Windows XP on Compaq Presario 1260 notebook

I'm having some problems trying to install Windows XP on an old Compaq
Presario 1260 notebook (which I know is possible from what I've read
on various webpages).

It usually gets as far as the "Setup Is Starting Windows" graphics
part after the files have been copied, but just freezes there.

I've upgraded the BIOS (Presario 1200 Specific Models System ROM
Update), installed the Battery Controller/KBC Firmware Update and
tried the possible solutions mentioned on these Microsoft pages
http://tinyurl.com/yqjcg & http://tinyurl.com/22h5g but still the same
thing happens.

Any help on this issue would be much appreciated.

I really do not think the 1260 is XP capable. Max memory on that model is
160MB, which is totally insufficient for XP. You "might" be able to run
Windows 2K somewhat acceptably, but even if you could install it, XP would
barely crawl on that notebook.

HH


<> wrote in message
news: ups.com...
> I'm having some problems trying to install Windows XP on an old Compaq
> Presario 1260 notebook (which I know is possible from what I've read
> on various webpages).
>
> It usually gets as far as the "Setup Is Starting Windows" graphics
> part after the files have been copied, but just freezes there.
>
> I've upgraded the BIOS (Presario 1200 Specific Models System ROM
> Update), installed the Battery Controller/KBC Firmware Update and
> tried the possible solutions mentioned on these Microsoft pages
> http://tinyurl.com/yqjcg & http://tinyurl.com/22h5g but still the same
> thing happens.
>
> Any help on this issue would be much appreciated.
>

Agreed. I kinda sorta bailed out a client who managed to somehow install XP on
a Toshiba notebook with only 128MB. I added as much memory as the computer
would support, so it now has 256MB. Whoopee! I would never ever use an older
slower notebook with 256MB and XP. I think I would rather watch a bucket fill
with maple sap or watch the grass grow. Even the P4 XP systems sold a few
years ago with only 128MB (when memory was expensive) totally suck and it is
unconscionable that name brand manufacturers sold systems like that.

I guess I have a strong opinion on the subject... Ben Myers

On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 08:53:39 -0400, "HH" <> wrote:

>I really do not think the 1260 is XP capable. Max memory on that model is
>160MB, which is totally insufficient for XP. You "might" be able to run
>Windows 2K somewhat acceptably, but even if you could install it, XP would
>barely crawl on that notebook.
>
>HH
>
>
><> wrote in message
>news: oups.com...
>> I'm having some problems trying to install Windows XP on an old Compaq
>> Presario 1260 notebook (which I know is possible from what I've read
>> on various webpages).
>>
>> It usually gets as far as the "Setup Is Starting Windows" graphics
>> part after the files have been copied, but just freezes there.
>>
>> I've upgraded the BIOS (Presario 1200 Specific Models System ROM
>> Update), installed the Battery Controller/KBC Firmware Update and
>> tried the possible solutions mentioned on these Microsoft pages
>> http://tinyurl.com/yqjcg & http://tinyurl.com/22h5g but still the same
>> thing happens.
>>
>> Any help on this issue would be much appreciated.
>>
>

As do I. I can't believe vendors are selling Vista machines with 512MB of
RAM. Maybe for Basic, but who wants that?

HH


"Ben Myers" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Agreed. I kinda sorta bailed out a client who managed to somehow install
> XP on
> a Toshiba notebook with only 128MB. I added as much memory as the
> computer
> would support, so it now has 256MB. Whoopee! I would never ever use an
> older
> slower notebook with 256MB and XP. I think I would rather watch a bucket
> fill
> with maple sap or watch the grass grow. Even the P4 XP systems sold a
> few
> years ago with only 128MB (when memory was expensive) totally suck and it
> is
> unconscionable that name brand manufacturers sold systems like that.
>
> I guess I have a strong opinion on the subject... Ben Myers
>
> On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 08:53:39 -0400, "HH" <>
> wrote:
>
>>I really do not think the 1260 is XP capable. Max memory on that model is
>>160MB, which is totally insufficient for XP. You "might" be able to run
>>Windows 2K somewhat acceptably, but even if you could install it, XP would
>>barely crawl on that notebook.
>>
>>HH
>>
>>
>><> wrote in message
>>news: roups.com...
>>> I'm having some problems trying to install Windows XP on an old Compaq
>>> Presario 1260 notebook (which I know is possible from what I've read
>>> on various webpages).
>>>
>>> It usually gets as far as the "Setup Is Starting Windows" graphics
>>> part after the files have been copied, but just freezes there.
>>>
>>> I've upgraded the BIOS (Presario 1200 Specific Models System ROM
>>> Update), installed the Battery Controller/KBC Firmware Update and
>>> tried the possible solutions mentioned on these Microsoft pages
>>> http://tinyurl.com/yqjcg & http://tinyurl.com/22h5g but still the same
>>> thing happens.
>>>
>>> Any help on this issue would be much appreciated.
>>>
>>

Sticker price rules the day. Never mind what is under the hood. HPaq, Dell,
Gateway, Lenovo/IBM are killing off each other with their low prices... Ben

On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 10:59:59 -0400, "HH" <> wrote:

>As do I. I can't believe vendors are selling Vista machines with 512MB of
>RAM. Maybe for Basic, but who wants that?
>
>HH
>
>
<SNIP>

Who wants Vista Basic? Will Micro$oft has pretty much killed off all sales of
XP to consumers. If you want a basic low-end machine, Vista is one of the only
games in town. The other is Linux, of course, in all of its shades, gradations,
and distros... Ben Myers

On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 10:59:59 -0400, "HH" <> wrote:

>As do I. I can't believe vendors are selling Vista machines with 512MB of
>RAM. Maybe for Basic, but who wants that?
>
>HH
>
>

Which is why I'm keeping my Athlon 64 X2 box with XP until they pry my cold
clammy hands off it.

HH


"Ben Myers" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Who wants Vista Basic? Will Micro$oft has pretty much killed off all
> sales of
> XP to consumers. If you want a basic low-end machine, Vista is one of
> the only
> games in town. The other is Linux, of course, in all of its shades,
> gradations,
> and distros... Ben Myers
>
> On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 10:59:59 -0400, "HH" <>
> wrote:
>
>>As do I. I can't believe vendors are selling Vista machines with 512MB of
>>RAM. Maybe for Basic, but who wants that?
>>
>>HH
>>
>>

I managed to get it to install in the end! ...although using a
stripped down version of XP made with the Nlite program. It actually
runs a bit faster than Windows 98SE and so far with no problems. I'm
going to see if it will install on my other Presario 1260 now as I got
two dirt cheap at a carboot sale.