XP won't install
 

Lenovo laptop supplied some time ago with SATA HDD running Vista. Fully reformatted ready to accept XP instead but XP installation failed towards the end of the process every time tried. (No idea of error message as I am relaying this second hand). HDD however could be used perfectly fine if hooked up to a machine that uses another HDD to run the o/s. New HDD purchased on which XP installed easy peasy first time using the same legit source, and laptop has been in use with it ever since.

A wish now exists however to use the HDD supplied with the Lenovo to replace a failed one in another machine. To do this requires that it be loaded with XP from the disk supplied with the laptop whose disk has died, but the same installation failure occurs.


Ideas please?
Likely something with the boot sector?


TVM,
XV

I believe there can be problems with a hard drive that has been partitioned in Vista when you try to install XP.
You may need to repartition using XP as I think the systems are different.

How to partition and format a hard disk by using Windows XP Setup program

Hi,

If you have problems I suggest you to use the free Killdisk.
This software will format your hard disk to a factory state...
So you are sure nothing from other OS (as master boot sectors .. etc..) stay behind.
I used it (for a other reason ... very pesky virus infection ..) and this work great Just be sure to follow instruction how to make the Killdisk boot disk and how use it ...
Active@ Kill Disk Hard Drive Eraser. Low Level Format.

TVM, BOAC and jcjeant. Much appreciated. I will share both options with the laptop owner.