First, did you run the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor to check your hardware to
be sure it is compatible with XP? It will also check your software, if any
is installed on the PC. You can get a free copy from Microsoft, or there
may be a copy on the XP CD. However, as I recall it is intended to run from
within a operating version of Windfows (98, ME, 2000, mabe 95 or NT).
If you can not run the Advisor, have you checked that your PC meets the
minimum requirements? Read the XP box, or search MS for detailed info.
Next, are you attempting a clean install, meaning a format of the disk or at
least the XP partiion? Or, are you attempting an upgrade installation? In
a clean install, it does not matter what you used to have on the disk, since
it is erased. In an upgrade it might.
As for drivers, XP comes with a bunch of drivers for most common devices
that existed when it was originally released. It may not have drivers for
newer devices, but usually it loads some generic driver that works
good-enough, until you can install a better one.
However, be aware that XP does not have default drivers for SCSI, RAID, or
SATA hard drives. Those must be manually applied early in the XP
installation process via hitting F6. XP will then ask for the drivers
somewhat later in the process. These drivers must be on a floppy, not on a
CD, ZIP, pen drive, etc.
Do you have any third-party boot loader, such as for running multiple
operating systems? If so, XP may not like it. Try the help group for that
boot loader.
