The HP Mini 210-1130ER does not have its own DVD drive, so I, as usual, connected an external DVD drive to USB, inserted a repeatedly tested and guaranteed working disk with the Windows XP Professional SP3 distribution into it, rebooted, but at the very beginning of the installation I got this message:
That is, the Windows XP installer does not see the hard drive. At the same time, the Windows 7 installer installed everything fine from the same drive. This was followed by long hours of searching for solutions, replacing the netbook's hard drive, attempts to install Windows XP from a flash drive and from an external hard drive, everything was tried, including preinstalling the system from a virtual machine, writing different versions of MS-DOS to disk, and other manifestations of hopelessness.
Along the way, the BIOS was updated to the latest version, and a full low-level test of the hard drive was carried out using BIOS diagnostic tools. No problems were identified, but the installer still refused to see the netbook's hard drive.
Yes, I am aware that there is a special cauldron prepared in hell for those who take pictures of the monitor, but screenshots are not taken in the BIOS. So I don’t see any other way other than photography.
A search for at least some information on this problem in the Russian-language segment of the Internet did not lead to anything, but on one of the foreign forums there was a description of a similar situation, albeit with a different laptop model. The whole solution boiled down to the fact that drivers for the chipset must be integrated into the Windows XP distribution, which should be loaded in the so-called text mode when installing the system. Now it’s hard for me to remember how much more time was spent searching and testing all kinds of drivers until the right ones were found. The main thing is that now you can download them from here.
Intel.NM10.Express.Chipset.Drivers.zip (203,253 bytes)
Let's move on to integrating drivers into the distribution. To do this you will need the free nLite program. With its help, by the way, you can not only integrate drivers, but also very coolly modify the distribution, so follow the instructions carefully. Unpack the original Windows XP distribution image into a separate folder. This can be done, for example, using the WinRAR archiver or any other program for working with disk images. Launch nLite and in the first step select the folder with the unpacked distribution.
Mark the required operations. In our case, this is integrating drivers into the distribution and creating a bootable disk image.
Unpack the downloaded drivers into a separate folder. In nLite, click the "Add" button and select "Drivers Folder". Specify the folder with the unpacked drivers and confirm the selection of chipset drivers for text mode.
Then all the actions are by default, as nLite suggests. After its completion, the selected drivers will be integrated into the unpacked Windows XP distribution. For convenience, I immediately made an ISO file with a modified distribution, this is in case in the future I have to rearrange the system on the netbook again. You can skip this step.
Now we need to prepare the modified distribution for installation. I installed it from a flash drive, I didn’t check the options for installing from a CD or from an image, so I will describe a guaranteed-working method for installing Windows XP on an HP Mini 210-1130ER netbook. After trying several utilities, I settled on WinSetupFromUSB, only with its help I was able to create an error-free bootloader.
Specify the folder with the modified distribution, select the flash drive and check the boxes in the settings, as shown in the screenshot. When the program finishes working, the flash drive can be connected to the netbook and booted from it.
Before starting the installation, it is very important to select the first menu item - “Auto-detect and use F6 SATA/RAID/SCSI Driver”, and only after that you can begin installing Windows XP. If this is not done, then during installation you will receive a BSOD with the error Stop 0x0000007B.
If everything is done correctly, the installer should now have no problems identifying the hard drive. Everything is defined correctly, all partitions are available for installation.
Further installation will be performed automatically; after the first and second reboot, the WinSetupFromUSB installer will prompt you with the required sequence of actions. Otherwise, installing the system is no different from installing it on other computers.
All that remains is to download drivers for Windows XP for all the components of the netbook and it will be completely ready for work. You can also download the latest BIOS update there, if required.
Was the result worth all this fuss? I think that yes, it was definitely worth it. The system boots in less than 10 seconds, all installed software really flies, and all this was achieved without upgrading hardware. And most importantly, it is on Windows XP that various utilities for removing attached protections such as DecomAS or ArmaGeddon work most correctly.
This is how the netbook found a second life, and I gained invaluable experience and was once again convinced that the race for newfangled systems is not always justified. As popular wisdom says: “An old friend is better than two new ones.”
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Greetings, my dear readers. The other day they brought me an interesting laptop: HP 255 G2 with Windows 8.1 pre-installed (as it should be now), however, its owner did not want to relearn and tearfully asked to put the usual seven. As they say: the master is the master, and it was decided to demolish Windows 8.1, which came with the kit, and install Windows 7. However, everything turned out to be not as simple as I thought at first glance!
