The Acer Guy Forum » Problem corner
Can't install XP on 5920 despite slipstreaming drivers etc
(12 posts)-
Posted by: axg20202
MemberHi,
I have a 5920 (model plate on bottom says ZD1). Have tried everything but the XP installation always stalls after loading all the setup drivers ("Setup is starting windows"). The screen where the installation destination drive is selected never appears. It must be because the HDD controller isn't running properly because of a driver issue. I have tried slipstreaming SATA drivers and chipset drivers to no avail - always the same result. (I have IDE mode set in the BIOS; have tried ACHI too) I have no USB floppy drive, so nLite is my only route - maybe I have the wrong drivers or am integrating them incorrectly.
I know the machine works because I installed a 'test' copy of XP on the same drive using a different PC, inserted the drive into the 5920 and Windows begins to boot properly from it (it obviously crashes half way through because XP was installed on a completely different machine with different hardware, but it shows that it works). Can someone help? This is driving me mad.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Posted by: axg20202
Member...I should note that the install hangs before I can even select a partition to install onto (this is not the classic '34 minute hang'). The installation stalls immediately after the basic generic drivers have been loaded, just as the system looks for drives to install to. It's as though the system isn't recognising the hard drive, but strangely there is no message along the lines of 'no hard disk found', which is what I get if I try to install after removing the drive. The drive is definitely in working order. Some have noted that setting to IDE in the BIOS means no need for additional drivers - this also does not work, same problem.
The drive is properly recognised in BIOS and system can boot an OS from it if a test OS is preinstalled on it (as per my post above).
If you can help I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Posted by: morrislee
Moderatoroops!!! sorry, I meant update to the latest BIOS, you can find it here http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_5920.html
use the winflash app in the achieved file you downloaded.
when it finishes, reboot, then when you see the big acer logo on startup, press F2 to go to the BIOS settings, look for AHCI, change it to IDE, save all settings then exit.
After all that, you are golden for XP installation(you can just use any version of XP, no need to slipstream any drivers.)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Posted by: axg20202
MemberIt's definitely not a slipstreaming/nLite issue - I get the same problem with the original XP CD and it makes no difference which mode, IDE or AHCI, the BIOS is set to. I have also tried loading drivers using a USB floppy drive and that does nothing to help. I'm beginning to suspect a motherboard fault. Any other ideas before I give up on it?
Thanks.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Posted by: CptFuzzy
MemberI have a similar problem with a 2920Z. The Vista install goes to BSOD during pre-install and XP stalls in the pre-install session at "starting windows..."
However... Ubuntu linux installed just fine. all the hardware seems to work. (and XP seems to work fine in a VM)
It's interesting that the BIOS version it came with is v1.14 and the website says the latest version is 1.13 . not sure why that is... but i'm thinking it has a buggy beta bios or something. (say that 3 times fast)
I still have to try to get XP installed <sigh>, so please post any suggestions.
Posted 2 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.