Member Avatar for softdev

hi guys, i need help.

i'm trying to downgrade from vista to xp,...i insterted XP CD in the CD drive, after loading xp files it can't start installing rather it says it can't see any hard disk installed on my computer..

what might be the problem? any help on taking away vista?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by jbennet

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Short summary and practical next steps for — the XP installer not listing any drives usually means the text‑mode setup doesn't have a matching mass‑storage driver (the installer shows the “press F6” prompt to load OEM storage drivers). and were right to point at drivers/BIOS as the likely root cause. (learn.microsoft.com)

Fast checklist (try in order): reseat SATA/PATA cables and test the drive on another PC (basic hardware check, as suggested); if the BIOS offers a SATA mode switch, try Legacy/IDE/Compatibility and retry the XP CD; if you don’t have a floppy or the BIOS has no compatibility mode, make an XP installer that already contains the correct storage driver (slipstream it with nLite) or build a USB installer that can inject mass‑storage drivers (tools such as WinSetupFromUSB automate this). The usual slipstream workflow is: copy the XP CD to a working PC, obtain the vendor’s F6/text‑mode driver files (.INF/.SYS/TXTSETUP.OEM), add them in nLite under “Textmode drivers,” then create a bootable ISO and burn/test. (nliteos.com)

If the installer still can’t see the disk, check for partition/format issues: Vista might have left the disk as a dynamic disk or initialized it as GPT/UEFI, both of which can block a standard XP text‑mode install. From Vista use Disk Management to inspect the disk; if you must convert to MBR you’ll need to delete volumes (backup first) or use diskpart to clean/convert — e.g.:

diskpart
list disk
select disk 0    # replace 0 with the correct disk number
clean             # WARNING: deletes all data on that disk
convert mbr
exit

Follow Microsoft guidance before running these commands. (ftp.zx.net.nz)

Final cautions: back up everything before you format or run diskpart; download the exact chipset/storage drivers from the PC/motherboard vendor (you need the text‑mode/F6 files for XP). If the goal is simply better performance, remember ’s point: adding RAM or stripping Vista visual services can be a far simpler fix than chasing legacy XP support — XP is also long out of support and drivers for newer chipsets may be hard to find.

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Member Avatar for ibbeywoox

did you format the drive in which vista was installed?
remove all the wire connected to hard disk and replace them and try again

hope this works
good luck

Member Avatar for softdev

did you format the drive in which vista was installed?
remove all the wire connected to hard disk and replace them and try again

hope this works
good luck

it is still running Vista now..it is when i format it using XP disc when it says it can't see any hard drive installaed. when i boot it from hard drive, vista boot successfully...i wonder if it is XP which can't take out Vista!!

Member Avatar for ibbeywoox

how are you tryin to format using windows setup or boot the disc and use dos mode to format

Member Avatar for hughv

Why do you want to do this? Vista is a fine OS. If you're having problems with it, ask, and we'll help.
Have you found drivers for all your hardware? Some machines can't downgrade due to a lack of XP drivers.
What hardware do you have? XP doesn't recognize SATA drives, so you have to follow the "Press F6" prompt to install the drivers from a floppy, which you may not have.

Member Avatar for softdev

how are you tryin to format using windows setup

i insert a CD of XP setup and i boot from DVD/CD drive, then it'll load all OS files. when all files are loaded it will ask whether you want to repair or install a fresh copy of OS. then if i want to format i hit enter to install a fresh copy, before it install it format the drive...but my problem now is when i hit enter it says it can't not see any hard drive.

or boot the disc and use dos mode to format

how do i do this one?

Member Avatar for softdev

Why do you want to do this? Vista is a fine OS. If you're having problems with it, ask, and we'll help.

the problem is that it is running on a minimum requirements so it is too slow!..damn slow!

Member Avatar for ibbeywoox

assuming ur winxp disk a bootable disc and contains the file format.com
example ur cd-rom drive is D:\

type DIR D:\FORMAT /S
once found use the CD command to tat specific path and type FORMAT C:
that should do it but as hughv said if you hav sata drives then u will need drivers thus floppies

goodluck

Member Avatar for jbennet

no the problem is that XP does not have native SATA support

In your BIOS set the SATA to AHCI/IDE Emulation Mode or alternatively put your chipset drivers on a floppy and hit F6

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