How to install Windows 7 on an HP laptop in pictures
So how can we install Windows 7 on an HP 255 G2 laptop, even if the standard delete or f2 does not allow us to get into the usual BIOS of the laptop? (which puzzled me a lot). It was then that I remembered a clever phrase: if all else fails, then finally read the instructions!
The instructions included were very sparse: it showed how to insert the battery and what to press to turn it on... and a couple of pages on how to use Windows 8.1. As you can imagine, such reading was of little use to me and I had to go to the official website for answers, and I found them!
Here is the information... to get into the BIOS! to set the boot device we need to press when starting the laptop first and then, after that you will be taken to the BIOS, where you can make settings.
How to install Windows 7 on an HP laptop
Since new HP laptops (almost all) have UEFI instead of the usual BIOS (A sort of modern alternative to BIOS) then there are some subtleties here (UEFI is a topic for a separate article, so we won’t consider it here, we’ll just figure out how to load seven on a laptop)... By the way, quality control was checked by my faithful cat, who never left his laptop for a minute :)
If it weren't for the cat, I don't even know if I would have figured it out or not.
So, if we briefly talk about UEFI innovations, then the main crutch in the installation of any other OS other than Eight - SECURE BOOT mode, which increases the security of the OS. The main problem is that no one except Windows 8 supports this feature. (from desktop OS of course), so to install Windows 7 on our HP 255 G2 or similar laptop, you just need turn off SECURE BOOT and instead of it activate Legacy Support , after these manipulations it may be easy to install any other operating system... at least 😉
As soon as you turn on the laptop, immediately press and then until you get to the BIOS. Here we go to the tab System Configuration and select the item Boot Options on the menu…
As you can see, there are very few settings here, so there shouldn’t be any difficulties here... in order for us to install Windows 7, we need to disable Secure Boot (Select
However, that’s not all, since changing the loading method will not allow the eight to load, we need to enter the confirmation code and press. I warn you right away that the buttons on the number pad are not active in this case... dial the code (in my case 9993) and press Enter
Actually, that's all... now at startup we press + and we find ourselves in Boot Options - where we need to choose what to boot from, that’s all, the HP laptop is ready to install Windows 7.
Instead of an afterword: If you, like me, decide, then take a closer look at the USB ports in the laptop... there are USB 3.0 ports that do not work quite correctly without installing drivers for them. For example, installing Windows 7 was impossible for me due to the lack of drivers for the optical drive, which sounds a little crazy - I installed it from a USB drive... but keep this in mind, if you have the same error, just insert the flash drive into another USB port of the laptop and repeat the download. Now you definitely won’t have any questions left: How to install Windows 7 on an HP laptop! In my opinion, we have considered all possible options;)
In contact with
HP stopped shipping consumer laptops running Windows XP in April 2010. Therefore, Microsoft may no longer provide general support for this solution. This will take into account how and when you purchased your copy of Windows XP. Bulk support includes, but is not limited to, delivery of drivers for new devices, updated drivers, security updates, patch files, or updated software.
Replacing the installed operating system with a retail version of Windows XP on an HP notebook computer that is under warranty will void the software warranty. The software warranty only applies to the original software and operating system that originally shipped with your laptop. This warranty does not apply to modifications made to the software after purchase.
The equipment warranty is valid for a specified warranty period. For hardware-related issues, you may receive a message telling you to reinstall the original OS to check if the problem is caused by a hardware issue.
Known issues when upgrading from Windows Vista or 7 to Windows XP
Replacing the Windows 7 or Vista operating system originally installed on HP Pavilion or Compaq Presario consumer notebook computers can cause significant problems with the computer's performance. Many hardware components, such as audio devices, video devices, graphics cards, network cards, drives, and other internal and peripheral devices, will experience reduced functionality or stop working. Before deciding to replace your operating system, you should review your hardware and software manufacturers' support policies and the problems other users are experiencing in this situation.
Microsoft has stopped selling the Windows XP operating system and is providing limited support to Windows XP users. Information about the use and support policies for this operating system can be found on the Microsoft website.
