Starting Up Windows Xp Thinkpad

He has the XP now,

I am in the same club (mind you you have had ten years longer to get there- my turn will come)

 

I suggest that you (Hair of Red) download the update pack (unofficial XP SP4) from Majorgeeks) to give you a chance if going on-line
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_xp_service_pack_4_unofficial.html

Anivirus that still, apparently, works O.K with XP AVG
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/avg_antivirus_free_edition.html

 

I'm sorry to say that for the second time I'm going to give up. Nothing is working out, mainly because the machine can not get onto the Internet. I have installed the XP 3 service pack that didn't help. I can't get MajorGeeks XP 4 service pack or all other links that were suggested because of the Internet problem.
I even downloaded the audio driver to another machine, copied to a flash and tried to download to the XP. It froze up on installation.

Thank you all MajorGeeks for all your great help and support. It's time for me to throw in the towel.

It's been very educational and I learned a lot.

Red

 

Well, Hair of red, you are so close- sometimes if you try running it from the usb, it can play up- perhaps copy and paste from the usb, into the XP machine, then run it-did you try that ?
All the links can be downloaded, and saved on another pc, then copied and pasted on to a usb stick, then copied and pasted into the XP machine.
However, I would suggest that you have a rest from it, and leave it until after Easter ,and , perhaps with a break, and look again, it might come easier, if you still want to have a go.
We have to give the old brain cells a rest sometimes, but you did well up to a point, so feel good about that.
Come back if you decide to have another go, after a break to clear the debris....Just pick up on this thread , at any time.

 

Thank you Baklogic, I see you believe in the saying "Never say die".

Yes, I have tried the copy & paste from a USB. When I installed it on the THINKPAD the install whiz starts the installation but freezes on the first page.

The same thing happens when I try to set up the connection for the Internet Lan server. The automatic is checked by default. That doesn't find the connection. I uncheck automatic and type in the address manually. It doesn't try to find the connection but keeps going back to the main set up page. I tried it several times with the same results.


That is why I have thrown in the towel. I'll do as you say and take a rest until next week. As you say, maybe I'm doing something wrong that I can't see now. We shall see.

 

Mekanic, in post #26 you mentioned that you have old disks that you can image to cloud.
Would I be able to retrieve them from my Win7 desktop. If so, how can I do that? I have icloud on my iPad2 and do not know how to retrieve from Win7 if it has that feature.

 

From W7, yes. Also, could you borrow or do you have a WiFi dongle?

The link in post #49 has a small collection of disc images, or .iso files. These are files meant to be burned to media, or mounted on a virtual drive. For an older machine, the best option is usually a bootable disc. Some can't boot a USB drive. A freeware program like ImgBurn will burn a bootable CD for XP, or for later OS versions a DVD is required. You just download the image file, burn and boot.

The other crazy thought that crossed my mind is to try dual booting and install a 64 bit version of XP Pro on your not so new machine. May work, may not.

 

Also, have you done a RAM diagnostic like MemTest?

 

Dual boot may confuse Hair of red- Also, I always found that the earlier versions of Windows went on first, for least problems.
I also found that Bootable cd was better in XP, as usb was a bit late coming for it, if I remember correctly.

 

Baklogic, I have done as you suggested and gave my brain a rest. It worked, as I went back a year ago when I purchased this refurbished THINKPAD. They had warned me that it is only good for playing old games. Not to buy it if I wanted to go on-to the Internet. There is something that he mentioned, that I don't remember, that doesn't support it.
I didn't care about going on the Internet at that time so I purchased it. So all the attempts to solve the internet problem were in vain.

I can install games with no sound. I tried downloading the audio file on a USB but that didn't work out. I'll just have to play the games on this machine with no sound.


