Reverting from Vista to XP

[CRD2.0]

I upgraded XP to Vista and it didn't work. So I did a clean install, lost
everything that was on XP and spent the next couple of days trying to get
Vista to work (It would intermittently hang on everything from opening email,
explorer, to trying to get the maintenance program working, to finally not
even reading off the DVD/CD burner at all). So I tried to do a clean XP
re-install ( Windows XP logo certified OEM disk), by deleting and creating a
new partition. The hard-drive is a single WD 250 GB in SATA configuration.
The partition would only see it as a 130 GB drive. After reading all the
other posts I could find, I'm hoping that when SP1 gets installed - it will
recognize the harddrive as being 250 GB (but I can't get there yet). After
the partition is formatted, and the computer reboots, the Windows splash logo
comes up, then BSOD. Tried deleting/creating partition again (several times,
both quick and long methods). Did the "chkdsk" several times - no problems
found.
I don't have any floppy disks to be able to load any drivers when asked (can
they even be bought still?). I went into the BIOS, tried changing the order
of boot disks so it would read the CD before the C drive, but no change,
still crashed after the splash screen. Then on my latest attempt, went into
the recovery console - changed to c:\ directory and formated the c: drive.
Did a long partition format (still only 130 GB), system reboot and BSOD after
Windows' splash screen. I'm at wits end. Remember, I had WinXP on this exact
harddrive and hardware setup before trying out Vista. I'm no computer expert,
though I tried to follow several of the links posted on issues similar, but
where do I go from here? Plus I would like to get my money back on the Vista
upgrade disk - anyone else able to return their purchased upgrade disk after
being opened?

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I upgraded XP to Vista and it didn't work. So I did a clean install, lost
everything that was on XP and spent the next couple of days trying to get
Vista to work (It would intermittently hang on everything from opening
email,
explorer, to trying to get the maintenance program working, to finally not
even reading off the DVD/CD burner at all). So I tried to do a clean XP
re-install ( Windows XP logo certified OEM disk), by deleting and creating
a
new partition. The hard-drive is a single WD 250 GB in SATA configuration.
The partition would only see it as a 130 GB drive.

That means you have a pre-SP1 CD.

After reading all the

other posts I could find, I'm hoping that when SP1 gets installed - it
will
recognize the harddrive as being 250 GB (but I can't get there yet).

You need to stop and slipstream your old XP CD with SP2 to get past this, or
partition and format the drive on another XP system, and then install XP,
leaving the partition alone.

After
the partition is formatted, and the computer reboots, the Windows splash
logo
comes up, then BSOD.

And the BSOD message is...

Tried deleting/creating partition again (several times,
both quick and long methods). Did the "chkdsk" several times - no problems
found.
I don't have any floppy disks to be able to load any drivers when asked
(can
they even be bought still?). I went into the BIOS, tried changing the
order
of boot disks so it would read the CD before the C drive, but no change,
still crashed after the splash screen. Then on my latest attempt, went
into
the recovery console - changed to c:\ directory and formated the c: drive.
Did a long partition format (still only 130 GB), system reboot and BSOD
after
Windows' splash screen. I'm at wits end. Remember, I had WinXP on this
exact
harddrive and hardware setup before trying out Vista. I'm no computer
expert,
though I tried to follow several of the links posted on issues similar,
but
where do I go from here? Plus I would like to get my money back on the
Vista
upgrade disk - anyone else able to return their purchased upgrade disk
after
being opened?

If your system crashes on a basic XP install, it has little chance of
running Vista stably.

There are hardware issues you need to address. Listing the BSOD code and
message would be a good start.

HTH
-pk

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Vista honors a money back guarantee, as clearly stated in the EULA text.
Recognition of more than 137 gigs on a drive requires a "48 bit LBA"
setting in your BIOS setup for the drives.
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Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
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Mark L. Ferguson
..

 

[JS]

It sounds like your PC's BIOS does not support 48Bit LBA.
Check the vendor for availability of a BIOS update.
You will also need SP1 or SP2 for Windows XP to support drives larger than
137GB.

48Bit LBA Info:
http://www.48bitlba.com/winxp.htm

Also see MS article:
How to enable 48-bit Logical Block Addressing support for ATAPI disk drives
in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;303013&Product=winxp

JS

 

[CRD2.0]

That means you have a pre-SP1 CD.

After reading all the

You need to stop and slipstream your old XP CD with SP2 to get past this, or
partition and format the drive on another XP system, and then install XP,
leaving the partition alone.


And the BSOD message is...


If your system crashes on a basic XP install, it has little chance of
running Vista stably.

There are hardware issues you need to address. Listing the BSOD code and
message would be a good start.

HTH
-pk

the code is:
*** STOP: 0x0000007b (0xf789e63c, 0xc0000034m 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
I'll have to find out what "slipstream" is all about. I just don't
understand why I cannot re-install XP now, when I installed it in the first
place without too many issues?

