aha2940 wrote on 2021-02-03, 04:19:Well, since you are trying to install Windows XP, I assume you already have a valid license for it. If so, then you may get another XP image from the web (archive.org seems to work) and try with that. If it works, then bingo! if not then at least you tried. Another option to try would be resetting the BIOS of the machine to factory default. Curiosity question: did the machine originally came with WinXP? or Vista? (look for the Windows sticker with the key printed).
The machine did originally come with XP. I might be able to try another image later, but idk if it will actually work.
PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2021-02-03, 05:12:If you check the Dell support forum, you'll see loads of help requests relating to the Vostro 200 & non-working USB ports. There never seemed to be an official answer, but the unofficial ones included updating the BIOS, anti-virus conflicts, issues with USBSTOR and USB back port hierarchy (supposedly bottom left keyboard / bottom right mouse). Do you have a W7 install you could try - apparently it is supported in the main?
I could install Windows 7, but it's a bit of a tight squeeze when there in only 1GB of RAM and kinda defeats the purpose of what I'm trying to do.
chinny22 wrote on 2021-02-03, 09:36:Make sure SATA in BIOS is set to ATA not AHCI mode.
Generic XP CD's don't have the drivers to support AHCI mode. Normally if thi […]
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Make sure SATA in BIOS is set to ATA not AHCI mode.
Generic XP CD's don't have the drivers to support AHCI mode. Normally if this isn't set correct you get a message about no hard drives found but maybe you PC is just hanging for whatever reason?
You can try the mouse or seeing if the caps lock led turns on and off to double check if it's hung.
if/when you get past this you can create a driver floppy disk or use something like nlite to create a XP CD with the sata drivers if you wanted
As I said I more or less implied it is in IDE mode and detects the drive. It's just that no key presses work.
EDIT: pressing caps lock doesn't seem to activate the LED for it.