Windows XP installation problem.

[SwordPlay]

I am new to IBM an just purchased a T20 to see if I like it before investing in somthing newer.

I formatted the hard drive and am trying to install Windows XP Pro. The problem is that every time it about half way through the installation, it freezes up. After several attempts to start over, I noticed that it freezes in the exact same spot.

I have tried everything I know including different CD's and swapping out some of the components on the computer, but the problem persists.

What am I doing wrong? Do I need to do something special to the hard drive before installing XP? I am fairly knowledgeable about computers, but this has me stomped. Please help.

[mattfromomaha]

Hmm. Possibly a driver problem. If the CD doesn't have an essential driver for the T20 to complete the setup process I could see it not completing successfully. Can you install Win NT4 or (God save me) Win 98 and then Upgrade once you download the XP drivers?

[SwordPlay]

I'll try anything at this point. I will try and locate a copy of NT and try it that way. Any other suggestions?

[croushore]

As a lurker, I had to register here in order to post this solution for you. I inherited a T20 just yesterday with the same problem. I've discovered, it's actually a weird incompatibility with Intel Speedstep; disable Speedstep in the BIOS, and you're all set.

[SwordPlay]

Where in the bios do you disable Speedstep? I can't find the setting?

[croushore]

According to IBM, BIOS version 1.17 is the first to officially support Windows XP.

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... suiy61.txt

So, if you haven't already, using a floppy disk, flash your BIOS to the most current version IYET61WW (1.22.)

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... sdiy61.exe

After flashing your BIOS, make sure to load the BIOS setup defaults (F9,) and save them (F10.) Then, you'll find the option to disable Speedstep in the BIOS setup utility under CONFIG/POWER.... scroll down, and you'll find INTEL (R) SPEED STEP TECHNOLOGY.... change the value to DISABLED.

[SwordPlay]

Well, I updated the BIOS and disabled the speedstep option, but still nothing.

Any other setting that need to be disabled?

[lvlolvlo]

perhaps bad RAM. I had this issue once, but it was on a desktop machine. I replaced the RAM and I believe it was Windows 2000 Pro I was trying to install - installed.

[croushore]

Next step might be to reseat the processor and memory, clean the memory contacts with a pencil eraser, and perhaps run some diagnostics on the entire laptop. IBM makes a great piece of software that runs in DOS called PC Doctor, you'll need two floppy discs. This way you'll know for certain whether it is a bad processor and/or memory that's holding you back.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4YZM3F

[croushore]

Oh, you could also try disabling some more power management features, also in CONFIG/POWER..... disable CPU Power Management and PCI Bus Power Management.