So i got my mom a new laptop, and much as i hated it, i had to get it with vista coz that's the only option dell offered. For the info, i got a Dell Studio 15 55.
Hardware Config -
Intel Core2 Duo 2.0 ghz T6400
4 Gig RAM
512 MB ATi Radeon HD 4570
Some 320 Gig SATA HDD thingy
Anyways, two days of using it and im so fed up i tore half of my hair out. There's a new error everywhere.
I wanted to go back to using XP, but wait.... VISTA SHOWS UP ITS FACE !
It wont let me install it.
I tried running a clean installation of XP but i get the BSOD as soon as the setup is done loading all the files and drivers.
Please tell me a way to remove everything on my laptop and install XP !!!
P.S - I haven't got anything on the new laptop yet so im not afraid of losing any data. I have the Vista Re-installation and recovery disk with me in case things go wrong, and i've slipstreamed the SATA drivers onto my hard drive.
Please, for the love of god help me get this thing out !
I never understood why computer manufacturers and distributors have decided that they're going to crap on all their claims of quality by selling machines with vista installed.
It's like having a brand new dodge viper with a fricken 2 banger kia engine...
I have a somewhat more complicated solution, which depends on one condition.
Can you return the laptop and get what you paid back?
If you can, do it.
Then, buy a laptop with the same configuration again, just without an OS, that is, a laptop with "Free DOS". Don't worry, everyone offers such computers.
Then, after you get it, either buy a legal copy of Windows XP or download it from somewhere, that's on your conscience not mine, and install it.
In the case that you can't do this, there's a solution too, I think at least.
Am not too sure.
I heard that such computers get some files written on the "boot" parts of their hard disks(I have no idea what this means) and in their BIOS.
To restart the BIOS, simply open your laptop, find your motherboard, and on it a small round silverey metal thingy which is it's battery.
Just remove it, and then put it back there again.
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I am not very skilled in things like this, but there is a Dell XPS in the same room, whiches Vista held its part for about 2 hours... It now runs on Ubuntu and XP is virtualised in there, but for XP only thing:
My brother adviced something about switching the disks into "compatible mode" in bios, that might help.
Anyway, try to google your problem, there is a high possibility someone had to deal with this before you.
You'll have to do a complete reformat of your computer to install a new OS. But with Vista, disable the UAC (I think that's what it's called?) and most of your headaches should disappear.
UAC is what turns Vista into a clingy teenage girl. Turning it off means that you'll actually be able to try on those jeans without being asked if you're sure about the fit.
Resetting your BIOS via the battery trick wont help, without flashing it to an alternative it will be the same. Likewise, flashing your BIOS is iladvised if you're unfamiliar with your inner geek.
XP supports SATA within recent revision so there should be no need to switch to IDE compatinility mode. Though it can't hurt to try and see.
At the beginning of your HDD sectors will be a recovery partition, almost all major OEM and major market suppliers include this as a precaution incase you go and do what can only be described as normal. Also known as messing up, this however can cause issues in circumstances like this.
Your best chance of getting things nice and pretty in that yellow polkadot sundress is to format the entire HDD and then do a fresh installation of XP. This doesn't come without issue though, you will need to match your accesories to the outfit.
Most Vista exlcusive hardware does not have corresponding XP driver packages installed, and this is a major issue. However the popularity major brands and ingenuity of people can solve this. Likelyhood is that the drivers do exist, but you will need to hunt and scavenge them. In some cases even making due with hacked drivers compiled by the end user.
Google your model with keywords like <computer> + XP or <computer> + XP + installation, or <computer> + XP + drivers. Try as many iterations as you can think of until you have either exhausted your mind, or found waht you are looking for.
Hey Turkish.
The drivers are not a problem. The problems lies in the fact that im not able to do a clean install of XP on my laptop.
Now i've read in loads of places that im to edit the HDD mode in my BIOS settings, but i've got a phoenix BIOS and that makes it impossible to change the BIOS settings (atleast as far as my knowledge goes)
So, can anyone tell me how to edit the BIOS on a dell studio 1555 ??
And as for the matter of the drivers, chances are they will be an issue for you unless Dell offers an XP release of your hardware in a different locale.
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