Unable to install WinXP after failed nLite XpInstall

[Biz]

Hi there!

I know this is a bit OT here, because the actual problem is not nLite - but (maybe) caused by nLite.

I have a 2xWin7 dualboot system and wanted to add a WinXp install (a certain program I need runs on XP only).

Because I use(d) AHCI, I came across nLite, where I can integrate the needed drivers into a custom WinXp installation CD (don't have a floppy disk, so this is the only way to go I think).

In nLite, I added the needed AHCI drivers, alongside with some registry tweaking (like "Classic Background", "WinExplorer Detailed View", etc.), and also already inserted the Product Keys of my XP installation disk.

Ok, WinXp installation went fine until it came to inserting the product key - thankls nLite it already displayed the right keys, but Windows didn't accept it.

It also didn't help to click "Remind me later", because the same screen again showed up. (btw I don't have a crack cd or so, it's regular WinXp Home Edition)

After rebooting XP started from hard disk, same procedure, CD keys not accepted.

At this stage I got a bit worried about my Win7 installs, so I did a Win7 boot recovery via the Win7 install disk. Which didn't work - XP still booted.

Ok then, in BIOS, I changed AHCI to normal IDE. Repeated Win7 recovery, now both Win7 installs are okay again.

Bummer is : now I can't install XP at all, even without AHCI.

Installation stops with blinking cursor when the "Welcome to setup" screen should appear.

Don't know: maybe there still is some XP in the boot sector (of course I formatted the hd where XP was installed), and XP can't get along with it?

Maybe someone could give me a hint?

System:

Intel Core i7

Mainboard Intel DH55HC

Ram 4GB

Win7

HD1 OCZ-Vertex2

HD2-5 Samsung SATA

Video NVidia Geforce GT220

[Ponch]

Concerning your key problem, we know of ~3 causes for rejected keys;

-SP3 integrated with nLite under Vista or 7even (do not).

-that "working" key was actually never tried with original CD (maybe because original was automated) and poster admits it later.

-key was blacklisted by Service Pack.

(of course I formatted the hd where XP was installed)

Did you format the partition or wipe the disk ? (Are we talking more physical disks?)

[Biz]

thanks for the response,

-that "working" key was actually never tried with original CD (maybe because original was automated) and poster admits it later

actually I used this XP installation disc five or six times, without any hassle.

Did you format the partition or wipe the disk ?

Just formatted it; I wiped it now, but to no avail.

Maybe formatting the whole disk will help.

Maybe after physically disconnecting the other HDDs.

Will try that after relocating data of the other two partitions on that HDD.

Edited November 9, 2011 by Biz

[Ponch]

Can you just delete the (all) partition(s) on 2nd drive from within Windows 7 and create a new one (from there or from your XP disc) ?

Anyway you have to make that CD again as you can't skip the unattended key step.

[Biz]

thanks for your replies.

I think I give up - I've done all possible tweaks so far, without avail.

-deleted partitions, wiped empty hdd, created a new partition

-in Bios, deactivated USB, AHCI, cpu multiprocessing

-with nLite, created installations cds with and without AHCI, audio and VGA drivers

-checked memory (diagnostics tool in Win7 multiboot startup)

-physically disconnected all drives except dvd/cd and drive where xp should be installed

-removed 2 of 4 GB installed ram

always with same result: xp installation stops with blinking cursor.

mysterious thing is that winXP install went fine (until registration key input) the first time I tried.

Any thoughts?

[Ponch]

At what point does it stop ? Do you get the text part (choice of partitions on which to install ) ? Or does it not start at all ?

[Biz]

it stops after loading drivers, right before you have to choose on which partition xp should be installed.

edit:

finally I made it - by buying & installing a new XpPro (rather cheap these days, ~ 20 €).

Installation went w/o problems. But: I had to revert to IDE, because my Intel DH55HC mobo has *no* floppy connectors.

Don't know what exactly the problem was though -

Edited November 16, 2011 by Biz