Windows xp compatibility for P6240f

[web-fusion]

I have some software that runs best in XP and am wondering if I could install XP on my machine. I'm not sure if there's any way to see if it would work before I spend time trying it out (getting another HDD for dual boot, etc). Any ideas for how I could find this info out?

[itsmyname]

@web-fusion -- Windows has a "compatibility" mode for "legacy" applications.

Essentially, Windows puts a "wrapper" around the XP application, to trick the application into finding an XP environment.

Right-mouse-button click on the EXE file, and set the "compatibility" mode.

Or, purchase the Windows 10 version of the software from the software vendor.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @web-fusion 

I looked up the specs for your PC, and it should run WXP.

HP Pavilion p6240f Desktop PC Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

However, you may have a problem finding drivers for the internal wifi adapter, and the 15 in 1 card reader,

I have a HP business class PC (8000 Elite CMT) that could run XP.  It has the same ntel chipset as yours.

The only thing is, you have to know how to slipstream the storage controller drivers so XP can 'see' the hard drive, or you would have to use a USB FDD and select the exact SATA controller driver your PC uses.

[itsmyname]

@web-fusion -- could I install XP on my machine

Another option is to install a product like VMWARE, create a virtual machine, and install XP into that virtual machine.  XP will then run inside a "window" on your computer.  This might be more simple than dual-boot and a second disk-drive, and probably less expensive.

See: VM VirtualBox | Virtualization | Oracle Canada  for a free alternative to VMWARE.

[VH2000]

You can run an XP-Installation on any suitable machine supporting XP. Prepare that with all drivers even for printers etc.

Then you can convert this installation to a VHD using disk2vhd.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/disk2vhd

Then install a Virtual Machine on any PC you like. It can be an UEFI-Machine as well.

VMware Workstation Player herunterladen | VMware | DE

Import the XP-VHD and everything works perfect. You can use old printers, old scanners etc.

Don't try to use DUAL Boot.

[Prométhée]

Hello
what idea, what to be lost
the solutions, by virtual machine, yes, but ...
possible, to test, but if to play, I'm afraid that it will not always be efficient
you obviously have room for an additional HDD
You can find one for not too expensive, if you already have what it takes to install windows xp, not pirate, it goes without saying!

in your place, I would consider installing on HDD, without touching the one in place, to test
to work around the sata problem, see, if you have the ide option
in the bios, it's easier
you will not be able to use the original hdd, it's just for testing
if necessary you can try in sata mode afterwards
So you disconnect the original HDD, you install the new one
Then you switch to ide, if possible in the bios
then install Xp
You can see if it works and if you can find the drivers
I installed it on a computer from 2009, in ide, and at the time I was able to switch it to Ahci, without reinstalling, you may be able to do it
The computer, worked with windows vista of origin uprgade in windows 7, windows 7 only, and windows xp

You may be able to install xp without too much problem
Up to you

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @web-fusion 

Yes, if you want to change the drive controller to IDE, you can install WXP with no problem.

I just don't use that method because I have the necessary tools and drivers to install XP in ACHI or RAID mode (as applicable) right from the get-go.

I can give you the step-by-step instructions to switch from IDE to AHCI mode (AHCI provides much better drive performance), since I have and know what specific XP AHCI storage controller driver you need to install.

[itsmyname]

@web-fusion -- you obviously have room for an additional HDD. You can find one for not too expensive, 

If you have a "modern" computer, it probably has a 250 GB disk-drive or even larger.

So, rather than wasting your money on a "previously-owned" disk-drive, just dedicate 20 GB of your current disk-drive for use by the Virtual Machine software, because 20 GB is far larger than you need to install XP and to install your one app. 

If you have a "modern" computer, with multiple cores/threads, you have much more processing power than those antique computers that were designed to support XP.   So, while a V.M. is active, you still have lots of processing-power left-over to run Windows 10 and its apps.

Summary: it is efficient to exploit the "high-end" capacity of your modern computer, rather than spending any money for more hardware. 

Plus, when you have completely finished using that app under Windows XP,, you can "shutdown" that virtual XP, and uninstall the VMWARE software, to reclaim the 20 GB of disk-space, if you really need that disk-space.

[Prométhée]

The configuration here is not extraordinary, but sufficient for xp
This is of course not an obligation, but buying a new HDD is not an extra expense either.
again, this is just a suggestion
in short, let's go

@Paul_Tikkanen 
"Yes, if you want to change the drive controller to IDE, you can install WXP with no problem.
I just don't use that method because I have the necessary tools and drivers to install XP in ACHI or RAID mode (as applicable) right from the get-go."

There is a little manipulation, unfortunately doesn't seem to work with all configurations, and I'm not sure I can guide for it
I had succeeded at the time without too much difficulty, it suffices to do some manipulation, while windows is installed in IDE
But you need the right sata / ahci controller
If we get there, then all you have to do is restart, go to the bios, then switch back to AHCI
If this is correct, the computer restarts, no need to reinstall
Unfortunately, this method, had failed with a newer computer, I did not succeed in having the correct controller.
I was still in the idea, so, since it was just to troubleshoot, I just had to go back to AHCI, when I was using seven
But what I indicate, it is especially, for the test, the installation being simpler in ide, normally
In any case, for me, using a virtual machine, if it is for playing, is not the best option.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Depending on the hardware ID of the drive controller, it would be one of these two.

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3A02&CC_0106.DeviceDesc = "Intel(R) ICH10D/DO SATA AHCI Controller"
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3A22&CC_0106.DeviceDesc = "Intel(R) ICH10R SATA AHCI Controller"

My 8000 Elite uses the first one.