Windows XP on a Windows 7 laptop

[Potts]

I have a Dell Inspiron Mini with Windows 7 Starter. The hard drive is dead and I bought a new hard drive but don't have a system recovery cd. I do have a Windows XP cd, can I install XP, then install XP drivers, on it even though the laptop was made to run Windows 7?

[JackBauer_24]

it depends if the hardware supports Windows XP (have drivers for XP) or not.

What is the model number of the laptop?

Do you still have the old HDD their should be a Recovery Partition on it that you can clone the partition to the new HDD to reinstall Windows 7 starter to your laptop.

[Potts]

The model # is Inspiron Mini 1018
Yes I still have the old HDD, but it wasn't working properly. So you're saying even though it's broken I can still clone that partition? On the old HDD I was able to run the HDD diag. tool and I always got error code 2000-0142.

[JackBauer_24]

I would back up all important data from the HDD onto DVD's a thumb drive or external drive then buy a new drive that compatible with yout mini laptop. Your mini laptop is compatible with Windows 7 32bit.

I would get Windows 7 Starter or Home Basic for your laptop since Mini laptops normally have only 1GB of RAM.

If you upgrade to Win7 I would go here Select a product or category from the list below - HP Customer Care (United States - English) download the chipset drivers, Audio drivers, Video Drivers, and wifi, and NIC drivers.

[Potts]

I have more trouble now. I was copying the files and I walked away for a bit, while it was still copying, and when I came back the laptop was completely shut down. When I hit the power button nothing lights up, but when I let go of the power button the power indicator light lights up for a spilt second and then goes out. I waved my volt indicator over the keyboard and along the power cord and it beeps indicating power is going through the power cord and laptop. Is the motherboard gone or what?

[JackBauer_24]

Check the battery and power adapter with a multi meter. Check the voltage to see if they are producing power.

[Rich-M]

That sounds like Motherboard is gone. Is this under warranty from Dell by any chance?

[spunk.funk]

Pull the laptop battery and run the computer with just the power adapter. Try also removing the new HDD and see if the computer will post to the Dell Logo screen. If no, it would be the Motherboard that failed.

[greenbrucelee]

usually you always have to install the older OS first before the new one otherwise your computer wont like it.

But you must cheack all hardware is cmpatible with both before doing anything.