The installation disk does not find the hard drive
When you try to install Windows XP on a computer designed to install Windows Vista or Windows 7, a problem may occur in which the installation disk does not “see” the hard drive. During installation, you will receive an ATA error message stating that the hard drive was not found on the computer. Newer operating systems use Serial ATA (SATA) technology to manage the hard drive, while Windows XP and earlier operating systems use ATI-native technology. The BIOS, which controls all hardware components, uses its own native-SATA drivers, but the XP installation disk cannot recognize this newer technology.
To resolve this issue and disable the native-SATA configuration in the BIOS, follow these steps:
If the SATA option is available, set it to Disable, then press F10 to save your changes and restart your computer.
If the SATA option is missing, you should use third-party tools to change the settings.
Open the optical CD/DVD drive to remove the XP installation disc and turn off the computer's power.
Press the power button, then the F10 key to open the BIOS settings menu.
Use your keyboard to navigate to Configuration to find the Native-SATA configuration options.
After changing the SATA setting, insert the XP installation disc into the drive, restart your computer, and follow Microsoft's instructions to complete the installation.
If the BIOS does not have options to disable SATA settings, installing XP may require what is called a "slipstreaming" procedure. This procedure involves the use of third-party tools that are not supported by HP, which may result in unexpected errors. Before attempting to make changes to Windows Vista or Windows 7, it is recommended that you search the Internet for the necessary instructions and tools.
Cannot connect to network using network interface card (NIC)
The computer cannot be connected to the network or the Internet. The most likely cause of this problem is that Windows XP cannot recognize the network interface card.
To resolve this issue, locate and install the network interface card drivers for your original operating system. You will need another computer to find and download the appropriate NIC or Ethernet drivers. You can then transfer the file to the computer where the operating system was replaced. After you install the network interface card driver and restart your computer, you can connect it to the Internet to search for and download other drivers.
New hardware manufacturers do not provide drivers for Windows XP
Since the release of the newer Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems, device technology has been constantly changing. Some hardware manufacturers do not provide support for Windows XP. After upgrading the operating system on an HP Pavilion or Compaq Presario consumer notebook computer designed to run Windows Vista to an older operating system, you may experience the following issues:
HP does not provide Windows XP compatible drivers for the audio, video, graphics, network cards, drives, or other internal or peripheral devices of these notebook computers.
If you replace your operating system, you may need to return your computer software to its original (factory) state so that you can troubleshoot hardware and software problems with support.
Newer hardware components may be designed specifically for use with the latest operating systems, such as Windows Vista or Windows 7. Therefore, some hardware manufacturers may not provide drivers that are compatible with Windows XP.
Even if Microsoft or other companies can provide universal drivers that work for all devices, your HP computer may not perform at optimal levels.
Use Windows Update and HP Help and Support to find compatible drivers.
Microsoft and HP provide tools to make it easier for users to find compatible drivers and software. Since some updates can be installed only after installing other updates and restarting the computer, you will need to run the update tools several times.
Open a browser window and go to www.update.microsoft.com.
Select the check box for the components for which you want to check for updates to your operating system and Microsoft software, such as Word, Excel, Office, and so on.
Wait until your computer finishes checking for updates and patches. The most recent version of Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all the drivers planned for release by Microsoft. Microsoft has no plans to continue developing drivers or software for Windows XP.
Windows Update is part of the Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems and runs from your hard drive. To update your Windows XP operating system, go to the Microsoft website and run the online update program. To run Windows Update, follow these steps:
Some maintenance tools are available in HP Help and Support for Windows XP. But this application refers to the HP Instant Support Professional Edition diagnostic toolkit, which works through a web interface (once connected to the network). This set of diagnostic tools has been developed for known combinations of hardware and operating systems. If the configuration of your laptop is non-standard, then delivery of updates will not be possible.
Launching HP Notebook Utilities for XP
HP laptops have a unique feature that is lost when installing the stock Windows XP image. Although you can find and install individual utilities, HP has prepared a software package, SP27720 – Notebook Utilities for Windows XP, which contains several utilities for notebook computers. Utilities are used to calibrate the battery, switch displays with keyboard shortcuts, quickly lock the system, and use Wireless features.
Download and save the software package on your computer. Do not try to run the program from the website. Some utilities check the hard drive for earlier versions of the program and display a message about removing installed programs:
Open control Panel, right-click on the program name and select Uninstall from the drop-down menu.