I'm try to get Dosbox working on my Win7. I can't get the game mounted in Dosbox.
I have the game in my D drive.
At Dosbox Z prompt I type "mount c d:\dosprogs\" as they request and get a message "directory d:\dosprogs\" doesn't exist.
Is there something that I'm not doing right? I checked and rechecked the spelling and spacing that to my eyes are correct. I didn't type the " in the command.

 

Open Device Manager.
Is there a question or exclamation mark next to Audio?

 

There is none in the sound, video and game controllers.
There is a question mark in other devices. In the listing, Multimedia audio controller has a question mark.

 

Take a screenshot and post it.

 

The OS is XP and I don't know if it can take a snapshot.
This is what it looks like

? Other devices
? Ethernet Controller
? Multimedia audio Controller
? PCI Modem
? Unknown device
? Video controller (VGA Compatable)

Is this what you want to see?

 

That's a total of 6 devices without drivers.
When you tried to install the audio driver, did you copy the setup file to the hard disk?

Here's a great free screen capture utility. (I use it in Windows XP & 7)
http://www.aplusfreeware.com/categories/mmedia/FastStoneCapture.html

 

When I tried to copy the drive, it started the installation and the froze.

Thanks for the screen capture utility

 

I think that laptop wants to retire...

What I would do is partition the Windows 7 PC's hard disk and install Windows XP on the new partition. That's if the motherboard supports Windows XP.

 

Thanks.That sounds like a good idea to partition Win7 hard drive to install WinXP. I'll have to research that to find out how it is done.

 

First check if the motherboard supports Windows XP and if the necessary drivers are available.
You'll find that info on the manufacturers website.
Then come back to us.

 

I checked the the motherboard specs and they didn't have anything about WinXP not being allowed. They also don't list individual drivers.

In my past experience, if something you are doing is not supported, they will tell you. I'd like to give it a try as long as I don't loose any of my present files.

 

I wanted to check the procedure and found that there is no unattended areas. There are three Primary Partitions, two that can be shrunk, Recovery 750 MB NTFS, OC 148.20 GB NTFS.
The OC Has 47754 MB To shrink
The Recovery only 450 MB To shrink

Should I shrink th OC? Will that be enough for a new partition?

 

I think you meant unallocated areas (partitions)
Yes, -

you can---​

You probably know just to use the disk management to do that, BUT......
As you have a recovery partition, I would consider using Partition Wizard to do the work. You could just use PW to move the recovery partition... http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/minitool_partition_wizard_home_edition.html
If it was my system , I would use Partition Wizard to shrink the148.20 gb partition by about 8gb (you need space left on that hard drive for any future copying ,etc:, and you should not get to less than 20% of the 148.20, to avoid hassle (148/5 = say 30gb)- less 8gb for Windows XP, would leave the main partition with around 40 GB free.
I have done this, myself, and this is what you do.
Using PW, click on the largest partition (partition C) , and you can move the slider at the top showing your hard drive to shrink the partition, then click apply button (top left)
Now, you choose the Recovery partition, and , click on the move/resize button, again, use the slide to actually move the recovery partition to butt up against the C partition. Click the apply button.
When that is finished ,the unallocated space will be at the end of the hard drive, and you can more safely install XP on that unallocated space, without jumbling up the drive letters, and your recovery partition will work as it should, should you ever need it.
Come back if you want a pictured walk through on it

 

Thank you for the info. I always run into problems, if it's not too much trouble, can you please post the pictured version.

 

You have done well , to date-
O.K- I had just started to shut down- I will come back tomorrow with pictures and explanation on each step.
See you tomorrow

 

That would be fine. When you come back tomorrow, this is the amount that I have estimated to shrink.

Total size before shrink in MB: 151757
Size of available shrink space in MB: 47754
Enter the amount of space to shrink in MB: 43757
Total size after shrink in MB: 108000

Let me know if this is the correct amount to shrink: 43757.

 

Baklogic, I'm sorry to have bothered you for the partition photo walkthrough. I thought you had a link to it. Don't go through the trouble to create one, if you haven't already started.

