Presario CQ61 and Xp Pro - A Living Hell

Hello All,

I have recently purchased a Presario CQ61-410 US (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834107043) and am now trying to install Xp Pro on it. I am having major difficulties.

After a lot of googling, I found these guides (http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Operating-systems-and-software/General-XP-Downgrade-Guide-for-HP-Laptops/td-p/83267, http://maxeasyguide.blogspot.com/2008/04/preparations-for-winxp-installation-cd.html). I tried both solutions to no avail; I would still get a blue screen after during the initial install. Then I realized I have the AMD chipset, and thanks to this thread (http://www.techsupportforum.com/har...t/422183-xp-drivers-presario-cq-61-310en.html) was able to find the Raid drivers, slipstream them with Nlite and begin. The SATA hard drive was readable, and the installation commenced.

Here, though, is the rub. I am able to get through the basic install screen (F8 I agree, partitions, etc) and through the first "GUI" install screen (Agree to EULA, "Your Screen May Flicker for a few Seconds" etc). However, after that install and when the computer restarts and goes to load XP, I get the XP splashscreen for maybe 1-2 seconds, then the system reboots. I have no idea why. I know the install I am using is solid (it is running tried and true on another machine), and I have tried making a second boot disk, but every time I encounter the same problem: splash screen for a second, then restart.

I am not concerned about the other drivers, as I have Driver Genuis Pro. I just need the OS to load so I can run it!

A few bits of information:
1. The BIOS (which is the worst BIOS I have ever encountered, it does not let you change basically anything except for the Date and Time) has a field, grayed out, that says "Factory Installed OS: Windows 7".
2. I installed Ubuntu 10.04 and it is running fine.
3. The XP install I am trying to boot is 32 bit, SP3.
4. I have never, ever, had this much problems with an install before.

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks much in advance.

BarabasKid

 

my first instinct would be to check the RAM.

 

This was part of a review on the newegg site written on May 2nd.

Not every computer will accept the OS ypu want to install on it; hardware is a big factor.

 

Hi Barabas.

Take a look at this page.... http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Operat...64-to-XP-64-bit-for-the-CQ61-319WM/m-p/209732

I'm not sure if it is entriely relevant as i have just had a quick google and this looks like a good read on the subject.


Hope it helps, Bob.