Almost every computer that has Vista on it can install XP. I have never had a problem installing XP on a Vista computer, but I delete all partitions before I do it. Therefore, that Vista recovery partition is no longer there.

Linux is the way to go. It downloads porn faster. http://www.vgchartz.com/forum/thread.php?id=57029&page=1

Yeah, almost any. Not all. Mine will not. I may be a noob at Linux, but I know my PCs otherwise, and I damn well know my Windows. Like I already said; my mobo doesn't like XP. It has nothing to do with the HDD, otherwise swapping HDDs would fix it.

Win2k wouldn't install either. Gave up at the exact same point.

what happens when you try to install XP?

...


It gives me a STOP error, claiming I have a virus on my HDD (I'm not even going to bother with the precise error, because it's pointless and I've already researched it and found it's impossible to fix).

Even when I use a clean HDD.

I said three times now - it won't install. Period. It's my motherboard - probably the BIOS tied to it. It doesn't accept the install for some reason. It's probably something HP did with it (likely on accident, knowing HP) that made it so it won't run the program somehow. It just... doesn't like it.

It gives the same error when I try installing 2k. Probably doesn't give that error for Linux because Linux is way different, and doesn't give that error for Win7 because it's only slightly different.

The first thing I would think of is turning off AHCI. Though the computer usually cannot detect the HDD if that is the problem.

Vista and Windows 7 install disks come with drivers for AHCI. Windows 2000 and XP do not. That is why AHCI would make a difference. On computers that are made for Vista, they usually have AHCI turned on by default.

How is the Windows install claiming you have a virus?

Try formatting the HDD with a Live Linux CD and then installing XP.

He is talking about a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). A BSOD happens when there is an error so serious the system cannot continue. These types of errors can happen because of bad video, RAM, drivers, viruses, bad HDD, solar flares, disturbances in the force, and bad motherboard. No matter what the cause is, it tells you to reverse any hardware changes and check for viruses.

To summarize, no matter what the cause of the BSOD, it will tell you to check for viruses.

Pretty much what Senlis just said.

Anyways, changing AHCI to RAID or IDE doesn't help the matter. Actually, I think it got slightly further in installation and started rewriting my boot table. Still gave me the same error, but now I get a GRUB error 17, and I can't boot up Vista or XP to fix it.

Tried finding a fix I could do from an Ibex live disc, but that was a mess to hunt for. Rather, I'm taking the opportunity to completely wipe the HDD and go with Vista Premium*.

*has to be Vista if I'm doing Windows because there are no non-Vista compatible drivers for my onboard wireless.

that sucks. I would recommend upgrading to Windows 7 when it comes out.