I'll just need the proper amount of MBs to shrink.

 

You only need abut 8 to 10 gb to run XP- You need to keep space on your hard drive main partition for other use-Shrink by say 10000mb (10gb)
I have been busy helping a Neighbourhood watch scheme to startup-and I have a little time, now-it does not take long

 

Pictures will show how, if you have not done already.
Startup Partition Wizard
Click top left hand box- click on the C Partion -in the example, I have a second drive, and its main Partition is H(yours will be C)
On top of list on left is move/resize -click on that- then if you hold the mouse over the end of the partion, you will see a + APPEAR, and you hold down left mouse button, and slide gently towards the left, until you see say 110gb,or, thereabouts, and then click the Apply button (top left of left column)
Continued next post.

 

Next you will see something like this
Click the apply button again. You will now see a 10gb space before the recovery partition.
Now click on the recovery partition (on mine that is the 590mb partition, as you will see.
Next hold the mouse n that recovery partition, and actually slide it to the left to but up against the C partition
Click apply button, and wait until it gives a little box to say completed successfully, and when it dos close the Partition Wizard.
On my example, I just did not click apply after any change, and it made no changes, but yours will.
Be patient- it is a brilliant tool, and your new Unallocated partition will have be ready for XP installation

Incidentally- This disk that I was working on - It has a faulty first 30/40 gb partition- which I created on that disk using this same tool, and physically moved the whole partition for me - I did have to do a restart on that , though, so that it could do it from restart,(not something I recommend until people understand it more in that cas.e

 

[QUOTE="I'm try to get Dosbox working on my Win7. I can't get the game mounted in Dosbox.
I have the game in my D drive.
At Dosbox Z prompt I type "mount c d:\dosprogs\" as they request and get a message "directory d:\dosprogs\" doesn't exist.
Is there something that I'm not doing right? I checked and rechecked the spelling and spacing that to my eyes are correct. I didn't type the " in the command.[/QUOTE]

I missed that thread- as it is a different problem, and with Windows 7,it would be worth starting a new thread about that problem, and someone, who uses dosbox , might be able to help (Sorry, not something I have dealt with)

 

I clicked the C:OS partition & Move/Resize Partition buttons. The Size And Location shows the adjustable bar at 148.20 GB (Used:92.67 GB Unused 55.53 GB). Moving the left side moves the Unallocated space Before while Moving the right side moves the Unallocated Space After. The Unallocated space After runs from 0.34 to 55.10 GB leaving the original 93.10 GB. You said to move it to around 110GB. I can only go to 55.10. There's not enough room for 110 GB.

What should it be on this computer? Maybe there's just not enough room, period.

 

Sorry-I made a boo-boo there- You only need to SHRINK IT by around 10gb -NOT 110GB- I seem to have given wrong figure, 147-10= 137gb will be left on the C partition
So slide to the left very slowly, (click the end of the C partition, and when you see the little cross, slide this from the right end of the partition) so that you have only reduced it by 10gb , and this will leave 10gb in unallocated space before the recovery partition, but after the C partition.
You show over 47gb of space, so you should leave yourself with 37gb approximately of FREE SPACE on the C partition, Total partition C size will have around 138gb left on it, afterwards.
and this will be at the end of partition C, -with the recovery partition having 10gb of space to move into, to its left,
and then once the recovery partition is moved into that space, you will have the 10gb of unallocated space at the end of your hard drive.

 

SUCCESS. I FINALLY HAVE MY NEW PARTION FOR WINDOWS XP.

Thanks to all MajorGeeks especially Baklogic who stood by me until the end. It's been long and tiresome and wanted to quit twice but was edged on by you MajorGeeks.

Thanks again
Red

 

It looks like getting a new partition was all in vain. I have two XP installation disks that don't boot automaticly. When I open the file in the D: drive, my new partition is K: and click the setup button, the install button is greyed out.

Is it time for me to really quit this time?

