Installing XP
 

Dale , Madjim, HELP. I am trying to install XP on my laptop (Dell XPS M1530) An I can not find anywhere to format HD. In HD properties it will not let me format C: Because that is where Vista is running. If I put in the XP Disc and try to load it will tell me that I have no HD Installed in my laptop. Any suggestions so I can get rid of Vista.

Sounds like you're not loading the RAID drivers. If XP setup can't see the HD then you will need to load the drivers during the "Press F6 to load RAID or SCSI drivers" option at the start of setup.

Sometimes you can load them off of A: or a flash drive but in most cases you will need to build a custom OPK disk with the driver cache preinstalled.

You have a problem. Dell does not have any drivers for XP for that laptop. The only thing they have are Vista 32 bit and Vista 64 bit. You are not going to be able to put XP on that laptop, because with no drivers then you don't have any way for XP to see the HD. I am afraid with that one you are stuck in Vista. From the looks of it this hard drive is a SATA drive.

Dale, Dale, Dale, Why do you always have the answer for me that I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR when it comes to Vista LOL. Really you are one of the biggest helps on this forum. I will now go and install Hoster back on this laptop. I think I need to start looking for a differant (cheap) laptop to run shows on. When I say cheap I do know the min. requirements needed. (but with XP) Thanks Dale !

True, that model was only sold with Vista but he may be able to get drivers from the component manufacturers. For example go to Intel for the Chipset and RAID driver, Creative Labs for the WebCam driver, etc.

Obviously I would try find ALL the drivers before you delete the existing partition.

BTW XP SP2 and above can see SATA drives with no additional driver support. The problem is the chipset access to the RAID array. It looks like that model uses the Intel ICH series storage manager which works with either XP or Vista.

Another Idea for Vista users. Has anyone tried creating a XP virtual machine within Vista?

Please, Tell me more

Virtual PC is a program that will let you load an operating system from within Vista (or XP). I have used it many times for customers who have proprietary software from companies that are out of business or no longer support a particular product. The idea is to load the Virtual PC software then create a Virtual PC within it. You then start Virtual PC and load the operating system (you can have more than one). Once the OS is loaded you install and run what ever software you have. You will need a XP install disk with valid product key and the necessary XP drivers. Here is the link to the page where you can get more infomation and download the program: http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/pro...c/default.mspx

I'll check into it, Thanks

I don't like Vista either, I bought a new Dell 1525 with vista on it and it runs hoster with no problems at all. I only paid $700.00 for it with Intel core 2 dueo 2.0gh processor and 4 gig or ram and 320 gig hd

If you look in the Small Business section of Dell they have both desktop and laptops that they offer the XP upgrade for an extra $100 with their computers. If you look in their Home section they don't make that offer. I also just bought a new laptop from them with XP and I paid $1100, but I also maxed out the hard drive size and memory along with getting some software from them.

Dale, Thanks for all the help. I have been testing 4.08 in mock show and everything seems to be going smooth. I don't have another 'real' show until Wednesday evening. I will let you know how it goes. I did have one problem that happens once in a while (not in 4.08 yet) that I keep forgetting to report, (because its not a big deal to me) Will not let me add singers from the main screen, I have to add them from the search screen. When that happens I just take a music break and restart hoster. Have to run music from a DJ program I have. No one knows the difference and then everything is fine. Not sure what causes it yet. I think its when I add a song to singers file ('+' button) from main screen then try to add another song just to playlist. Usually after about an hour and not every night, Maybe once a week out of five shows.

That sounds like it is going to be a toughy to track down since it is random and happens so seldom. There has got to be more to it than just the act of clicking the button. Something else may be going on in the computer that creates this circumstance and interfering or blocking that action.

I'll keep tracking it and see if I can find the cause. Like I said, Its no big deal to me. I just blame it on Vista and go on with things. With all that I love about Hoster, this is nothing to me. It never stops the show.

I can not, REPEAT CAN NOT, get rid of VISTA. Dale was right. I did try to install XP w/sp3. everything loaded great. everything worked (after getting all drivers) except Video Card. No driver to run NVidia G-Force8600 on Dell XPS M1530. Spent all day today setting Vista up on laptop. 4.08 is stable in Vista. I'll stick it out. Dale, Thanks for all your help in this matter. And if Admin reads this, THANK YOU for getting my reg key fixed so quickly during this mess.

If that is all you are missing try this one direct from the MFG.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce...9.48_beta.html
They do list that card in the supported versions. However this is a beta driver so be prepared to go back to Vista.

Dale, I have already tried that one. The problem is I could not get it to recognize singers monitor. I have already gone back to Vista. Spent 14 hours yesterday getting everything reloaded. It was a pain. I will stick with Vista on this computer. Thinking of building my own show unit. 4.08 seems to be stable so I still have the BEST KARAOKE PROGRAM to run. Thank you for everything and if I knew how, I'd close this thread.

Your welcome. Sorry we couldn't get it converted.
I have built 3 of them and the best ones have been in "Shuttle" style cases. This makes them small, compact, and easy to carry. The only real restriction is that you have to use one of the smaller compact size motherboards as the full size boards won't fit. They are harder to work on because of the confined space but to me it is worth not having to lug a monster case around.

Shows have run flawlessly since 4.08 install, but I have noticed since trying to use XP on this laptop and then going back to Vista system is running slow and sluggish. I know this is not a HOSTER issue. I just wanted to report that this version is solid. Singer refresh issue being fixed is a big plus, lyric sweep was solid in last 4 shows. Thanks MTU for all of your hard work, Dale for all of you help and knowledge in computer and Hoster. I'll get use to Vista. I only use this computer for KJ/DJ anyway and you all seem to have Vista's issues under control. Once again, THANK YOU

Defrag your C:\ drive. Microsoft is the worst at installing their own systems and are always fragmented badly. Also remember any of the tweaks you did before have been reloaded so you will need to go back through and get them too.