[Fangel]

You just need to run the bcd fix.
Here's a link to a free program to fix it, and I've used it on a couple of systems with no issues.
http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

[dirtyfellaw2]

Originally Posted by Gswiss

I had no problem at all installing XP alongside a pre-installed Vista on my HP nc6320 laptop. On the other hand, I get stuck right from the start, when I try to do the same thing on a friend's Dell Inspiron 6400.

When I reach the point where XP installer asks where the XP partition should be located and I select an unallocated area (same problem appears even if I create and format an empty partition beforehand and select it), I get the following error message : “To install Windows XP on the selected partition, installation program must copy certain boot files on Disk 0 with ID 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]. However, this disk does not contain a partition compatible with Windows XP”.

I don’t know whether this has to do with the SATA disk. On the HP, I disabled SATA Native Support in the BIOS and everything went fine. In the Dell Bios, I found no equivalent option.

How can I create a “compatible partition” ?

GSwiss, please advise the work around for the 'disabled SATA Native Support in the BIOS' for DELL Inspiron 6400

[Gswiss]

There is no parameter in the BIOS to handle SATA drives in the Dell Inspiron 6400.

I managed to install a dual boot environment by moving the Vista partition to an extrernal disk, installing Xp and moving the Vista partition back. I reinstated a normal dual boot environment by fiddling around with the EasyBCD options. On the way I lost the Media Center feature, but who cares.

Media Center can be replaced by a normal PowerDVD and a DVD burner software. Instead of clicking on the key you click on an icon.

[amitagl27]

i have installed xp as per given instructions on the guide above

i m using hp pavillion dv2214tu noteboobk

i was looking for drivers for xp in hp website but i saw there

"If your PC shipped with Vista, but you decided to downgrade it to XP, your PC may not work properly without specific drivers designed for Windows XP. HP recommends reinstalling the original Vista operating system using the Vista recovery discs that you created with the Recovery Manager when you first used the PC."

also i have no wlan and audio drivers installed in xp os

what to do??????

[Elvandil]

You'll need to find the drivers. The ones on manufacturers' sites are far better than any you can get from HP.

See what models of hardware you need drivers for using:

PCWizard
WinAudit
System Information for Windows (SIW)
Belarc Advisor
Mitec System Information

[amitagl27]

i have used driver properties to chek for the hardware manufacturar but i have no idea where i will find the hardware manufacturar for my wlan driver

plz help

[Gswiss]

Run Everest Ultimate Edition (or Aida if you can lay your hands on it) which will give you an inventory of all devices installed on your pc along with the manufacturer's website in every case.

[dirtyfellaw2]

Originally Posted by Gswiss

There is no parameter in the BIOS to handle SATA drives in the Dell Inspiron 6400.

I managed to install a dual boot environment by moving the Vista partition to an extrernal disk, installing Xp and moving the Vista partition back. I reinstated a normal dual boot environment by fiddling around with the EasyBCD options. On the way I lost the Media Center feature, but who cares.

Media Center can be replaced by a normal PowerDVD and a DVD burner software. Instead of clicking on the key you click on an icon.

Thanks for the response.
Did you have to download any SATA drivers for the Inspiron 6400 before you installed XP Pro? please advise...

[Evan Balcaen]

I am running vista and cannot copy the BCD file from the boot folder and i cannot find the boot.ini, ntldr & NTDETECT.COM files....

btw. i had an old HP DV9000 with XP media center on it. it blew up (motherboard issue) and i put the old hard drive in this machine(in the secondary drive). so basically, if i switched the secondary drive with the primary i would be running XP but i want to be able to switch between them quicker (and its a ***** to take out the new HP hard drives).

how do i find these files? im guessing that i have to have to switch the drives and copy the files when im not running vista. but, i dont feel like taking out the hard drives and doing that. any suggestions?

[Gswiss]

Originally Posted by dirtyfellaw2

Thanks for the response.
Did you have to download any SATA drivers for the Inspiron 6400 before you installed XP Pro? please advise...

No. Ignore the SATA drives in the case of Dell.

[Spex]

I might be mistaken but are these files only available only after you have installed XP and are not viewable while running vista? the files are: boot.ini, ntldr & NTDETECT.COM.

Im also running an OEM version of Vista home that came pre-installed on my HP pavilion dv9438 laptop. Will not having the DVD stop me from fixing the boot load problem?

[Maggiemain]

I know this subject has been beaten to death and I have read all the posts (until 2:00 am this morning) but I cannot get XP on the computer. I have downloaded all the drivers for the hardware and also the driver for SATA as well but all the things that people are talking about do not exist on this computer. I have a dimension 9200C with a AHCI controller and when I go into the setup there is no disable or large or whatever. There is only on or off for the hard drive (SATA 0) and the DVD (SATA 1) and SATA Operation (ATA or AHCI and default is AHCI). The computer has a Hitachi hard drive 250 MG. I removed the partitions (as they had 3) and I partitioned it into 1 since I do not want a dual boot. Then I put the XP CD in and booted up. When it came up to the start I hit the F6 and when it came up I put in the disk with the files and hit enter. When it finished I put back in the XP CD and continued. Finished loading the windows files and then it says starting windows and within a minute or so it comes up with the error Stop blah, blah, blah. I don't think I have ever had this much trouble in setting up a machine but I haven't done tech support in about 5 years. Any suggestions as to how I can get this up and running. I tried formatting the hard drive but I could not get that to work either. Obviously I have been out of this business too long. Thanks.

[Gswiss]

Format your disk with Disk Director Suite through an Acronis Loader bootable cd-rom. Otherwise, use PartitionMagic 8.0 loaded through diskettes.

[selvaind_2001]

i hv used the same way specified in the article. for my Toshiba a200 comes with Vista Home Basic.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919529

[RexHam]

I found this guide useful http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp ....there's a link to do it vice versa too - Vista after XP!!