 

NO!

1. Load the WinXP disk.
2. Close whatever window opens.
3. Restart the PC.
   
4. As soon as you see something on the screen, hit F11, and select the CD/DVD drive as the boot device.

 

F11 doesn't do anything but start normally.

F12 has startup boot options.

Hitting F12 will install on C: drive. I want to install on the new partition K:

 

That's correct.
You then select the CD or DVD drive and hit enter.
Then you'll be given the option on which partition to install.

 

Apologies - Just seen Eldon's post- but ..........if it will not instal
We created an unallocated partition- I would suggest going to disk management, and right clicking that drive, and choose New Simple Volume from the dropdown, and followthe instructions from here- I have not got a spare partition/nor hard drive to give you pictures myself, unfortunately.
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/8790/dual-boot-your-pre-installed-windows-7-computer-with-xp/
Then, -When the disc is in ,and starts- you should be able to choose the K partition to instal XP on

 

I would like to know if you managed to get XP installed on the ne K partition, by following Eldon's post......

If not , did you try ............

I understand you are getting to grips with dosbox, now, on another thread- that is good, but let us know about this one.
I am now clear of the normal bugs of life, and back for the occasional attempt to solve IT bugs if I can..

 

I have Dosbox running now thanks to the MajorGeeks in my other post.

I have the new partitio K: that I have running now. I'm having some problems with the partition. Maybe I did something wrong setting it up. I can't tell you about it right now but I will get back to you shortly.

 

That link explains in good detail, with pictures- Read/scrol down until you see "After the process completes you’ll see the new Unallocated space. Right-click that and select New Simple Volume."
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/8790/dual-boot-your-pre-installed-windows-7-computer-with-xp/
That will enable you to complete the whole process, and set up the boot selection, and enable you to install XP quite easily.
I may have a spare hard drive free shortly, and could come back with pictures to accompany the explanation, like that link does, if you run into difficulty.

 

Thanks for the link @baklogic.
Many users will appreciate it to install WinXP after Win7.

 

I hope it serves the purpose- it is pretty good, pictured write-upon that link- I still have not got my spare hard drive free to run it through with pictures, myself, at the moment, as I would rather have done that
I think anyone wanting to go back to using XP would find that link ideal, anyway.

 

I have found my problem of running the new partition. It was that I didn't have the partition activated. It was stated that before the partition can be activated it must have an OS installed. I found that I have to set the boot order for two OS's. I went to Bios and it is too confusing for this old brain. Searching Google had instructions on how to do it but that didn't help me.

Is there a short cut to get the new partition activated?

 

MajorGeeks.Com Support Forums
Hair of red, baklogic replied to a thread you are watching at MajorGeeks.Com Support Forums.

Starting Up Windows Xp Thinkpad
https://forums.majorgeeks.com/data/avatars/s/65/65440.jpg?1511616104
That link explains in good detail, with pictures- Read/scrol down until you see "After the process completes you’ll see the new Unallocated space. Right-click that and select New Simple Volume."
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/8790/dual-boot-your-pre-installed-windows-7-computer-with-xp/
That will enable you to complete the whole process, and set up the boot selection, and enable you to install XP quite easily.
I may have a spare hard drive free shortly, and could come back with pictures to accompany the explanation, like that link does, if you run into
-—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE ABOVE IS A COPY OF YOUR POST

I have gone to the above link and didn't have the same result of installing the XP installation in the new partition. The reason for that is my XP installation disk is not bootable. When I try to install, the install button is greyed out. That is why I can't following their instructions on how to change the boot sequence to a double boot.

I still have the same problems of making the XP installation disk bootable.

 

Take a picture of this and upload it.

 

This is the window I get when I try to install WinXP.

 

Click on 'Check system compatibility'.

 

I checked that and got Microsoft Offical Site for Windows. I don't see anything for checking comparability.

 

The automatic button was greyed out. I checked the website button.