How do I install XP for the first time.......

Hi all. I just purchased a dell inspiron 1520 and it came today. I get a windows xp for free from my school so i choose not to accept the eula of vista home premium and opted for the free version of windows xp. My question is, how do i install xp without first installing vista? If i need to provide any more details tell me, thanks!

 

If it's a clean install disc (not upgrade) then you just install it on boot and erase your HD clean OR dual boot with Vista

 

My problem is that i do not want to accept the terms and conditions of vista, so i cannot access anything on my computer. So should i turn the computer on, put the xp cd in then turn it off, then turn it back on?

 

Yes - but first you'll have to set the BIOS to boot from CD. IIRC, by default the 1520s boot to hard disk before CD. So, start your computer, press the setup button when the Dell screen appears (F2 I think, but I don't really remember), and find the Boot Sequence/Order/whatever it's called section. Then move CD to the top. Now exit the BIOS via the menus, making sure you save changes, and restart.

Then when you get to the Vista install prompt, put the XP CD in and restart the computer, and it should take you to the XP install process.

 

Ok I got into the bios section where it gave me a list of where it boots, and i just booted from the cd. Then it proceeded to download windows until i got a could not find hard disk error. I am pretty sure the hard disk works seeing how its brand new and all. Any ideas?

EDIT: ok i just change the order with the cd drive being first, but i still get the same error.

 

With the CD being the first boot disk and a bootable CD in the drive you should get a brief flashed message

"Press any key to boot from CD..." or something to that effect.

If you aren't getting that you don't have it configured right.

Once you see that, press any key and proceed with the installation. Be sure to delete the partition(s) and recreate them. That's the only way to get rid of the Vista recovery partition which is usually about 6gb.

 

I am getting that prompt and am booting from the cd. When i boot from the cd the computer loads a lot of files then i get a prompt to run in xp. Then i get the failure to find the hard disk. I have no choice to delete any partitions.

 

you have a sata hard drive, you will have to load the drivers when windows in first install and it asks for raid drivers. On a laptop without a floppy this can be hard. GL

 

Slipstream!

 

I thought all new copies of XP had SP2b and SATA drivers...

 

Maybe it's not a newer version of XP if it's through his school, or something.

 

How can i do this, i know how to change my bios to boot from a cd first, and i have a iso image of xp (100% legal, through my school) and burnt onto a cd. It is service pack 2 but obviously does not contain these drivers. Can someone provide me instructions on how to get these drivers i need and onto my system so i can install xp?

 

im in the same boat, if i ever figure it out i'll let ya know. or someone could help

 

Well the problem has been isolated and SHOULD be a quick fix BUT....

The problem is the drivers for the hard disk, and the fact that xp cannot get those drivers from a cd, it has to be from a floppy. I've tried connecting a floppy drive via usb but im having difficulty. The best way and from what i've heard the hardest, is somehow integrating the drivers onto the xp cd itself, which i hvae no clue how to do.

EDIT: ok i got as far as reformatting the hard drive with xp. I booted xp with the disc, and when it asks about raid drivers i hit f6. I used a external floppy drive with the drivers from dell on it (you have to format the disc on a xp computer too) and loaded the driver up. I did a complete reformat of the hard disk, but when it asks to actually install windows i get a prompt about a missing driver and to put it in my a: drive and press enter. I do not know how to get this driver.

 

I just found the correct driver needed after you reformat the hard drive, but the only problem is that my computer wants it via a: drive (floppy disc) and the file size is 20mb! Any ideas? I am at a dead end right now.

 

i believe you have to do something called slipstreaming, google it online and it will show you. maybe by use it could work? i dunno. let me know when u figure it out

 

Instead of slipstreaming Sata drivers on your XP disk, you could try disabling AHCI(has to do with Sata hdd and XP) in the BIOS.

 

Hey just received my Inspiron 1520 and currently I'm downloading the drivers for Window XP. I've made few searches and found useful threads regards to installing XP on your Inspiron. Hope this helps

1420 With Windows XP (that is, I nerfed Vista)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=143417

TOTAL GUIDE: 1420 With XP!!!
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=150033&highlight=dell+reformat

Dual Boot Install between XP and Vista
http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp

For Dell Inspiron Drivers go to Dell's Website and Under Support tab click download drivers... Select your system. Where it says Operating System, click Window XP and download all the drivers from there. Every driver is there except the Audio and the Quickset(the lights that allows you to look at instant wifi). Hope that helped you little bit installing XP.

 

Hi Guy , i think you need download driver for your harddrive in website www.intel.com , and then you made Floppy disk driver using F6 while installing Windows Xp . I had test in Sony Vaio VGN-FZ190N4 have problem as you , and it work ok . hope this help !

 

That is indeed the problem, i couldnt get it to work but i followed the instructions to put the drivers onto the xp cd from another thread, thanks everyone who helped me! My computer is up and running flawlessly!

 

hey there i have the problem you mentioned with VGN-FZ190N4, I did as you instructed but while XP was copying the required files for the first time after formatting my hard in setup, it came up with a problem, "setup cannot copy the file: iaStor.sys". i desperately need your help in this. please

 

Did you try putting the drivers onto the xp cd as outlined in this guide?

TOTAL GUIDE: 1420 With XP!!!
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=150033&highlight=dell+reformat

 

Ok,I Will Done It And Answer To You That Does It Work Or Not.
Thanks For Your Help.