How do i format my hard drive on my old compaq 686 465mhz machine running xp sp2.Cant seem to get it to recognize f11, or other keys to get it to system prompt outside of windows.

Win 7 doesn't recognize the format of XP drive. Put the Click drive on an XP machine on the network and copy files you need then format on Win 7 machine.

You need to check your system ram or memory. If you have 2 system ram or memory unplug the other memory and install the windows xp sp2 again. If still having a blue screen try the other memory then run the setup again. Also if you have an extra hard disk drive you can test it that or plug your hard disk drive to the other laptop and run the windows xp sp2 using your hard drive. If you can install the windows xp sp2 on the other laptop that means your hard disk drive are good. If your memory and to the other laptop are compatible plug it and run the windows xp sp2 installer to see and to diagnose what are really causing problem. Have a nice day.

First, your Windows XP must be either SP2 or SP3, and then you must add a patch to it. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/955704/en-us that is KB955794 for the patch

What OS are u working on? some old ones dont recognize this big hard drives, cant remmember the limit but it was around 300. Try updating ur OS if u are working on windows xp(get it to Service pack 3). I think this problem was fixed at sp2, but just to be sure.

Its true. the Bios or HDD driver wont allow you to install Win XP on it.. This BIOS is compatible with only Win Vista. The only easy way to do it is by creating 2 partitions while installing vista. once vista is installed- install XP with Dual boot and than format the vista partition.

Any hard drive larger than 130GB have to be installed using Windows XP SP2. Windows disks, Pre SP2, will not recognize the large hard drive on 130gb of drive.

Hi,

Try using this.

www.recuva.com

The OS doesn't like all the changes that were made. To keep people from cloning hard drives and putting them in whatever machine they want, microsoft winxp recognizes even subtle changes, upgraded cpu, memory video cards etc.

1. put the hard drive in the old machine
2. run link
3. Software
   
4. click on Installed Program
5. click on licenses
6. .click on report
7. quick report licenses html
8. click on print
9. select page 1

These are the key codes for your machine,
now put hard drive in new machine, boot with xp pro cd and choose repair option. re-enter key code when prompted and telephone Microsoft in activation wizard.

Yes, you need the XP SP2 Disk, and make sure you boot order in your BIOS is set to your CD/DVD drive before your hard drive (if not, make it so).
Then boot the PC with the XP disk in the drive and look for boot from the CD before Vista starts to load (you'll only have a few seconds to hit any key to do it) then you will have the opportunity to delete the partition with Vista on it and then create a new on and then format the new partition and install XP.
Good luck.

If you boot a XP cd and select repair will it let you type?