOP Error that you see on BSOD... can you capture a nice picture of it ?

First or Second line should give you a error description... eg. IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Edit: It should be something like 0xXXXXXXXX (0xXXXXXXXX,0xXXXXXXXX,0xXXXXXXXX,0xXXXXXXXX)

 

If the OP is encountering issues with the BSOD when attempting to install XP, there is a good possibility it's because of SATA drivers which are lacking in his XP install.

What I recommend is that you (the OP) slipstream SATA drivers (along with SP3 and all other updates) to your XP installation disc and install it like that.
It should work.

Or ... if you want to take care of the updating later on, go to your BIOS and change the hdd operation mode from SATA to another one (forgot it's proper name).
Then after you installed XP, download and install SATA drivers (then go back to BIOS and re-enable SATA mode).

 

Have you actually tried that before, because my understanding is doing so will break the windows again to BSOD. In normal scenarios one should change the HDD access mode before installing the OS otherwise it can result in BSOD after install

 

That's what I said.
Change the settings in BIOS first, then install XP, download/install SATA drivers and go back to BIOS to change it so SATA mode is enabled.

But ... if Windows XP install disc already has SATA drivers slip-streamed, then there is no need to change the bios settings since the sata drivers will be loaded from the XP install disc before the installation of the OS.

That's the main difference.
If the OP has regular XP install disc (without SATA drivers and service packs slip-streamed) then changing the BIOS hdd mode will be necessary prior to OS installation.

 

Thx all for help.
1. I Have already slip-streamed SATA drivers to many XP install discs. I have download many time and tried it for about 20 times. I used all my 50 CD-R recorded at 2x speed to make XP install dics but still get BSOD.
2. I have tried to change to compatible mode for SATA in bios but it won't work. I disable one SATA HDD to make my system run with only one HDD but still can't. Fact that i like to run in Raid mode for better disc access.
Still waiting....

 

This is my system on Vista, oh god i hate vista.

 

That's odd to say the least.
Did you try slip-streaming the latest service pack and updates from M$ to the XP install disc as well?

Also ... check your hard drives for errors.
It might be possible this is happening because there is a potential bad sector.

Just how far in the XP install do you get the BSOD and what kind of an error is it?
There is also a possibility you will have to remove Vista first (by formatting the drive on which it's located) and then install XP.
There are instructions on how to do so.
If a specific guide tells you to use a different method/program, follow it to the letter.

 

All, i tried doing the same thing. I sent my system to Alienware, they said that they would take a look at it. They brought it back - same f*(* issue!
They never did anything to it. I am soooo pissed.

 

Then call them up and ask them why are you keep getting the BSOD when attempting to install XP on the system when it should be possible.

Out of curiosity, have you tried updating your bios and see if it will resolve the problem (although be wary since updating the BIOS can go awry sometimes).

 

Hi All,

I figured it out. It is the second eSATA controller that the CD or DVDROM is connected to. You will need to download the JMB WQHL drivers from the JMicron FTP site ftp: // driver.jmicron.com.tw/jmb36x/Win2k_xp_Vista/JMB36X_WinDrv_R1.17.42.09WHQL_eSATA.zip. Make sure that you slipstream this driver into the Windows setup CD with nLite.
You will also need the Intel Matrix Storge drivers from the intel website for the RAID controller.

Hope this works for you as well! This did it for me!

 

Thx Sure Two Win.
I have tried and ... it work! Thank you so much. I'm so stupid when keep on the Intel Raid drivers. Fact that the J-Micron does it.
BTW, i still have one unknown device in my Device Manager.

Device type: other devices
Manufacturer: Unknown
Location: on Intel ICH8M-E LPC Interface Controller - 2811

I wonder if this is UVC 2M WebCam?
Does any one have the Webcam drivers for XP?
Thx

 

that's the chipset controller.

 

Dear Whizzo,
Could you give me the link to download it?
Thx

 

oh wait, " on Intel ICH8M-E LPC Interface Controller"... so it's not the chipset controller itself.

try running Unknown Device Identifier.

http://download.chip.eu/de/Unknown-Device-Identifier-6.01_177174.html

 

Thx all!
That is the ITE IR Reciever. Poor that it doesn't support XP.
Regards,
Kevin

 

the IR reciever? i'm fairly sure it supports XP, seeing how AW sells the m15x with XP...

 

Hi Whizzo
Could you login to Myhive and down load IR Reciever for XP for me. i only have Vista on my support CD and Myhive.
Thx in advance!