Hardware:
ASUS p5n-sli mobo w/e6300 dual core intel
Nvidia 8800 GTS
2 - Kingston KVR 1 GB ram chips
LG dvd/cd burner w/lightscribe
WD 250 GB HDD in SATA config
Saitek usb keyboard
logitech optical mouse
Samsung 226BW widescreen LCD

everything else like printer, track-ir, joystick is unplugged

 

[JS]

From the look of your motherboard specs it looks like a very recent design,
so the BIOS should not be an issue.
You will however need to create a slipstreamed version of your original
Windows CD so that it incorporates
Windows XP SP2. Once you create this CD use it to do a fresh/clean install
of Windows.

For creating this CD I Use AutoStreamer, it easy to use and for the most
part self explanatory
Auto Streamer Download Site:
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1

Windows SP2 Download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&DisplayLang=en

How to get a free SP2 CD.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

Create a Slip Stream version of Windows XP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

JS

 

[nesredep egrob]

I upgraded XP to Vista and it didn't work. So I did a clean install, lost
everything that was on XP and spent the next couple of days trying to get
Vista to work (It would intermittently hang on everything from opening email,
explorer, to trying to get the maintenance program working, to finally not
even reading off the DVD/CD burner at all). So I tried to do a clean XP
re-install ( Windows XP logo certified OEM disk), by deleting and creating a
new partition. The hard-drive is a single WD 250 GB in SATA configuration.
The partition would only see it as a 130 GB drive. After reading all the
other posts I could find, I'm hoping that when SP1 gets installed - it will
recognize the harddrive as being 250 GB (but I can't get there yet). After
the partition is formatted, and the computer reboots, the Windows splash logo
comes up, then BSOD. Tried deleting/creating partition again (several times,
both quick and long methods). Did the "chkdsk" several times - no problems
found.
I don't have any floppy disks to be able to load any drivers when asked (can
they even be bought still?). I went into the BIOS, tried changing the order
of boot disks so it would read the CD before the C drive, but no change,
still crashed after the splash screen. Then on my latest attempt, went into
the recovery console - changed to c:\ directory and formated the c: drive.
Did a long partition format (still only 130 GB), system reboot and BSOD after
Windows' splash screen. I'm at wits end. Remember, I had WinXP on this exact
harddrive and hardware setup before trying out Vista. I'm no computer expert,
though I tried to follow several of the links posted on issues similar, but
where do I go from here? Plus I would like to get my money back on the Vista
upgrade disk - anyone else able to return their purchased upgrade disk after
being opened?

Re: the 130GB

Start/run/regedit
(if unsure export registry for safety)
select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
navigate to system/services/atapi/parameters or
system/currentcontrolset/services/atapi/parameters
right click for new
Select Dword name it EnableBigLba (take note of case)
set value to 1
end regedit
reboot

Even with XP - I have had to do it

Borge in sunny Perth, Australia

 

[CRD2.0]

I looked into the BIOS - it registers the hard drive as being a 250 GB -
does this not indicate that the mobo is not at fault (I tried to read the
manual to find out about this 48 BIT LBA thing, but there wasn't any info -
I'll read the link you provided (thanks)

 

[CRD2.0]

I think the only problem I'm going to face is the fact that the burner is in
the computer in question. Good thing I have the kid's computer to back me up.
I'll have to swap the burner over so I do this slipstream thing.

I'll keep all updated on progress.

 

[CRD2.0]

I successfully created the slipstream disk and WinXP installed on the first
try. I installed all the updates and such from MS and then onto the various
programs I use were put back in. Then I had the computer locking up again.

I think its due to the DVD/CD drive, though why it would load disks no
problem, then suddenly freeze every time thereafter is beyond me. Computer
seems ok as long as I don't try to access the DVD/CD drive. I thought I'd try
to install the IOLO - System Mechanic and see if there are Registry problems,
but I can't even access the drive without the computer locking up. I went to
the LG website, installed the updated firmware for it (ver 1.05) and reboot.
Still would freeze up. CTRL-ALT-DEL then end process, the whole windows task
bar and icons disappear (background stays, though) and I'd have to
soft-reboot. I tried removing the last couple of programs I installed
thinking they affected it but to no avail. I do have MCAFEE's Virus Scan Plus
installed - would this be a factor?

 

[JS]

Glad you solved the first problem.
Hope you "did not" install any Microsoft Hardware updates as they can
and do cause problems for a number of users.

Don't think it's McAfee, if you can try another DVD drive (RW or just Read)
and see what happens.
Remove the physical DVD and the drivers (check Device Manager) before
installing another unit.

JS

 

[Patrick Keenan]

the code is:
*** STOP: 0x0000007b (0xf789e63c, 0xc0000034m 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324103

Many of the possibilities won't apply since the drive was bare.

I'll have to find out what "slipstream" is all about.

Slipstreaming is merging service packs and updates with original install
files onto a new CD.

Download the full SP2 service pack, about 260 meg, and google
"autostreamer". With these, if your XP CD isn't an OEM type that prevents
slipstreaming, you will have a new XP CD with SP2 already applied in a short
time.

Pre-SP1 install CDs don't allow creation of partitions over 130 meg or so,
which would probably indicate that your disk was originally partitioned on a
non-SP1 system.

I would suggest doing the slipstream and starting the install over again,
deleting and recreating the partition to the full size.

I just don't
understand why I cannot re-install XP now, when I installed it in the
first
place without too many issues?

Hardware can fail over time. Heat, for example, can cause non-moving
silicon-based parts to fail.


HTH
-pk