steveboy

I figured it out in a totally inexplicable way, but maybe the knowledge will benefit others with the same problem. My laptop has 2 2GB RAM sticks. Something about the way it was hanging on boot reminded me of previous RAM issues I've had on other PCs. I had a feeling the install wasn't recognizing the RAM, or was conflicting with it somehow. So on a hunch I yanked the RAM and reinstalled a 1 GB stick. Bingo: the install completed! I'm installing mfgr drivers now and will see if I can reinstall the 4GB RAM after XP is in and updated. Meantime, though, maybe this will help someone else. Thank you for your help, Fernando! --steve

I tried an install with just the Intel SATA driver. Got a BSOD on the first reboot, but after that it went to the exactly the same pattern as before: boot XP, "startup is restarting your computer," black screen. I downloaded the Intel PNP files from your link in your terrific tutorial, but when I tried to open it I get the message "This computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installation of the software." I will try on another computer and see if I can just copy over th extracted files.

I'll do just that and let you know -- thank you again! --steve

Howdy, new member here. I think it's amazing the effort people here go to to help others with problems -- I hope I'm as useful in my own areas of expertise. Unfortunately, installing an OS isn't one of them. I've read this entire thread looking for info that will fix my install problem, but haven't been able to find it. I just bought a used Acer Aspire 9800 laptop running Vista Ultimate. I need XP Pro for its reliability using high-end music apps, so I used Nlite to put together a slipstream disc incorporating the drivers from the Acer driver disk as well. I have been able to get the install to read the hard drives, format, and begin installation, but no matter what I do, the install hangs at the first reboot -- not even a BSOD, just black screen. I made sure I used the Intel 8280GHM controller drivers the mobo uses. I have no options in BIOS regarding SATA drives (disabling AHCI, for instance); the Phoenix BIOS is very rudimentary and doesn't allow much user flexibility (can someone explain why I can buy a desktop and be allowed to tinker with it as if it is truly mine, but laptops are sold as if they really still belong to the manufacturer). Because the install hangs at the same point every time, I suspect that there is a key driver missing, or an element in the drive recognition process I'm overlooking, but I can't figure out what it might be. I'm operating at about the edge of my knowledge and ability here. I'm getting desperate because I just found out the Vista image disks I made aren't bootable (if they require a working Vista to restore my Vista, I'm not sure what use they are), and the OEM Vista install disk that came with the laptop is a nonbootable upgrade. So now I don't have much choice about XP if I want this thing to be anything but a very large doorstop. Any help is enormously appreciated, and many thanks in advance! --steve