Windows 8 hard drive won't allow me to install Windows xp...

Hello. I previously had a Dell XPS 8500 which came with Windows 8. I installed Windows XP on that machine without any difficulties. While under warranty, I had to return that computer due to a faulty motherboard. Dell sent me a replacement computer which is a Dell XPS 8700. It also has Windows 8. For some reason my Windows XP disc will not format on this computer and I can't figure out why......When I boot the Windows XP reformat disc the blue screen comes up and it appears to be going through all the programs (as can be seen at the bottom of the screen). Once that is finished, it appears to be proceeding fine to the reformat area. But just before reaching that point I get an error that states that Windows has stopped to prevent damage and states that the hard drive may be corrupted or their is a virus. The Windows XP disc is fine because I have an old laptop that I tested it on and it works fine. I don't think there is anything wrong with the hard drive and there's no virus's. I tried reformatting Windows 7 onto the Dell XPS 8700 and it worked just fine. I then after the Windows 7 was installed I tried to reformat the Windows XP but I continue to get the same errors just before the reformat options. Is there something installed on the hard drive that doesn't allow Windows XP? Or, could be a driver issue that I'm having with the 8700. I had zero problems with the 8500. Any ideas? I'm really stumped here. Thanks!

 

What is the exact message?

There are several reasons this could be happening.

1. XP does not contain SATA drivers needed for the SATA controller, or is in AHCI mode (likely).
2. Secure boot is preventing it (unlikely if you can boot to the installer).
3. The hard drive is partitioned using GPT.


Solutions for:

1. Find SATA drivers or (maybe) switch the SATA controller to IDE mode.
2. Disable secure boot in UEFI options.
3. Repartition and format the hard drive, not just format. You might even have to wipe out the MBR. mkdiskraw is what I would use.

 

The exact message reads as follows..... Windows Setup - Setup is loading files -

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer. If this is the first time you have seen this stop error screen restart ;your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps. Check for virus on your computer. Remove any newly installed hard drivers or hard driver controllers. Check your hard drive to make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run CHKDSK/F to check for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer. Technical information: ***stop 0x0000007B (0xF78DA524, 0xC0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

Solutions for:

1. Find SATA drivers or (maybe) switch the SATA controller to IDE mode.
I'm sure the Windows XP disc has the SATA drivers. But I'm not sure what AHCI and IDE mode is.....can you explain more on that?
2. Disable secure boot in UEFI options.
I have tried this and Windows XP set up was still unsuccessful.
3. Repartition and format the hard drive, not just format. You might even have to wipe out the MBR. mkdiskraw is what I would use.
I have tried to format windows 8, but I'm not sure how to repartition. Can you explain more? What is the MBR?

 

Stop 0x7B is INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE, so the problem is #1.

Check your UEFI options (some still refer to it as BIOS) for the hard drive controllers and see if they can be switched to IDE mode.

XP came out before SATA did, if memory serves. It may have had some support for it added in a service pack, but it will be limited.
The XP disc does not have AHCI drivers for SATA controllers (and I am unsure how it will react to IDE mode). This is a very, very old OS, and this is newer hardware.

 

Ok, it doesn't look like there is an ATA or IDE mode in the XPS 8500 settings, but try this:

Try setting the controller mode from AHCI to RAID, despite not having any other HDDs to build an array.

 

I tried to set the controller mode from AHCI to RAID. The Legacy then gave me 2 options. I tried them both. Both gave me a black screen with some instructions in the top left hand corner. I wasn't sure at that point what to input or which button to press.

 

What were the options, and what were the instructions?

 

I was wrong. The 2 options were in UEFI boot not the Legacy. I should be in Legacy and not UEFI, yes? The 2 option were UEFI: IP4 Realtek PCIe & UEFI: IP6 Realtek PCIe. I don't think those options are going to help will they? I just can't figure out why I was able to reformat windows xp on the 8500 system but not on the 8700 system. I think they are pretty much the same technology.

 

Yeah those are PCI express boot options for your internal NIC.


You don't want to be in legacy for this, I "believe" the legacy menu is for boot options. We don't want that.

From another site, I got the location:

Advanced menu <hit Enter>, Onboard Device configuration <hit Enter>, SATA Mode <hit Enter>, change it to RAID, and then hit F10, select Yes, and reboot to XP CD.

 

I tried Advanced menu <hit Enter>, Onboard Device configuration <hit Enter>, SATA Mode <hit Enter>, change it to RAID, and then hit F10, select Yes, and reboot to XP CD.

When in raid and after rebooting a light blue screen appears for a couple of seconds and then it tries to reset itself again. The screen is very quick so I can't read it all but it has a big and some words with it.

 

Did it even boot to CD?

It won't boot to the Windows 8 installation and have the same behavior you mentioned if you try.

 

If that is not the issue, the best I can offer as advice is this guide from another 8500 user. First, change the controller mode back to AHCI. Then...


Warning: Pain in the butt guide incoming

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/t/19457476.aspx?pi21953=2

It is about halfway down the page.

 

no it did not boot. just the light blue screen with a big unhappy face for a couple of seconds and then it tries to restart again and keeps coming back to the light blue screen with the big unhappy face.

 

Ok, check out the post prior to this. That might be your only solution, slipstreaming drivers for AHCI into XP.

 

Sorry, I had to step away from the computer for a moment. I briefly looked at this and it makes a lot of sense. I have a feeling this might be the answer. I'll try it tonight and I'll post tomorrow if it was successful or not. Thanks for your help!!!