 

http://www.audicracy.com/m15x_Remote_XP_7.1.64.1010.exe

from

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=313652

 

Whizzo... he was looking for m17x I guess...

If that is the case then here is it, in my m17x guide
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4069487

 

think it'll make a difference?

 

Yes, m15x uses WinBond CIR device while m17x uses ITE CIR

 

say it ain't so... why's that?

 

Dear Findvikas,
The M17X use the ITE CIR and i do have the driver for vista. So bad that i'm using XP now so that driver can't work.
myHive only have ITE CIR driver for Vista.

 

Can anyone post instructions to take an m17x with Vista Ultimate on it, and dual-boot it with XP Pro without having to change the HDD's from their RAID configuration? I've read this thread, and thought I had figured it all out, but I keep getting the BSOD upon starting the xp install. I may not be slipstreaming the correct drivers. my configuration is pretty much the same as the OP's. Can anyone specify what I need to do?

 

Disregard my last post, I got it.

 

Hi all i have same problem cant dual boot BSOD every time i try the xp install disk any chance of an idiots guide I'me not a compleat idiot but strugling with the xp install on top of vista

 

hi again got xp to start install but get jraid.sys faild near the start any ideas?

 

Dunno about you, but I'm gradually overcoming my software's compatibility issues by running XP in a virtual machine -- VMWare.

- F

 

i set up an nlite install with the jmicron drivers and matrix storage drivers added and no longer get the bsod on install but am recieving a 'jraid.sys is corrupted' error during the install.
Any Ideas?

 

The disk you made has a corrupted file on it, burn a new one and try again.

 

i've burned it about 4 times using nlite, still the same error.

 

seems like an issue with the jmicron drivers...maybe try adding a different version to the nlite install....

 

I tried the version mentioned earlier in this thread (R1.17.42.09) and also tried version (R1.17.15.00) as well.

 

also tried ver (R1[1].17.37), still getting "jraid.sys is corrupted" error.

 

Have you tried these:

http://www.downloadpipe.com/drivers...8M-LPC-Interface-Controller-2811-1122011.html

 

Hi,
Although the XP is supposedly compatible with the M17X, you're going to have a very difficult time getting it to work. The SATA driver you need isn't available. Although you might be able to find a part of it buried in the chipset, it doesn't always work (fastlappy was able to get it to run a retail version of vista). I would recommend downloading the free version of Virtual PC from Microsoft and executing XP in a window. This laptop was designed with Vista and Windows 7 in mind. XP won't produce the expected results you're looking for (if in fact drivers are ever released to support it).

Edit: Wrong system....lol. I wish they chose a completely different name for the new M17X.... always getting confused lol

Thanks,
Gabe

 

that SERIOUSLY sucks ...

 

Hi Moo,
It turns out he has the older m17x. My post was in regard to the new M17X.

Gabe

 

please re read that qoute

 

I corrected it lol. I'm not fully awake yet lol.

Gabe

 

Come on, Vista is not that bad. It just takes a little getting used to.

I never used Vista before, before I got this laptop, and I've adjusted fine to it. I do like the directx10 compatibility too. There is now also very little that isn't compatible with it. (And yes, I was very pessimistic about using Vista before I got it)

 

Hey KevinKhanh,

Vista is better optimized for current hardware and software. You're only limiting both by going with XP.

I too, was an XP holdout and hated it when it first came out but ever since SP1 and since I disabled UAC, I've grown to prefer it.

About the only thing I really don't like in Vista is the search function and I also keep my control panel on classic view.

You're encountering problems because the M17x and it's divers and components weren't designed with the intent of running XP. All that stuff was designed for Vista.

XP is perfectly suited to, and runs very well on my M9750 and was designed to do so. My M17 came with Vista and is optimized for it so that's what I use.

I'd hat to see what would happen if I tried to install Windows 98 on my M9750.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just tweak the he!! out of it!"

 

Vista seems to run much smoother than xp ever has. If you own the m17x you should run vista easily if my 4 year old laptop can run it just fine. Use it for a while and you will learn to like vista a lot more than xp.

 

I think since you are going through all this trouble, you should probably download the Windows 7 RC and test that out. Win7 is much improved over vista and with the swiftness of XP. Give that a shot and buy the upgrade for 50% off till July 11th at any store that sells software and you will be loving it like you are with XP. I know I am.

 

I pre-ordered my copy already!

 

I have the 7100 64 bit client running on my gaming desktop. Plays a few games as good if not better than xp. I do have a few issues thou. A few of my older games will not run. Also some of my recording software also will not run. I have tried everything including UAC and compatibility.