Format and XP Reinstall

here you go.

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=151385

if you're going to use partition magic to make a new partition to install windows.

run "chkdsk /f" reboot, then partition, otherwise it will not work.

good luck, i'll be here to help you with any questions.

Search some of my posts from about a month or two ago... posted a bunch of info. Short answer is you better have an external floppy drive around... or fiqure out how to use nlite to make a slipstreamed XP install disc. The reason I say that is "Your" version of XP may not have the "proper" Sata drivers. I had several " custom" XP install discs that would NOT install properly..Stupid windows would "see" the SATA drivers (press F6 at start of install.... Then would "ask" for the SAME drivers later on in the install after the hd had been wiped CLEAN... and the installer was so stupid I couldn't point it to the drivers again... It aborting...GRRRRRRRR) Supposedly you can slipstream the needed drivers, creating a "custom" XP install disc with Nlite... Can't give you details on that.... haven't got around to fiquring out Nlite)... Google for info on Nlite... Here's a site which may prove helpful: http://radified.com/Articles/laptop.htm Hunt around on it and they also address SATA issues.... PS: I ended up using a XP PRO, SP2 CD install disc from HP, installed no problem from the CD... (I bet they're already slipstreamed the proper drivers... either that or the "custom" (created by someone else) XP installs I was trying to use had something "stripped" out of them... About drove me crazy... so I opted to use the XP PRO, SP2 from HP... installed very smoothly, then I installed the HP SP's once the OS was "up". Install QP??? Look in the QP thread... Short version is you Delete all partitions after the 1st primary.. leave FREE, unformated SPACE (at least 1024mb)... Install QP.... then add back, create other partitions if needed.

Yes, but make a copy of the C:\\SwSetup folder first.

To get QP to work again after the format you will probally have to run the re-installer...

Does the SATA problem exist with Windows XP Media Center Edition or does it come with the drivers?

If the disc came from HP, it should contain the SATA drivers..

If not... try the below, or use Nlite to slipstream (intergrate) the needed Sata drivers into the install disc.

http://www.maximumpc.com/2005/01/how_to_slipstre.html

Q1. Need any additional external drives (too bad I aint got none:/) - Maybe...If your install disc has the needed SATA drivers on it already and has them references properly... One way to check would be to search the XP install disc you have for the files referenced on this page, http://www.maximumpc.com/2005/01/how_to_slipstre.html inserting the name of the HP sata driver(s) in the search of course! Download the SATA drivers from HP, extract, then look for references to those files Q2. Need to download any SATA drivers (are there any on the WinXP SP2 Pro disc?) You need to download them, see if they are in the C:SwSetup folder Q3. What do I need to leave if I dont want to interfere with that QuickPlay software (is it possible to leave it alone (no formatting of that 1024 MB partition) and be able to use it without reinstalling it after new WinXP is installed?).... You can re-install windows, leave partiton alone... to get QP to work right afterwords you have to run the installer in the C:SwSetup folder. (I think HP now has this on their site for download) This re-keys QP so it will work properly in Windows. If you don't delete ANY partitions, keep everything the same QP should work from a cold boot (i.e pressing the QPO button to lanch QP) You may also have to installl the QP launch buttons... again in the SwSetup folder /download from HP. Q4. What is in the swsetup folder ? About 3 gig of stuff, drivers apps, bloatware el-crap-ola HP installs... Just burn the files to DVD.... Most if not All of the drivers for the hardware should be "downloadable" from HP but I've noticed on "new" models that it takes HP several months to get the drivers posted. It's better to "have" them than to find out the file(s) you need are NOT downloadable via HP after you've formated the drive... Again: 1: Backup folders/files of the SwSetup directory. 2: Download all Service packs (drivers) from HP and SATA drivers for the hard drive (if your machine uses a SATA drive). Note that some of the files in the service packs you download will be the same as those in the SwSetup folder, then again they may be a "newer" version. 2a: If you have a SATA had you press F6 at the first part of the install if your using a "generic" (read that as non-HP supplied OS install disc) 3: On the hard drive.... DELETE all partitions except for the 1st primary partition that the OS will reside on. You can Delete that too, and recreate during the XP install if you prefer... The thing is the QuickPlay V 2.0 installer (from what I've read in the QuickPlay thread) will ONLY install IF there is NOTHING after the FIRST primary partition. One thing I would recommend is BUYING an external hard drive... Search my posts for Apricron EZ-BUS-DT /DTC/DTS -KIT. It's bundled with a OEM copy of Acronis True Image server called Apricorn Ez-GIG-II that allows you to image your had BEFORE you do anything, if case you need to restore anything... DT -KIT... USB only = http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8 DTC-KIT USB /FIREWIRE = http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8 Review of DTC in above link.... If the info helps you, take a moment to leave a comment... Ditto on this info... If any of this info helps anyone, take a monent to click the little icon below my user name that says "Add to WeAreNotAlone's Reputation"... Not that I'm getting paid, but it would be nice to know the info has been of help...

