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    Unable to install XP

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by AlbertG, Jul 13, 2008.

  1. AlbertG

    AlbertG Newbie

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    Hello,

    I just bought a Toshiba Satellite L305D-S5881 laptop (full specs here: http://tinyurl.com/6lz4gh). It comes with Vista, which I despise, so I want to install XP on it. Upon booting with a legal and functional XP installation CD, I get the BSOD a few minutes into the installation. This has happened several times.

    I also tried to remove the hard drive and put in an old SATA hard drive that was running XP that I got from another Toshiba satellite laptop that is no longer in use. They are exactly the same except for size in GB. The computer boots into XP and about three seconds later reboots, in an infinite loop.

    What is the problem? Is it even possible to install XP on that computer, or to get it to accept the old hard drive? Is it a hardware issue?

    Thank you for your help and let me know whether you need more info from me.
     
    AlbertG, Jul 13, 2008
    #1
  2. ScifiMike12

    ScifiMike12 Drinking the good stuff

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    Most like it is because it's running in AHCI mode. When you go into the BIOS, is there an option to run it in 'compatibility mode' or 'IDE mode'?
     
    ScifiMike12, Jul 13, 2008
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  3. Tekniklie

    Tekniklie Newbie

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    I just got done installing windows on my x205-9800 today. XP dosnt come with sata drivers so it wont load. Search for a guide on this site (x200 xp full guide) or something close to that. It will show you how to put the drivers for your sata drive on your xp cd. Hopefully thatll help.
     
    Tekniklie, Jul 13, 2008
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  4. AlbertG

    AlbertG Newbie

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    Thank you, ScifiMike12. I did it and was able to install XP. The other (old) hard drive, however, is still not booting - stuck in that infinite loop. Any advice on that?
     
    AlbertG, Jul 13, 2008
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  5. A#1

    A#1 Notebook Consultant

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    possibley corrupt boot loader...can you boot up in safe mode...run/msconfig/Boot .ini tab and see what you have as far as boot up profiles
     
    A#1, Jul 13, 2008
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  6. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

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    Yep,that hdd may be dead or might just need a fixmbr or fixboot command applied to it.
     
    eleron911, Jul 13, 2008
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  7. AlbertG

    AlbertG Newbie

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    Thanks all, I'll try that.
     
    AlbertG, Jul 13, 2008
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  8. bigozone

    bigozone JellyRoll touring now

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    or that second HDD may have drivers for DIFFERENT CHIPSET ICs or some other hardware difference causing the problem...

    NLITE the SATA drivers into an XP cd and install FRESH

    that should work perfectly
     
    bigozone, Jul 13, 2008
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  9. masai

    masai Newbie

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    Hi guys,
    I am having the same problem. i.e cant install windows XP pro on my L305D-S5881 laptop. I have tried changing the HDD mode in the bios to "compatible" but i still get the blue screen, minutes into the instal. Am wondering if maybe there was something more to the install that just changing the HDD modes? I have bios version 1.4...
     
    masai, Jul 15, 2008
    #9