Can't load XP (pre-SP1) on GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R

[mrichardson2]

Anyone ever heard of this being a problem (with this board or any?) It applies to me since I also have the pre-SP1 disk. It's a comment on Newegg regarding the GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R. I was just getting ready to buy it.

Pros: This was a new build and went together with no issues, powered right up and combined with an E8400 CPU, 2G DDR2 1066 G Skill ram, Asus EAH4830 and a WD1001FALS ITB drive this system is very fast and responsive, boots up very fast, extremely happy with its performance.

Had some struggle loading XP Pro as I have a vintage copy (pre SP1) and it would not load. Called Gigabyte and talked to a very competent tech support person who identified the issue very quickly. This is the second time I have talked to their support about minor issues and they are outstanding.

Cons: Gigabyte web site has to be the slowest one ever, taking 5 minites to load a page but it does have all the info you need.

Other Thoughts: For XP users make sure you have a copy of SP2 or better in order to load the OS.

This is my thrid Gigabyte build, I'm sold !


Thanks for your help and Happy Holidays to all!

 

[Zap]

Why don't you slipstream a service pack (may as well go to SP3) into the install? There's plenty of articles on the net for this, and a nice utility is nLite.

 

[mrichardson2]

I tried to do this a few years back but I couldn't get it to work. Maybe I can try it again but I don't really have too much time to play with this PC as we use it a lot.

 

[Ileader36]

I would suggest downloading a sp3 install copy of XP, shouldn't be any legality issues if You own the pre-sp1 version.
All service packs are free, so there shouldn't be any probs with doing that.

 

[NXIL]

Hi M,

here is an easy tutorial on how to slipstream: it has gotten a lot easier, thanks to better software:

http://www.winsupersite.com/sh...sxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Or, more current, and perhaps better:

http://lifehacker.com/386526/s...ows-xp-installation-cd

I think you can even tweak and simplify and lean out your install using some of the options, which is cool.

HTH

NXIL

 

[mrichardson2]

I used nLite and had no problems creating a bootable Win XP SP3 disk right from my original pre-SP1 disk. I tried it out and boy, is that sure better than 500 windows updates and restarts!

So anyway, I guess that solves the original question since I now have an SP3 disk to use.