Just last month, I had tried to install Windows Vista on the Acer Aspire 5732z, which sadly flopped as I could not for the life of me find the drivers compatible with the operating system. To add insult to injury, not even my TP-Link TL-WN823N USB wireless adapter was able to install properly, thus running DriverPack was not going to be possible without connecting via Ethernet but even that did not work.

This week I decided to replace Windows Vista with another operating system, but what? For some reason, Linux will refuse to start up and the screen starts to blink on and off (although I could keep macOS in mind for next time).

Then something clicked! I realized that I can change the BIOS to IDE (disk controllers). Yes, you probably know where I’m going with this…

Five months ago, I had tried to install Windows XP on this laptop but it would not let me get past the boot screen above after copying the files. At the time, I had tried to install it with SATA disk controllers. The CD was slip-streamed with the required drivers, the user is prompted to press F6 to install any third party drivers in the early stage of the setup.

This time I will try to install Windows XP with IDE disk controllers, thus I will not be required to install any extra drivers. The question remains whether or not it will work.

Readying the laptop for the installation process. The image above shows an untouched and pre-activated copy of Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3.
If you intend to install Windows XP with slip-streamed drivers, change/leave the SATA mode to AHCI. Else, if you prefer to install it without getting your hands dirty, change the SATA mode to IDE. Be careful when altering with this option, it may result in an inaccessible boot device, especially in the case of a dual boot system!

After leaving the BIOS, it should tell you to press any key to boot from CD/DVD or USB in order to access the setup.

At this point, you cannot do much else except waiting for the setup to load the required files. After what seems like an eternity (usually the result of old hardware), you should see ‘Setup is starting Windows’. It will then examine all available disks.

Since I decided to split my hard disk into two partitions, I will install the operating system in the D: partition. Unless you had resized the disk, you would only have one partition in a disk. I will then press Enter to proceed with formatting options.
Choose what is best for you and press Enter to proceed with the installation.
Confirm that you want to install Windows on the selected partition and allow the installation to commence. This is your last chance to back out if you are not sure of what you are doing.

No human intervention is required at this point, feel free to sit back and enjoy a cup of tea while you wait. Under no circumstances should you interrupt the setup in any way, doing so may cause irreversible damage. The computer will restart after all files are copied. Ignore any prompts to press a key to boot from the installation media.

In my case, this indicates that the installation was a swift success as I could never get past the boot screen. Whether or not the rest will work remains unknown for now.

Fairly self-explanatory. You will then be asked to configure the region and language options, as well as to provide basic information such as username and password.

Afterwards, allow the installation to finish off. It should reboot, once again please ignore any prompts to press a key to boot from the installation media.

There’s not much else you can do really.
Select whatever option you deem fit.
You shall be taken to the OOBE (out-of-box experience) shortly. Also, kindly excuse the open door in the background.
Welcome to Windows XP from Microsoft, the new version that brings your PC to life. Experience the best, experience Windows XP. (If you have sound drivers, saying that the experience would be impeccable would be an understatement)

Feel free to summon the trusty Merlin by pressing the F1 for assistance. You are allowed to change security and user account settings later on, no need to fawn over the OOBE.

Wait for it…

After three years of trying to get Windows XP to install on this laptop…

There you have it, folks! Windows XP is finally up and running (satisfactorily so) on the Acer Aspire 5732z. Maybe next time, I may try installing the macOS High Sierra.

Thank you for reading this post! Have a nice day!

Published by mandyfarrugia9401

17-year old software development student with a penchant for programming and strives to go above and beyond to attain more knowledge about the fields of IT.

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