Thinkpads Forum

Before I did the clean install Windows XP Tablet, I changed AHCI to compatible mode, then XP recognized SATA hard drive. The problem is after the first reboot, BLUE SCREEN! It said hardware problem, let me shut it down. I googled the problem, find a solution: I need load a Intel driver, but I don't have a floppy!! Unable to load it by press F6 during installation.

I think the predesktop area is still there, but I can't use the ThinkVantage button when it starts, I don't wanna use recovery CDs to recovery the entire HD again. Any help?

BTW, I used my original Windows XP Pro CD and the second XP Tablet CD (I download the second one). Is this a problem, maybe?

bin.dong wrote:Before I did the clean install Windows XP Tablet, I changed AHCI to compatible mode, then XP recognized SATA hard drive. The problem is after the first reboot, BLUE SCREEN! It said hardware problem, let me shut it down. I googled the problem, find a solution: I need load a Intel driver, but I don't have a floppy!! Unable to load it by press F6 during installation.

I think the predesktop area is still there, but I can't use the ThinkVantage button when it starts, I don't wanna use recovery CDs to recovery the entire HD again. Any help?

BTW, I used my original Windows XP Pro CD and the second XP Tablet CD (I download the second one). Is this a problem, maybe?

Although it is not recommended, you can change a Windows XP installation from non-AHCI to AHCI after the entire installation is completed.

I did it myself on my X61s because Windows XP would not install from the factory restore disks unless I changed SATA mode to compatibility.

I downloaded the Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver for XP from Lenovo. When it is extracted there is a subdirectory named "PREPARE" created. In it was a file called "install.cmd". I ran it and it prepared my system for switching from non-AHCI to AHCI mode. I restarted the computer, entered the BIOS and changed SATA mode from Compatibility to AHCI and upon reboot all necessary drivers were install.

However, Intel strongly discourages switching from non-AHCI to AHCI mode post installation, so this is done at your own risk.

So, try to switch to compatibility mode and see if your OS will boot and if you "dare" switch to AHCI mode later.

bin.dong wrote:snip.....I think the predesktop area is still there, but I can't use the ThinkVantage button when it starts, I don't wanna use recovery CDs to recovery the entire HD again. Any help?....snip

You've been assisted in that matter in another thread of yours.

bin.dong wrote:snip....BTW, I used my original Windows XP Pro CD and the second XP Tablet CD (I download the second one). Is this a problem, maybe?.....snip

Windows XP 2005 PC tablet edition was never released as retail and only sold to vendors and computer manufacturers as oem, to make the key on the back of your machine work you need an oem PC tablet edition media which you'll unlikely find in stores or *somewhere* online.

A thread for your perusal:

Help! Clean Windows Tablet 2005 install on X61.

ryengineer wrote:Windows XP 2005 PC tablet edition was never released as retail and only sold to vendors and computer manufacturers as oem, to make the key on the back of your machine work you need an oem PC tablet edition media which you'll unlikely find in stores or *somewhere* online.

That's right, I knew Microsoft never released XP Tablet edition to public. According to my research, the first XP Tablet CD is actually XP Pro CD, really no difference. If you do have a valid Tablet key, then the second installation CD will be activated, some tablet functions will be added to XP Pro.

I do have a legal copy of Windows XP Pro and the second XP Tablet CD (download). OK, for the legal key problem. Here is the thing, Lenovo sent me a set of XP Tablet recovery CDs, that means I can use XP Tablet edition for my X61T legally, right? After I did full recovery, there is a valid XP Tablet key in my C drive-> i386 folder-> a file called "UNATTEND.TXT". This is the key I used for XP Tablet edition because my laptop came with Vista.