Can't Load XP 64 on XPS 720

[FlightHound]

I have vista on this machine and wanted to do a dual boot.  Know how to do this because I've done it on another machine without any problems.  I tried to load XP 64 and got the problem shown below.  I disconnected my main drive with Vista on it just to see if there was some other problem loading XP64.

When I get to the end of the install, the machine reboots and a blue screen flashes  and then reboots again ad nausem.  I don't have an option (F8) to not reboot on error that you would normally see on the screen that asks whether you want to boot Windows normally, into safe mode, etc.

Anyone got any ideas how to make it stop on the error screen to see what the error is?  Some other option I can put in the boot.ini file?  I've tried everything and surfed to the end of the internet twice trying to find an answer.  :'(

[NickN]

No clue

it souds like a corrupt X64 install

I assume that drive is formatted during the Windows X64 install? It must be a 4K cluster fomat (Windows default) or x64 will not run

Suggestion.. forget the dual boot.. possible Vista boot loader error problem... take the VISTA disk out of the system (disconnect it from power) and install X64 on the other drive without Vista in the system.

If you are still having problems I would suspect either a bad install disk, a hard ware conflict (which does not make sense with no F-8 menu) or something wrong with th hard drive itself.


if it does load and boot.. put the VISTA disk back into the system and use the BIOS boot loader screen (typcially a hotkey at system boot) to select which drive you wish to boot to

[FlightHound]

Thanks for response Nick.

I tried two different XP64 CDs and both gave same result.  The second hard drive is brand new.  Ran tests on it right out of the box to make sure it was O.K.  I created a partition and formatted it from within the XP64 install.

Sure wish I could see that error screen so I could get with dell.  May have to load Vista 64 for FSX.  Just hate all of the overhead involved.

[NickN]

[quote]Thanks for response Nick.

I tried two different XP64 CDs and both gave same result.

[FlightHound]

I used an XP64 CD with SP2.  Maybe I should swap out the video card just as a test and try it with an earlier model.

Don't ya just love nVidia?

[NickN]

[quote]I used an XP64 CD with SP2.

[FlightHound]

I did an online chat with Dell last night.  Talked with "Ghandi's Brother" and he basically said that it won't run the the chipset on those boxes.  I can't believe that.  I just need to find some way to stop the error screen to see what's on it.  I may use a digital camera and try to get a shot of it.  

[NickN]

[quote]I did an online chat with Dell last night.

[FlightHound]

I'm going to try the old F8 immediatley on reboot and see if I can get the option to not reboot on error.

I've also found a site with nVidia 680i chipset drivers that I'm going to slipstream into the SP2 CD and try that.  I hate taking crap from silicon and wires!

[NickN]

You may be fighting a losing battle

I just thought of something.. its on the lines of Dell engineering being influenced by Microsoft strong-arm tactics in the electronic design.. and I know they incorporated changes in their products over the last 1.5 years to make Vista the OS of choice

its on these lines





































Borrowed that one.. saw it today and spit up my coffee laughing

[FlightHound]

I'm lifting a leg on that one.

Have we had good reports of FSX runnning on Vista 64?

[NickN]

I use it for testing only and if i had to choose between XP and Vista x64 it would be XP but if i had no choice it would be Vista X64 over 32