Help please in installing XP on Acer laptop

A friend of mine, an OEM supplier, and pretty experienced, is
nonetheless having a great deal of trouble installing Windows XPon an
Acer laptop. I have added his query below, and would be very grateful if
anybody could suggest a solution.


"Acer laptop model Aspire 5101, supplied with Vista Home Premium.

Hard disk is apparently split into three partitions C, D and (hidden)
small F according to Partition Manager.

I have formatted the drive and tried to load Window XP Home with Service
Pack 2, but willnot continue installation.

-approx 75 % complete - as (quote) "cannot find file".

What purpose does hidden partition serve? Any information please on how
to achieve full instal of XP?"

Whether he trying a dual boot configuration or a clean install of WinXP, he
needs to have WinXP drivers for the laptop, which may include SATA drivers, if
required. In many cases of newer laptops, the hardware devices were developed
for Vista only and there are no WinXP device drivers available. During the
transition period, some laptops were sold with WinXP installed and the mfg
offered an upgrade to Vista when it was released. This type will/should have
WinXP drivers available.

In short, your friend needs to do some research to see if his laptop is a good
candidate for WinXP.

"Mike O'Sullivan" wrote in message
...
A friend of mine, an OEM supplier, and pretty experienced, is nonetheless
having a great deal of trouble installing Windows XPon an Acer laptop. I have
added his query below, and would be very grateful if anybody could suggest a
solution.


"Acer laptop model Aspire 5101, supplied with Vista Home Premium.

Hard disk is apparently split into three partitions C, D and (hidden) small F
according to Partition Manager.

I have formatted the drive and tried to load Window XP Home with Service Pack
2, but willnot continue installation.

-approx 75 % complete - as (quote) "cannot find file".

What purpose does hidden partition serve? Any information please on how to
achieve full instal of XP?"

David Webb wrote:
Whether he trying a dual boot configuration or a clean install of WinXP, he
needs to have WinXP drivers for the laptop, which may include SATA drivers, if
required. In many cases of newer laptops, the hardware devices were developed
for Vista only and there are no WinXP device drivers available. During the
transition period, some laptops were sold with WinXP installed and the mfg
offered an upgrade to Vista when it was released. This type will/should have
WinXP drivers available.

In short, your friend needs to do some research to see if his laptop is a good
candidate for WinXP.

That's very helpful, many thanks. I'll forward this on to him.

Mike