Shut down and restart your computer before installing new versions of utilities.
Updating or reinstalling drivers through Device Manager
If the laptop does not recognize any USB device, or if the driver installation is not completed correctly, an error message appears.
This device cannot be started. (FailReasonString value) A change in this setting indicates a failure in some hardware component.
The device is missing, not working properly, or not all drivers are installed for it. (Code 10)
If the failed device is an external peripheral device, such as a printer or USB hard drive, disconnect and reconnect the cable to check the connection. To resolve this issue and install a compatible driver, connect your computer to the Internet and try one or more of the following methods.
Update your device driver
Click the Start button and right-click My Computer.
Select Properties, then click the Hardware tab.
Click the button device Manager to launch Device Manager.
Device Manager uses an exclamation mark inside a yellow triangle to indicate a device that has not been detected or a driver that is not installed and is malfunctioning.
Select the Driver tab.
Select an item Update driver and allow the Windows operating system to search your computer and the Internet for a suitable driver.
Uninstalling and reinstalling the device driver
Open device Manager, as described above.
Highlight the broken device row marked with an "exclamation mark inside a yellow triangle" symbol and click the Remove button.
Close device Manager and shut down your computer.
Restart your computer and wait until Windows detects plug-and-play devices and installs the appropriate drivers. Allow the WINDOWS operating system to search your computer and the Internet for a suitable driver.
Finding and installing alternative drivers and programs manually
If you know the model number of a hardware component, you can use that number to find other devices that use components from the same manufacturer, and then search for compatible drivers. Because Windows XP was developed using older technology, Windows XP drivers may not be as functional as Windows 7 drivers.
Search for drivers used in similar device models running the new operating system. Go to the HP Drivers and Downloads web page to search for an updated device driver for other computers in the same series.
Note.Before you install an unknown driver or program, find out which version of the hardware component it is for. Read the Readme file or installation instructions that apply to the file you are updating.
Warning.DO NOT install random drivers or software, as running an incompatible program may cause your computer to malfunction or become completely inoperable! For example, attempting to install a BIOS for a 32-bit Intel processor on a computer with a 64-bit AMD processor will result in the computer being completely inoperable and unable to be restored to a previous working state.
If your computer does not work properly, install the original operating system
If you've already replaced your original Windows Vista or Windows 7 operating system with the older Windows XP, you may have found that features such as sound, DVD drive, or webcam no longer work. There are very few Windows XP drivers listed on the product web page for your laptop. HP DOES NOT provide Windows XP compatible drivers for computers designed exclusively for Windows Vista and Windows 7. If your computer came with a non-XP operating system, HP will provide support for the installed hardware and software when the computer is running under written agreements. management of the initially installed OS. You can reinstall the original operating system.
Note.You can try installing drivers and programs provided by other companies; however, HP will not be able to provide technical support or diagnose potential hardware problems until you have reinstalled the original Windows Vista or Windows 7 operating system.
To resolve hardware and software issues, you MUST reinstall the original operating system that was installed at the factory. To do this, follow these steps:
Although there are documents available online that describe installing two operating systems with a choice of which one to boot, HP does not support this configuration. Installing two operating systems requires installing drivers for both systems, but HP does not provide drivers for components that are not designed to run on the other operating system. With this configuration, you may need to return your computer software to its original (factory) state in order to troubleshoot hardware and software problems with support.
Additionally, even if you can find third-party drivers for use in a dual-OS configuration, pay attention to the available hard drive capacity. Each operating system takes up significant space on your hard drive. Installing XP and Vista at the same time can significantly limit the hard drive space available for other applications, which will degrade overall performance.
HP stopped shipping consumer laptops running Windows XP in April 2010. Therefore, Microsoft may no longer provide general support for this solution. This will take into account how and when you purchased your copy of Windows XP. Bulk support includes, but is not limited to, delivery of drivers for new devices, updated drivers, security updates, patch files, or updated software.
Replacing the installed operating system with a retail version of Windows XP on an HP notebook computer that is under warranty will void the software warranty. The software warranty only applies to the original software and operating system that originally shipped with your laptop. This warranty does not apply to modifications made to the software after purchase.
The equipment warranty is valid for a specified warranty period. For hardware-related issues, you may receive a message telling you to reinstall the original OS to check if the problem is caused by a hardware issue.
