Problem installing XP on Dell Studio 1558

Hello everyone,

I recently got a new Studio 1558 with Windows 7 preinstalled. I created a few partitions using Acronis Disk Director. Then I started installing XP. I first changed the SATA type to ATA from AHCI in the BIOS and then booted with the Win XP installation CD. The setup started loading the files but crashed with an ACPI.sys BSOD. I tried using F7, but the setup froze at "setup is starting windows". I tried using F5 and selecting standard-pc, but it again froze at the same point. BTW, I've used this Win XP disc before, and it's not scratched. Does anyone have any idea how to overcome this?

Thanks,
Anirudh

 

Try disabling multiprocessor/core in the BIOS and see if it will install.
Is that an XP disc with a service pack integrated?

 

Yes, it's XP with SP3. I also slipstreamed SATA drivers in the disc. The problem with the BIOS is that it has very few options, there is no power management option (for disabling ACPI) and there's no processor related option.

I'm wondering whether I should delete Dell's hidden recovery partition before trying to install XP. The thing that's stopping me from doing it is that I came across a user on another forum with the same laptop as me, who managed to reach the 'select partition' screen during XP setup and deleted the hidden partition from there. In my case, I cant even get past "setup is starting windows" screen. So I'm not sure nuking the partition will help me.