Does not install XP, installs Vista or linux

[MrB]

We have a Dell GX620 if we Ghost an image onto it, it does not work.

It will not allow us to install Windows XP

But it does allow us to install Vista or linux.

We need it to run XP.

We have used a H/D from another Dell already imaged and running, same problem, changed memory, same problem.

 

Any Ideas?

[Lee_K_81]

Does the XP CD/image have SP2 on it? If not you may need to slipstream a SP2 CD.

 

I've heard of various problems of XP SP1 giving BSOD on newer machines during installation or booting.

[Sirbendy]

What happens if you try to ghost or install XP?

 

I used to get all sorts of errors with our motley Dell set. I ended up "pre sysprep" setting the image base back to "standard PC" hal (no ACPI), installing no drivers except for the standard XP ones, and using the BMSD option in sysprep..not had any issue since.

 

That said, I'm going to ghost a GX110 in a sec, as the Library is empty and I'm itching to deploy the latest "quick 'n' tiny" build image to an old clunker to see what it does.

[GlennT]

We had this problem.

You need to set the disk to PATA in the bios [from what I remember?]

[Guest Guest]

Yes my first guess would be SATA driver issues.

 

Make a slipstreamed CD with Autoimage and driverpacks.net.

[Bestbett]

You may also try updating the bios, I heard there was a small number of mboards produced during vistas initial launch that would not allow XP to be installed as the main OS. Enough rumbling occurred that they were all "fixed" in bios to allow XP. I thought it was an anti-ms rumor but maybe worth a shot.

[MrB]

The Dell has been running XP now for 2 years.

 

It has recently been PAT tested?

 

Now it will not allow you to install XP SP2 from disk (tried several disks) it hangs on Setup is starting Windows.

 

Vista will install perfectly

 

linux will also install.

 

We have changed H/D, H/D cable, and memory with another Dell from the same batch that we purchased.

 

[Bestbett]

When you try the pre-imaged XP in another machine HD. What do you get, where exactly does it hang?

 

But if you put in a disk with pre-image of vista it's fine?

 

Also ensure no other bootable devices in and then try.. ie unplug CD, floppy and any usb devives from MB and just go with HD. If the HD works this way in another GX620 but not this one then you have an issue in the core. Run Dell 32 bit diagnostics CD on express test?

[MrB]

When you try the pre-imaged XP in another machine HD. What do you get, where exactly does it hang?

 

But if you put in a disk with pre-image of vista it's fine?

 

Also ensure no other bootable devices in and then try.. ie unplug CD, floppy and any usb devives from MB and just go with HD. If the HD works this way in another GX620 but not this one then you have an issue in the core. Run Dell 32 bit diagnostics CD on express test?

 

It get to the windows has not closed down correctly, last known good configuration, safe mode, safe mode with network..........

 

It will not go in safe mode and if you select last known good config, you get a blank screen

Edited January 16, 2008 by MrB

[djones]

It will not go in safe mode

 

Can you provide a bit more info here? Where does it stop e.g. blank screen, agp440.sys, mup.sys, etc?

 

This may help to narrow things down a bit more.

 

Dave.

[MrB]

It reaches Mup.sys...............

[MrB]

When Safe Mode selected if hangs at mup.sys

[strawberry]

might not work, but do you have an xp sp1 disk? might be worth trying that.

 

hanging at Mup is usually a hardware fault, most likely to be drivers if the system worked before.