HELP...my hp is a nightmare!

[ataylor83]

Okay...
My hp sucks, I have 128 MB RAM and am currently running Windows XP, it doesn't run well. I figured I should probably downgrade to Win 2K. I have the Win 2k full version disk, but when I run the disk a message pops up, "The CD-ROM is from an older version of Windows then the one you are presently using. Setup functionality will be disabled." What do I do???!

 

[Fern]

Do you already have the chipset/mobo, video, and audio drivers for your system? Just asking cuz some of the HPs I've seen weren't shipped with those disks. And you'll need 'em after installing another OS.

If you've got win98se boot diskette, you can run fdisk to wipe the HD. Then you s/b be able to install win2k w/o pesky error notices etc.

With only 128MB of ram, I'd run win98se. But that's prolly just me.

 

[Richard98]

Originally posted by: Fern
If you've got win98se boot diskette, you can run fdisk to wipe the HD. Then you s/b be able to install win2k w/o pesky error notices etc.

Looks like you can still pick up a bootdisk here:
http://bootdisk.com/

 

[jackschmittusa]

You can change your boot sequence to boot from the cd. I have only seen the error you describe when winxp is running.

 

[mechBgon]

Welcome to the Forums ataylor83 Can I suggest adding some additional RAM? What model of HP is it? 128MB isn't optimal even for Win2000 Pro if you've got antivirus and firewall software installed and running.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

128MB of RAM isn't enough, period. Performance will suck regardless of OS. Do yourself a favor and get at least 256MB more. You can check with HP about your RAM options, or check out Crucial.com. Crucial has a nice RAM selector and good RAM + price.

 

[ZachMarius]

Like these guys have said, you definitly need to upgrade to at least 256Mb MORE RAM. As for downgrading the OS to Win2k you can change your bootloader system from C: to CD-ROM then put the cd in when it's just starting and choose Boot from Cd. After that you can delete the partition made by XP through the cd.

One note about HP and Compaq OEM computers though....They HATE!!!! being upgraded or downgraded from the OS that was originally placed on the system. And if you do successfully down or upgrade it it'll run fine for about 6+ months until you try to do a windows update or something. Then it'll give you HELL. I've gone through 2 Compaq computers that I upgraded and both did the same thing.

Good Luck

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: ZachMarius
Like these guys have said, you definitly need to upgrade to at least 256Mb MORE RAM. As for downgrading the OS to Win2k you can change your bootloader system from C: to CD-ROM then put the cd in when it's just starting and choose Boot from Cd. After that you can delete the partition made by XP through the cd.

One note about HP and Compaq OEM computers though....They HATE!!!! being upgraded or downgraded from the OS that was originally placed on the system. And if you do successfully down or upgrade it it'll run fine for about 6+ months until you try to do a windows update or something. Then it'll give you HELL. I've gone through 2 Compaq computers that I upgraded and both did the same thing.

Good Luck

HP/Compaq use a dead-standard release of XP, so I can't see how that can be the case. They do install a lot of third-party/aftermarket applications, so sometimes it is wise to remove those that you don't use, but the XP install is dead-standard.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: ataylor83
Okay...
My hp sucks, I have 128 MB RAM and am currently running Windows XP, it doesn't run well. I figured I should probably downgrade to Win 2K. I have the Win 2k full version disk, but when I run the disk a message pops up, "The CD-ROM is from an older version of Windows then the one you are presently using. Setup functionality will be disabled." What do I do???!

You're running XP. It's essentially telling you you can't downgrade from XP to 2000, so it's disabling the ability to run 2000's Setup program from within XP.

To solve, boot from CD. Reformat your drives, and install 2000. I suggest that before you do this you download all the driver files for your model of HP from www.hp.com and burn them to a CD.

A far simpler fix is to invest $60 in a 512MB stick of RAM.

 

[oldman420]

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: ataylor83
Okay...
My hp sucks, I have 128 MB RAM and am currently running Windows XP, it doesn't run well. I figured I should probably downgrade to Win 2K. I have the Win 2k full version disk, but when I run the disk a message pops up, "The CD-ROM is from an older version of Windows then the one you are presently using. Setup functionality will be disabled." What do I do???!

You're running XP. It's essentially telling you you can't downgrade from XP to 2000, so it's disabling the ability to run 2000's Setup program from within XP.

To solve, boot from CD. Reformat your drives, and install 2000. I suggest that before you do this you download all the driver files for your model of HP from www.hp.com and burn them to a CD.

A far simpler fix is to invest $60 in a 512MB stick of RAM.

Agreed

 

[ataylor83]

Thanx for all the input...
I have considered putting another stick of RAM in this beast...but where can I find it for $60!!
Considering I've already got Win2K I'm still planning on downgrading my OS...any additional money spent on my part would be stupid...it's being saved for a new computer.
The boot sequence makes sense though...but how do I (re)format the C: drive??

 

[mechBgon]

You simply boot from your Win2000 CD-ROM and begin Windows2000 Setup. During Setup, you can delete the existing partition(s), create new ones, and just carry on. There's no separate utility or anything, it's part of Win2000 Setup's routine.

I was helping remove spyware from a WinXP Home computer with 128MB of RAM. I told the owner that WinXP on 128MB of RAM was "like a chef trying to make a five-course meal with just one saucepan." Maybe a slight exaggeration but I think she got the picture... the computer is utterly hogtied, even after the spyware was gone and it was thoroughly pared down to just the essential stuff. It was torment to use it.

Even if you only got another 256MB of RAM, which would be something like $42 if it's DDR (see Crucial's configurator), that would give you 384MB and make a huge difference. Don't keep torturing yourself over $40-50!

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: ataylor83
Thanx for all the input...
I have considered putting another stick of RAM in this beast...but where can I find it for $60!!

Fry's....or Outpost.com... or just check pricewatch.com.

The boot sequence makes sense though...but how do I (re)format the C: drive??

During the first part of the install you'll have that opportunity.

 

[ataylor83]

Hey everyone, Thanks again...my bf got this nooblar up and running like before. The video is still a little messed up, but we think its just a driver update that'll fix that. Thank you all again.