Known issues when upgrading from Windows Vista or 7 to Windows XP
Replacing the Windows 7 or Vista operating system originally installed on HP Pavilion or Compaq Presario consumer notebook computers can cause significant problems with the computer's performance. Many hardware components, such as audio devices, video devices, graphics cards, network cards, drives, and other internal and peripheral devices, will experience reduced functionality or stop working. Before deciding to replace your operating system, you should review your hardware and software manufacturers' support policies and the problems other users are experiencing in this situation.
Microsoft has stopped selling the Windows XP operating system and is providing limited support to Windows XP users. Information about the use and support policies for this operating system can be found on the Microsoft website.
The installation disk does not find the hard drive
When you try to install Windows XP on a computer designed to install Windows Vista or Windows 7, a problem may occur in which the installation disk does not “see” the hard drive. During installation, you will receive an ATA error message stating that the hard drive was not found on the computer. Newer operating systems use Serial ATA (SATA) technology to manage the hard drive, while Windows XP and earlier operating systems use ATI-native technology. The BIOS, which controls all hardware components, uses its own native-SATA drivers, but the XP installation disk cannot recognize this newer technology.
To resolve this issue and disable the native-SATA configuration in the BIOS, follow these steps:
If the SATA option is available, set it to Disable, then press F10 to save your changes and restart your computer.
If the SATA option is missing, you should use third-party tools to change the settings.
Open the optical CD/DVD drive to remove the XP installation disc and turn off the computer's power.
Press the power button, then the F10 key to open the BIOS settings menu.
Use your keyboard to navigate to Configuration to find the Native-SATA configuration options.
After changing the SATA setting, insert the XP installation disc into the drive, restart your computer, and follow Microsoft's instructions to complete the installation.
If the BIOS does not have options to disable SATA settings, installing XP may require what is called a "slipstreaming" procedure. This procedure involves the use of third-party tools that are not supported by HP, which may result in unexpected errors. Before attempting to make changes to Windows Vista or Windows 7, it is recommended that you search the Internet for the necessary instructions and tools.
Cannot connect to network using network interface card (NIC)
The computer cannot be connected to the network or the Internet. The most likely cause of this problem is that Windows XP cannot recognize the network interface card.
To resolve this issue, locate and install the network interface card drivers for your original operating system. You will need another computer to find and download the appropriate NIC or Ethernet drivers. You can then transfer the file to the computer where the operating system was replaced. After you install the network interface card driver and restart your computer, you can connect it to the Internet to search for and download other drivers.
New hardware manufacturers do not provide drivers for Windows XP
Since the release of the newer Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems, device technology has been constantly changing. Some hardware manufacturers do not provide support for Windows XP. After upgrading the operating system on an HP Pavilion or Compaq Presario consumer notebook computer designed to run Windows Vista to an older operating system, you may experience the following issues:
HP does not provide Windows XP compatible drivers for the audio, video, graphics, network cards, drives, or other internal or peripheral devices of these notebook computers.
If you replace your operating system, you may need to return your computer software to its original (factory) state so that you can troubleshoot hardware and software problems with support.
Newer hardware components may be designed specifically for use with the latest operating systems, such as Windows Vista or Windows 7. Therefore, some hardware manufacturers may not provide drivers that are compatible with Windows XP.
Even if Microsoft or other companies can provide universal drivers that work for all devices, your HP computer may not perform at optimal levels.
Use Windows Update and HP Help and Support to find compatible drivers.
Microsoft and HP provide tools to make it easier for users to find compatible drivers and software. Since some updates can be installed only after installing other updates and restarting the computer, you will need to run the update tools several times.
Open a browser window and go to www.update.microsoft.com.
Select the check box for the components for which you want to check for updates to your operating system and Microsoft software, such as Word, Excel, Office, and so on.
Wait until your computer finishes checking for updates and patches. The most recent version of Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all the drivers planned for release by Microsoft. Microsoft has no plans to continue developing drivers or software for Windows XP.
Windows Update is part of the Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems and runs from your hard drive. To update your Windows XP operating system, go to the Microsoft website and run the online update program. To run Windows Update, follow these steps:
Some maintenance tools are available in HP Help and Support for Windows XP. But this application refers to the HP Instant Support Professional Edition diagnostic toolkit, which works through a web interface (once connected to the network). This set of diagnostic tools has been developed for known combinations of hardware and operating systems. If the configuration of your laptop is non-standard, then delivery of updates will not be possible.
