Introduction: Format Dell Computers - Downgrade to XP From Vista

I don't know if this is helpful or if I'm just retarded. I've been trying to format a Dell Dimension E520 for about a month now and I just figured it out. Everytime I tried to format from the XP CD it'd stop a few mins after it started with a blue screen error.

It turns out this has someting to do with the RAID setting in the BIOS (F2 at startup).

GO TO:
- F2 at startup
- Drives
- SATA Operation

in this option it is set at RAID: On
the only other option is RAID: Autodetect / ATA
set it to RAID: Autodetect / ATA and save and exit now restart with the XP CD in the drive and boot from CD.

everything should run smooth and normal now. it worked first shot for me and I haven't had a problem. the Dimension E520 is a decent machine with XP on it. does everything it needs to do for my GF who is an occasional Comp user. it was a paper weight with Vista on it

hope this helps crappy dell users out there.

(This worked for DELL computers (PC's) I have encountered. I have no idea if this will work on any other machine)