Want to format new Dell Inspiron 1520 to replace Vista with Xp, but problem with hdd!

S

Steaky

New Member
Hey gang,

I just got a new Dell Inspiron 1520 with Vista pre-installed. I'm not happy with Vista, so I would like to replace it with XP. I have a Windows XP pro SP2 version. I went into bios set up and set it so that it detects the CD drive first. I restarted the computer with the Windows cd inside, entered in the windows set up, selected the option to install a fresh version of windows, and the next screen I got was this:

Set up did not find any hard disk drive installed in your computer.

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

Setup cannot continue. To quit setup, press F3.


Anyone know how I can fix this? Everything on this inspiron works great, I just want to replace the operating system.

Cheers
 
First how about a Welcome to the Computer Forum! http://www.computerforum.com/70672-official-welcome-thread.html along with the reminder given to new members to review the http://www.computerforum.com/52038-forum-rules.html

You will have two immediate problems to contend with there besides voiding the warranty on the new system. The first would be the likelihood of that hard drive being a sata type not ide where a driver floppy will be needed in order for the XP installer to properly detecr the drive.

The second will be the obvious need for a drive partitioning tool or drive manufacturer's drive tool to first remove the Vista installation off first. The XP installer will simply recieve the "cannot proceed - newer version" error and fail to delete Vista. When using an XP SP1 disk for trying to simply delete the SP2 installation on one machine that could be seen there with the same version of Windows. Partition Magic, the Gnome Partition Editor(GParted live -free Linux drive tool), or another partitioning software or drive utlity for WD, Seagate, or another make will have to first be used to clean Vista off.
 
Thanks for the reply!

1. What if I don't have a floppy drive installed on my computer? Can use a usb key or a cd to install the sata driver? And where can I find the driver for my hdd?

2. Are you saying I have to use a partition tool to format my computer, install my hdd driver, and then install a fresh version of win xp?
 
The specifications for that show this as a laptop not a desktop with a 5400rom ide drive as seen at http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell-inspiron-1520/4507-3121_7-32471366.html?tag=sub

A simple reformat of the drive itself will provide a clean NTFS primary ready for use where you simply need to download and install the needed XP compatible drivers by the looks of things there. You would still be voiding the service warrenty unless you have the Dell dealer revert it to XP for you.
 
If I format and install a new os, would Dell even know I've done it? I can just reinstall Vista if I need to send it back for repair or whatever. Why would they even give you a vista cd if you can't use it?
 
If the recovery files stored on the drive are lost the system recovery disks would be unable to restore Vista to the factory condition. Each set of OS/software disks are designated for one machine. These disks are normally recovery and not full install versions where you can simply redo everything and no one will know otherwise. sorry.

You are better off paying the dealer to have XP put on it and have a valid warranty remain intact. In fact Dell supposedly has the option to choose what OS you want on a new system you order from them. That would be one thing to look into there.
 
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