Downgrading (upgrading) to XP

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ThinkPad · #1 Post by **ThinkPad** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:32 pm

I have a T60 which had XP on it, but was upgraded to Vista by the previous owner. It still has the XP COA on the bottom, so question is can I install XP on the same hard drive?
I tried using an XP cd and recovery disk, but none were successful. The Vista is corrupted too, wont load past user screen...

p.s it has an updated bios if that affects anything.

mgo · #2 Post by **mgo** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:41 pm

ThinkPad wrote:I have a T60 which had XP on it, but was upgraded to Vista by the previous owner. It still has the XP COA on the bottom, so question is can I install XP on the same hard drive?
I tried using an XP cd and recovery disk, but none were successful. The Vista is corrupted too, wont load past user screen...

p.s it has an updated bios if that affects anything.

Do you have the the original CD recovery disks for XP? Did the previous owner create them? If not have you tried running Rescue & Recovery to see if you can get something to happen for you in Recovery?

If Vista will not boot past the user screen have you tried to run a Windows CD or DVD to get to the Windows Rescue utility?

That might fix any boot record problems.

ThinkPad · #3 Post by **ThinkPad** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:42 pm

Oh man, I was using my T42 recovery disks!

Anyways I do not have the T60 recovery disk, and the rescue/recovery program has been deleted. The thinkvantage button takes me to the bios.

I have an original XP pro cd and tried to use that to reinstall, but said it cannot find the hard drive

ThinkPad · #4 Post by **ThinkPad** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:51 pm

The exact message is as follows
"Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer

Make sure any hard disk drives are powered on and properly connected to your computer, and that any disk-related hardware configuration is correct. This may involve running a manufacturer-supplied diagnostic or setup program."

I just installed Ubuntu which runs fine...

mgo · #5 Post by **mgo** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:04 pm

ThinkPad wrote:The exact message is as follows
"Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer

Make sure any hard disk drives are powered on and properly connected to your computer, and that any disk-related hardware configuration is correct. This may involve running a manufacturer-supplied diagnostic or setup program."

I just installed Ubuntu which runs fine...

In my experience, Ubuntu and other Linux distros will alter the hard drive boot sector which makes it unreadable to a Windows XP install attempt.

Boot over the XP install disk and use the "repair" option and in the Recovery Console run "Fixboot" and "Fixmbr" which makes the drive visible to Windows. That should allow Windows to "see" the drive and install the operating system.

ThinkPad · #6 Post by **ThinkPad** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:06 pm

I tried to repair via windows setup, still says it cannot see the hard drive.
I think ill have to use another sata thinkpad to format and repartition the drive under windows

#7 Post by **ryengineer** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:00 pm

You need to switch HDD settings from SATA to Compatibility mode in the BIOS for Windows XP setup to see your HDD and install Windows.

ThinkPad · #8 Post by **ThinkPad** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:25 pm

ryengineer wrote:You need to switch HDD settings from SATA to Compatibility mode in the BIOS for Windows XP setup to see your HDD and install Windows.

Thanks!

Currently installing XP

Downgrading (upgrading) to XP

Downgrading (upgrading) to XP

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