Cannot seem to install WIndows XP on this netbook. Please help

Cannot seem to install WIndows XP on this netbook. Please help

I have Acer D270 netbook which originally comes with Windows 7 starter. I want to isntall Windows XP on it, but I cannot seem to.

I have changed the mode to IDE and start the installation of Windows XP from USB, the installation is fine until it gets stuck on "Registering components" stage.

I have tried alot of methods and workaround, but I cannot seem to install Windows XP on this machine.

I read somwehere that try to install using AHCI mode, and streamline the sata drivers into the Windows XP installation, but I cannot seem to find Windows XP sata drivers for this model.

This netbook has Intel n2600 processor.

Can someone please help?

Thank you

 

Well first, IDE/AHCI mode has little to nothing to do with your USB drive installation. Those are specific to your hard drive, and if you're using a SATA hard drive, you should keep it as AHCI or SATA in the BIOS options.

How long does the installation hang up on "registering components"? And have you tried installing from a CD as well? Also, is your XP installation at least SP2 (preferably SP3)?

 

Yes I have Sp3. I have tried using CD and USB both gets stuck at the "registering components" stage.

Well the installation just hangs, and then the computer has to be turned off..else it is just stuck.

Yes, my hard drive is SATA.

What other methods I can try to get Windows XP on this machine?

 

Seeing how your HDD is SATA... you have to switch it to AHCI mode in Bios before you install XP (unless the install itself has incorporated SATA drivers - which does not seem to be the case for you) to ensure the install goes smoothly... however, the issue of not running in AHCI mode didn't usually manifest itself in this manner if I recall correctly - namely, there was a BSOD and the install wouldn't get through on most machines (though, other forms of the problem might be the case).

Is it possible your XP install files are corrupted?
If yes, you could try getting or making your own XP SP3 with all latest updates slipstreamed on it, install via USB and use your existing key to activate it.

EDIT: Seeing how you have an Intel Atom CPU, it's possible the system needs more time to 'register components'.

I forgot at which stage this part actually occurs (seems to be after the install is done), but, a similar issue can persist with Windows 7 SP1 clean install.
In such a scenario, the solution was to disable waking up on LAN or a network option of some kind in the BIOS (I forgot the name, but it does seem to cause conflicts sometimes).
And no, I'm not referring to turning off any network hardware in the BIOS (such as bluetooth, wifi or LAN), merely 'waking up on...' options that might be related to network, and/or similar things.

You could go to the BIOS and take a few snapshots which might help us in seeing what's happening there and what could be interfering with the install.

 

Where did you get your copy of Windows XP from? Have you tried using another installation (not different media, but a different XP install package)? It could be that the drivers necessary for your hardware on that particular instance of XP you have are either damaged or not present, which is causing the install process to hang.

 

Finally got it to work with AHCI enabled and I also turned off network boot. Not sure what was causing the issue with being stuck on registering components, as this time it was a smooth installation.

Thanks for all the help.

 

Network boot likely caused the problem.
It did the same on other laptops I installed Windows 7 (it would hang on registering components).

 

Odd... if the system booted from the drive still, I'm not sure how PXE being disabled would fix the "registering components" problem. It does and doesn't make sense.

Anyway, glad you got things working! Now go enjoy XP until 2014.

 

Just press the power button once