Install XP on 44GB partition of Thinkpad Edge 15 (windows 7 pre-installed)

[nailimexam]

Hi,

I would like to install windows XP on the 44gb partition I made, and have a dual boot system.

But I am having trouble installing Windows XP (SP2).

At first, I just got a blue screen after the disk attempted loading files. Then, I slipstreamed the SATA driver for XP for the EDGE 15 onto the XP installation Disk (There were three .inf files in the driver folder, I only slipstreamed the first one in the "{app}" folder).

This seemed to get me past the problem. I was able to format the 44GB partition the disk began installing. Then the computer restarted to finish the installation.

However, during the XP installation, I got a hang up at 33mins. After repeated tries, I get this hang up every time.

I tried disabling as many unnecessary devices in the Bios as I could, but I still get the same hang up.

I tried to find the problem by opening the command prompt and typing setupapi.log (in D:\Windows, it wouldn't let me get into C: or F: (the 44gb partition))

However, the last entry in the log was "completed successfully". (The guide I followed using "setupapi.log" was for the 34 min hang up. Since mine is 33min maybe its a completely different problem).

Should I try to slipstream all the drivers onto XP installation disk?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

[ColonelONeill]

Try setting SATA to Compatibility mode in BIOS. This should let you install it without needing to slipstream the SATA driver.

After installing XP, install the Rapid Storage Technology driver, enable AHCI in BIOS, and reboot into XP for maximum performance.

[nailimexam]

Thank you.

When I set Sata to Compatability mode I get a blue screen. I get the windows Xp logo with the colored bar below it, then it crashes to a blue screen.

Any way around that?

Also, assuming I am able to get it to work with comp mode, will the Rapid Storage Technology driver allow me to enable AHCI succedfully? I read somewhere that it was difficult to re-enable AHCI after installing in Comp mode.

Again, thanks for your help

[nailimexam]

While in compatibility mode, I tried the xp boot cd again. This time, at the screen where it says "press F6 to install drivers" I pressed F5 and changed the HAL to "Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC"

After changing the HAL, I did not gert the blue screen. However, now setup gets stuck at "Setup is Starting Windows"

[ColonelONeill]

I'd try it again without forcing a HAL choice. Windows Setup will automatically detect the appropriate HAL (assuming you didn't change it in nLite).

[nailimexam]

I didn't change it in nlite,

I've tried about 6 times w/ compatability and w/o forcing HAL. Everytime I get a blue screen with teo errors lited at the bottom that begin with "acpi,,,,,,,"

[ColonelONeill]

Can you try using an unmodified XP disc?