compaq presario cq56 and xp

[supafly1]

Hi there guys, i have a compaq presario cq56 and have to install windows xp onto it as all my diagnostic software requires xp. but when i do install it gets as far as drivers install and give an error and restarts, one forum said i need to change bios settings for hdd but the bios does not have the option,

Many thanks

 

[sajunky]

Correct. One solution is to set Serial ATA controller to compatibility mode in BIOS. If this option is not available, you should integrate chipset and SATA drivers in Windows installation CD. Nlite utility will do it.

It looks like there are two versions of this notebook, with AMD chipset and Intel. Find it out and use he right one. You have to download drivers directly from chipset manufacturer Web site, as HP supports only Windows 7.

Download Hiren's boot CD. It is based on XP and has Intel AHCI drivers integrated. You can boot from Hren's CD and see whether your utilities can run from the hard drive in portable environment.

 

[supafly1]

yes bios does not have that facility. i think its the intel version. ok i will look for drivers and see how to use nlite, thank you so much.

 

[supafly1]

herins does run as i used it to format my drive

 

[sajunky]

In such case you will be successful with nlite, just get right drivers. You need to integrate only chipset drivers and SATA drivers (in this order). Any other drivers can be added after successful Windows installation.

I made XP SP3 CD with manual integration (without nlite) of Intel SATA AHCI drivers for similar Compaq laptops, it works on NC6720s, NC6730s. It also has HP specific OEMBIOS files for automatic Windows activation. If you are in JHB, PM you can pick it up.

 

[cpu.]

I also have a HP Compaq laptop and had to slipstream the drivers on a XP installation CD. Very easy process.

 

[supafly1]

ok thanks so much, i will try it this week, really hope i come right.
Unfortunately im in Durban. that really would have made my life so easy sajunky.

 

[ProfA]

Are you installing from USB or CD?

 

[supafly1]

i can do it either way, think usb will be easier though.

 

[ProfA]

i can do it either way, think usb will be easier though.

When you get the error, is it when you try to install via USB or CD????

 

[sajunky]

i can do it either way, think usb will be easier though.

CD is much easier, as it always work. XP installation has no support for booting from USB except some (few) USB floppy drives. Booting XP install from USB require applying tricks and these are dependent on the combination of BIOS support and how USB stick is formatted. I tried many options which led to crashes on 1st, 2nd or 3rd reboot.

 

[supafly1]

ok will do it from cd. i used the cd when it asked for the drivers but only has a floppy disk not usb.

 

[supafly1]

ok thanks all, got it working, so up and running now.