I have a Dell Dimension E521 that came preloaded with Windows Vista
Home Premium 32-bit edition. I am trying to delete Windows Vista and
install Windows XP Professional. I have installed Windows XP Pro on
blank hard drives dozens of times and usually things go smoothly. When
I boot from the Windows XP CD, Windows Setup copies various files from
the CD to the hard drive. However, before it gets to the point where I
can partition the hard drive and continue the installation, the
computer hangs. Specifically, the computer hands at the "Windows
Setup" screen where it says "Setup is Starting Windows". I am using a
Dell XP Pro with SP2 CD. My Dimension E521 does have a floppy drive.
Does anyone know how to solve this problem so that I can continue
installing Windows XP?

Daniel

On 9/4/2007 7:20 AM On a whim, daniel.rascoe******.com pounded out on
the keyboard

> I have a Dell Dimension E521 that came preloaded with Windows Vista
> Home Premium 32-bit edition. I am trying to delete Windows Vista and
> install Windows XP Professional. I have installed Windows XP Pro on
> blank hard drives dozens of times and usually things go smoothly. When
> I boot from the Windows XP CD, Windows Setup copies various files from
> the CD to the hard drive. However, before it gets to the point where I
> can partition the hard drive and continue the installation, the
> computer hangs. Specifically, the computer hands at the "Windows
> Setup" screen where it says "Setup is Starting Windows". I am using a
> Dell XP Pro with SP2 CD. My Dimension E521 does have a floppy drive.
> Does anyone know how to solve this problem so that I can continue
> installing Windows XP?
>
> Daniel
>

Hi Daniel,

Not sure, but if a SATA drive is being used, you will need to load a
driver in the beginning of the install (there will be a message at the
bottom of the screen I believe that states press F6 (?) or similar to
load drivers).

If that isn't the case, report back.


--
Terry R.

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