How do I install windows XP on Compaq CQ40 327TU laptop

If your C drive take up all the 250GB, and the used data is not up to 250 GB( I means there are some free space on your c drive) you could use other partition software to release some free space ( resize partition) then create new partition, with the help of partition software, it could apply the operation without re install OS.

You will need a seperate program to do that. Do a search for a free partition manager program. Be careful and backup important files before attempting.

if you create a new partition on your hard drive with anything but partition magic or something similar, the process of creating the partition will wipe all data from the entire hard drive to resize the partition. you will probably need to re-install Windows fresh unless the utility you used just happens to have an undo (not very likely) playing with partition sizes of used drives is not advisable.

There are 2 issues,
One is hardware and the second is software.
First check if is well installed upon the bios.
Sometime you will need to download third party software(pre-boot bios software) to make it run correctly.
Some model of laptop support small size hard disk.
So you will have to use utility like "ezdrive" or "maxblast.exe" corresponding the make of hard-disk and the model you are using.
Now while installing windows create partition for the operating system separately
Some old version of xp sp2 support 137gb maximum size, so check this...
Cheers
uttam

compaq cq40 is one particular model from compaq which is literally designed for vista and when you want to install win xp ;it doesn't work becoz the BIOS block it;the only way out is to downgrade the system BIOS which is a risky thing.check your bios model and version and google for a lower version and download it and flash the ealier BIOS.gooogle more on How to downgrade BIOS

The quickest solution here would be to put the hard drive into a computer that has Windows already running, and format it through the operating system itself. I've run into this problem a few times, and when another computer wasn't available I would use a Linux boot disk to clear out all my partition tables, then I would load up with Windows XP and tell it to write a new NTFS partition. Do NOT select the 'quick format' option, you'll have to wait through the long one.

Its true. the Bios or HDD driver wont allow you to install Win XP on it.. This BIOS is compatible with only Win Vista. The only easy way to do it is by creating 2 partitions while installing vista. once vista is installed- install XP with Dual boot and than format the vista partition.

Hello
if you have to little space on your C partition you can resize it, if you using vista.

1. right click on my computer->manage
2. choose storage->disk management
3. right click on the C volume and extend volume
4. put more space on C and then OK. that should solv your problem

you can also move your swap file to D: that gonna save some space on C.
1. rightclick on computer ->properties
2. click advanced system settings
3. click on the advanced tab settings on performance.
4. choose advanced tab->change
5. click on D: and write a custom size(it should be double of your amount of ram)
6. click set
7. then click C in same window and choose "no paging file"
8. click set and ok, then restart your computer.

good luck dont forget to vote.

Good programs for that include Partition Magic, or Disk Partition manager... Yea, they come in free trials, but they do the job >.< Use em for what u need and uninstall >.<