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installing windows Xp on a Laptop?

serlex

n00b
Joined
Sep 27, 2004
Messages
9
i want to format my laptop and install windows XP again.

is formating and installing any diffrent to normal PC? did a search in google, and some people had problems.

thanks
 
..what laptop? I had major problems installing WinXP on my VAIO - mainly because I don't have a Sony PCMCIA cd-rom drive and I couldn't boot off a cd drive I have.. but if you have an integrated cd drive you're all good (just make sure you actually can boot off the cd drive - I don't know why you shouldn't but just to make sure..) - I did some reinstalls on Compaqs, HPs without a problem..
 
its a sony vaio, it has a cd rom. this was second hand laptop, where it cam with no cds.

i was going to use a Home Edition XP, or can i use a recovery Disk.
 
as long as it is set to boot up off of the CD it should not be any different. Just make sure your copy of XP hasnt been installed on any other PC as it can only be registered on one PC. Also if you want the actualy recover discs you can call and order them directly from sony, they are normally about 15 bux or so.
 
The only concern I would have beyond what is mentioned above, is drivers. Laptop drivers can be a pain the ass to locate.
 
I don't have an integrated CD-ROM on my dell but it has a bay drive. I have never had any problems with installing XP. Just make sure you go in to the bios and set the boot order so that the CD is first.

As far as drivers are concerned, my wife's dell required from drivers for the built in ethernet but after installing XP, I used the driver cd that came with it. If you don't have this, download the drivers before hand, copy them to a CD, and then reinstall.

In short, I don't see why you would have any problem at all installing XP on the laptop.
 
motithejrt said:
In short, I don't see why you would have any problem at all installing XP on the laptop.

I do....in the fact that this question had to be asked. People who ask questions like this, usually don't possess the knowledge to install an OS by themselves. I'm not making this distinction about the O.P., I'm just pulling it from past experience.

It's like they say about some luxury car prices. If you have to ask, you can't afford it.
 
djnes said:
I do....in the fact that this question had to be asked. People who ask questions like this, usually don't possess the knowledge to install an OS by themselves. I'm not making this distinction about the O.P., I'm just pulling it from past experience.

It's like they say about some luxury car prices. If you have to ask, you can't afford it.
good point
 
In general, laptops aren't much different than desktops - it's just a matter of finding drivers.

Vaios, OTOH, are flaming POSes. If the machine didn't ship running XP, you're going to have trouble finding the drivers (if you can find them at all). Even if it did ship XP, it's difficult to find the right drivers sometimes.

All I can do is wish you luck.
 
I fail to understand what you guys are talking about. I have reformated and installed XP on about 20 different laptops... gateways, dells, sonys, toshibas, compaqs, no names, you name it. Never once have I ever had a problem... driver issues aside, those can be solved easily by downloading them off the web.

Don't tell me I've just been "lucky"

No need to scare the guy.
 
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