Is it possible to run Windows XP on a Dell Inspiron 15R-5537

Hi,

Is it possible to run Windows XP on a Dell Inspiron 15R -5537 (which came with Windows 8). If it isn't, can you run Windows XP on a computer that was built for Windows 8 or 10? I am currently dual booting 7 and Vista and I want to install XP on a separate partition.

 

If I understand you correctly:
Your laptop's hard drive currently has 2 partitions and is dual booting Windows Vista And Windows 7?
You want to create a 3rd partition in your laptop's hard drive and install Windows XP in it?

Advise us what the exact 7-character "service tag" number is on your laptop.
Once we know what hardware it came with, we can determine if it's compatible with Windows XP.

 

Yes. I want to install XP on a 3rd partition
Service tag: 2Z70402

 

According to that service tag number:
You have this Dell Inspiron 15R 5537 laptop

According to its system configuration section, it came with:
Intel Core i7-4500U 1.80 GHz dual core processor (4th generation)
Intel HD Graphics 4400 integrated graphics
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 wireless

The above described processor, graphics device, and wireless device do not support Windows XP, so you will run into installation and driver issues.

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Now to the problem of trying to install Windows XP in triple boot mode in a laptop which already has Windows Vista and Windows 7 installed.

To do it properly, you need to install those 3 operating systems in order by oldest to newest:
Windows XP first
Windows Vista second
Windows 7 third

If you fail to do that and you install Windows XP third, you will be unable to use Windows Vista and Windows 7.
My advice is to leave things as they are.

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It is possible to install XP on a machine like that if you go driverhunting, but you do need to install XP first. Windows XP is older and thus its boot-loader does not support loading other newer Operating systems. If you install XP last, then it will overwrite your MBR with the Windows XP boot-loader and thus the Windows Vista/7 OS's will become unusable.

 

I'd buy a dedicated laptop for running Windows XP. I have a Dell Latitude D820 and it runs Windows XP well. The laptop was only $40.

 

Hehe, that's kind of what I'm doing. Granted, my device actually came with Windows 8.1 and then I had to install XP on it with Easyboot+DPMS AHCI drivers and going driverhunting on drp.su, I got it for free and you know nothing beats free stuff

 

I tried installing a Windows XP with AHCI drivers integrated, but however I got a BSOD on first boot after installation. How do I fix this?

BSOD:

 

Try using Easy2Boot. Windows XP Setups can fail even if you integrate AHCI drivers by nLite(because you probably chose the wrong AHCI/SATA/RAID driver).

Easy2Boot has the entire DPMS library of AHCI drivers and scans your PCI Device Instance ID for the correct driver to use.

However, Easy2Boot contrary to its name, can be a bit counter-intuitive to get running, but I managed to use it properly. If you have any questions on how to use it, lemme know.

 

I did use it. I used the option to install Windows XP in WinPE. I still got a BSOD. I can’t install Windows XP the regular way. (Install XP- Step 1) It does not let me. It freezes when it’s about to boot. So should I use an alternate method?

 

I got XP running on the Dell. However, it does not detect networks.

 

What wireless card do you have?

 

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_08B1&SUBSYS_44628086&REV_73

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_08B1&SUBSYS_44628086

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_08B1&CC_028000

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_08B1&CC_0280

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_08B1&REV_73

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_08B1

PCI\VEN_8086&CC_028000

PCI\VEN_8086&CC_0280

PCI\VEN_8086

PCI\CC_028000

PCI\CC_0280

 

Those vendor and device codes are for the Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 that I mentioned in post #4.

The Intel and Microsoft Update Catalog sites both have driver support only for Windows 7 and 8/8.1 and 10.

They do not have driver support for Windows XP and Vista.

I discovered that 2 years ago when I upgraded my Dell Precision M6400 laptop to that same wireless card.

 

If your built-in WIFI is not supported by XP you will need to purchase a USB adapter. It's hard to find newer hardware that still has XP drivers but here's one I purchased on EBay in the US that has drivers for XP, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 as well as Linux. I have used it with XP and can therefore confirm it works.

https://www.ebay.com/p/JJINGER-W95168OA-AC600-Dual-Band-Wifi-Adapter/27033524598?iid=183230767043&rt=nc

It is based on the Realtek RT8811 chipset and supports 802.11a, b, g, n, ac in 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The swivel antenna is detachable. Great value for the price since you can use it on any of your Windows PCs.

I have tested the adapter successfully with Windows 7 and 10, haven't tested Windows 8/8.1.

 

I purchased a Netis WF2190 dual band USB adapter which is based on the Realtek RTL8812AU chipset.
You can use it with its extender cable or plug it into a USB port.
It works great and supports ALL Windows versions from XP to 10.
http://www.netis-systems.com/Home/detail/id/96.html