OS help needed

[Guest]

Had Windows 7 Home Premium x64 installed on a 2TB hard drive that's been partitioned so that it's split into two 1TB hard drives.

Tried to install Windows 8 as a dual-boot, but instead replaced Windows 7, and then crashed HARDCORE.

I've been trying to install Windows XP (since I have the disc) but for some reason, I can't install it. System recovery won't work, so I haven't had any luck trying to re-install Windows 7 or 8. I want to install XP, since it's the only other OS I have that has a legitimate CD key that will work, but my system isn't allowing me to install the OS. I've tried to recover Windows 8, but I can't get it to work. I don't have a Windows 7 or Windows 8 disc/file to work with (the Windows 8 OS file got deleted, so I don't have it anymore), nor do I have the monthly data to be able to download them, so that's out of the option. I also don't have any friends with the discs or files, so trying to install XP is my only option.

Is there any reason why Windows XP (or any operating system for that matter) would not be able to install on my hard drive?? It's a SATA hard drive.

Do I have to wipe the hard drive clean for me to be able to install another operating system on it?

I honestly don't know what I'm doing wrong.

 

[luciferano]

XP might be fighting with your SATA drive. A USB or IDE/PATA drive is more likely to work. I think that some XP disks lack SATA driver support.

 

[unksol]

YES wipe the drive clean. But windows should do that for you at install. If it does not see the drive download your SATA drivers and load them when prompted by windows setup

 

[luciferano]

Oh yes, loading the SATA drivers that way should also work.

 

[PaulR08]

Also, you can check to see if the BIOS can recognize the hard drive before starting a format and re-install. If it doesn't see the drive, check the cables.