[Edzo]

I've recently bought a new Acer Notebook travelmate 6292 with Vista preinstalled.
I would like to remove Vista and install XP pro.
After changing the boot sequence to CDdrive first and inserting the XP disk it goes
through the install process then comes up with hard drive not installed.
Normally at that stage it would give me the option of HD to install.
My intention is to format the HD and install Xp. What am I doing wrong. Help!

[bearone2]

if it came with vista how can the hd not be installed? have you done something you haven't mentioned?

[DoubleHelix]

Did you verify that all the hardware has Windows XP drivers? If not, use Vista.

[Edzo]

My notebook has Vista installed and working, but when I reboot with the XP disk in it the HD
is not recognised. Could it be that my XP does not recognise the Mboard and HD?
I hope not, otherwise I'm stucked with Vista.

[DoubleHelix]

Edzo, did you go to the laptop manufacturer's website to verify that you can get drivers for all the hardware for Windows XP? Many new computer manufacturers are not providing drivers for anything other than Vista. If you wipe this hard drive of the operating system it came with, you could find yourself with a largely unusable machine.

I'm not sure if you didn't understand my post or just chose to ignore it. I'd hate to see you (with or without the help of others) wipe out a functioning system only to find out that some of the hardware just won't work anymore.

[Edzo]

DHelix, I did not ignore your post. Thanks to all who responded.
I have taken your advice. I need to find out if Xp drivers are available.
It still baffles me that XP does not recognise my HD, so even if the drivers are available
on the Acer website I won't be format my HD.

[peterh40]

What type of hard disk is it? Is it a SATA drive, if so, then you need to press F6 and provide SATA drivers from a floppy disk.

[Edzo]

Yes Peter, it is a SATA HD. Where can I get the SATA drivers and I don't have a floppy drive.
Can I use a USB pen or do I have to burn it on a CD.
Could you please give me a quick rundown of the procedure for installing. Thanks very much.

[Rich-M]

Well that's part of the problem. Acer probably doesn't have sata driver for XP because they had no attention of anyone installing XP on that notebook. I don't think you can install the driver, which I doubt exists anyway, any other way than a floppy disk anyway.

[peterh40]

You can download SATA drivers here:
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers...k/tm_6292.html

You cannot use a USB or a CDROM as that requires those drives loaded before being able to read them. It must be on floppy disk. Alternatively, you need to merge or slipstream the driver in with XP to produce a XP CD which you can boot from and have the driver ready (most restore disks do this).

[DoubleHelix]

Since almost no new laptops come with floppies, I'd say that option is pretty much out the window.

[gwashington]

i have a Gateway notebook [month old] and i was trying to install XP pro...the same issue popped up. It didnt suprise me ,but my issuse is that it freezes up when im on the net and drivers from gateway are downloading...and other times when im using crappy IE..otherwise it rarely does anything bad..for now..im not giving up till i get XP running..got darnit! [just commenting]

[Edzo]

I was able to install XP by compiling another XP install disk and including the SATA drivers.
I have all the drivers except for the Graphics card. Does anyone know where to get them.
Notebook is Acer Notebook travelmate 6292 and it has the Intel Graphic Media Accelerator GMA X3100. Thanks guys for your help.

[peterh40]

Download Intel VGA Driver 6.14 from the Acer link I gave earlier.
Also , you can download Intel drivers from here:
http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/

You will need to identify the chipset and controller you are using before selecting a driver.

[Edzo]

Disregard the last request. I found the Video drivers for my Notebook.
Things are looking good. Now to install all my software. Whew!!