Launching HP Notebook Utilities for XP
HP laptops have a unique feature that is lost when installing the stock Windows XP image. Although you can find and install individual utilities, HP has prepared a software package, SP27720 – Notebook Utilities for Windows XP, which contains several utilities for notebook computers. Utilities are used to calibrate the battery, switch displays with keyboard shortcuts, quickly lock the system, and use Wireless features.
Download and save the software package on your computer. Do not try to run the program from the website. Some utilities check the hard drive for earlier versions of the program and display a message about removing installed programs:
Open control Panel, right-click on the program name and select Uninstall from the drop-down menu.
Shut down and restart your computer before installing new versions of utilities.
Updating or reinstalling drivers through Device Manager
If the laptop does not recognize any USB device, or if the driver installation is not completed correctly, an error message appears.
This device cannot be started. (FailReasonString value) A change in this setting indicates a failure in some hardware component.
The device is missing, not working properly, or not all drivers are installed for it. (Code 10)
If the failed device is an external peripheral device, such as a printer or USB hard drive, disconnect and reconnect the cable to check the connection. To resolve this issue and install a compatible driver, connect your computer to the Internet and try one or more of the following methods.
Update your device driver
Click the Start button and right-click My Computer.
Select Properties, then click the Hardware tab.
Click the button device Manager to launch Device Manager.
Device Manager uses an exclamation mark inside a yellow triangle to indicate a device that has not been detected or a driver that is not installed and is malfunctioning.
Select the Driver tab.
Select an item Update driver and allow the Windows operating system to search your computer and the Internet for a suitable driver.
Uninstalling and reinstalling the device driver
Open device Manager, as described above.
Highlight the broken device row marked with an "exclamation mark inside a yellow triangle" symbol and click the Remove button.
Close device Manager and shut down your computer.
Restart your computer and wait until Windows detects plug-and-play devices and installs the appropriate drivers. Allow the WINDOWS operating system to search your computer and the Internet for a suitable driver.
Finding and installing alternative drivers and programs manually
If you know the model number of a hardware component, you can use that number to find other devices that use components from the same manufacturer, and then search for compatible drivers. Because Windows XP was developed using older technology, Windows XP drivers may not be as functional as Windows 7 drivers.
Search for drivers used in similar device models running the new operating system. Go to the HP Drivers and Downloads web page to search for an updated device driver for other computers in the same series.
Note.Before you install an unknown driver or program, find out which version of the hardware component it is for. Read the Readme file or installation instructions that apply to the file you are updating.
Warning.DO NOT install random drivers or software, as running an incompatible program may cause your computer to malfunction or become completely inoperable! For example, attempting to install a BIOS for a 32-bit Intel processor on a computer with a 64-bit AMD processor will result in the computer being completely inoperable and unable to be restored to a previous working state.
If your computer does not work properly, install the original operating system
If you've already replaced your original Windows Vista or Windows 7 operating system with the older Windows XP, you may have found that features such as sound, DVD drive, or webcam no longer work. There are very few Windows XP drivers listed on the product web page for your laptop. HP DOES NOT provide Windows XP compatible drivers for computers designed exclusively for Windows Vista and Windows 7. If your computer came with a non-XP operating system, HP will provide support for the installed hardware and software when the computer is running under written agreements. management of the initially installed OS. You can reinstall the original operating system.
Note.You can try installing drivers and programs provided by other companies; however, HP will not be able to provide technical support or diagnose potential hardware problems until you have reinstalled the original Windows Vista or Windows 7 operating system.
To resolve hardware and software issues, you MUST reinstall the original operating system that was installed at the factory. To do this, follow these steps:
Although there are documents available online that describe installing two operating systems with a choice of which one to boot, HP does not support this configuration. Installing two operating systems requires installing drivers for both systems, but HP does not provide drivers for components that are not designed to run on the other operating system. With this configuration, you may need to return your computer software to its original (factory) state in order to troubleshoot hardware and software problems with support.
Additionally, even if you can find third-party drivers for use in a dual-OS configuration, pay attention to the available hard drive capacity. Each operating system takes up significant space on your hard drive. Installing XP and Vista at the same time can significantly limit the hard drive space available for other applications, which will degrade overall performance.