Before you do anything major.....

I'd hunt down a copy of Acronis True Image, or Ghost 2003v8.3, Or Ghost, the corporate version, 2005 (Updated version of Ghost 2003 v8.30 and burn a backup of anything you'd like to restore back to factory.

(Side benefit is with Acronis True Image you can make your OWN "recovery" partition... and burn as may images as you want of the hard drive, at any time.... (Unlike the HP "recovery" disc creator which only allows (1) set of discs to be make. (I did see a "reset" ultilty for the disc creator allowing you to burn (1) more copy of the recovery discs, told another poster about it, but he couldn't find it on the HP site... it was just there less than a week ago.... I didn't download it because the HP recovery partition is pretty much useless for my needs. (read that as it restores the unit back to "factory" condition...


With Acronis... you can burn an image, create your own recovery partition at ANY point in the future. Setup the system like YOU want it... then be able to "restore" it to that condition if something happens. The HP recovery partition is only good for when you call HP "tech" support and they tell you to "recover"...

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=154254

http://radified.com/Articles/laptop.htm
http://ghost.radified.com/

Review of the Apricron EZ-BUS-DTC-KIT external hard drive enclosure... buy a 250, 400, 500 gig hd... stick it in and you have a EASY way to back up up data, make backups, images of yor hard drive.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8

I would assume you mean, will QuickPlay install? Don't know for sure since I deleted the HP Recovery partition. BTW: for any QuickPlay v2.0 related issues, read thru, post in this thread any questions you have about re-installing it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8

My laptop has the Intel(R) 82801GBM SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH7M). Can I use any SATA drivers, or do I have to use the Intel one, which I cant seem to find. Can only find the Matrix Storage Drivers.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...tem=ob-39535-1

^That's what you want/need.

Use the .exe to make a floppy that you can use during Windows XP installation. Keep in mind, certain external USB floppy drivers will not work. Known working ones are the HP and Memorex brand, so try and get your hands on those.

What I'd do is to re-size the partiton to 20gig... Leaving the 60 gig as FREE, unformated space.... Then install the OS, install QuickPlay... verify that works, then create the 60gig for your apps. (Or data) Another option is to leave the partition sizes alone... install OS, QuickPlay.... then resize the partition down to 20 gig for OS, create the 60 gig. Everything I've read about QuickPlay says NO partitions can be after the primary on that the OS resides on.... That if you have a second partition, you need to back it up (if data is on it), then restore it after QuickPlay is installed. If you read thru the QuickPlay thread that's what is being reported. (Don't know for sure if that applies to the "recovery" partition".) You may be able to mark the partition "hidden" during the QuickPlay install process to get around that issue. I guess you're asking if the recovery partition will function correctly after creating the second partition (60gig)?... Or are you asking if after running the "recovery" program at some point will it screw up up 60 gig "data" partition... Don't know on both counts... Like I said I deleted the totally useless HP recovery partition and created my own. Snag a copy of Acronis True Image, then create your OWN recovery partition and forget about the HP "recovery" partition. If that makes you nervous, use Arconis or Ghost to backup the recovery partition if you feel the need before you delete it. Most PC's as shipped are shipped with the OS, the APPS, and the DATA on a single partition... so the recovery program is probally going to wipe everything clean and put it back to factory stock. Putting DATA on the same partition as the OS is like like putting irreplaceable pictures of your grandmother in the kichen that catches on FIRE once a year.

Some of the Service packs DEPEND on others to be installed first. Go to HP, Read the info on the page of each Service pack. It will tell you (should tell you) that certain items depend on others. ... HEY,,,, at least it seems the SATA drivers were not a problem, eh? Look at the bright side.... You'll get the sound working... At least you got the OS up and running!