I would strongly recommend if you need to run Windows XP, you should install and use it in a virtual machine

program such as VMware Player or Oracle Virtual Box . When dual booting with Windows 8, the older operating system should be installed first. Because you are using a modern computer, it is likely your system does not suppo rt Windows XP. Also, attempting to dual boot with Windows 8 might render the system in operable : You can use alternatives such as Oracle VirtualBox or VMWare Player. https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads VMware Player; http://downloads.vmware.com/d/details/player_401/dGpkYnRwd3didGRwQA== ----------------------If you are considering dual booting still, at a minimum, backup your Windows 8 i nstallation: http://techingiteasy.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/how-to-backup-your-windows-8-insta llation/

It is important you have a reinstallation or repair disc in case you need to rei nstall or repair your WIndows 8 installation. The following article will show you how to create a repair disc (references Wind ows 7, same instructions for Windows 8): http://notebooks.com/2011/02/09/how-to-create-a-system-repair-disc-in-windows-7/

Drivers for Windows XP:

You should first find out if your computer is compatible with Windows XP. A lot more modern computers are phasing out support for Windows XP.

Create Partition Open a Run command (Press Windows key + R) on your keyboard. Then type diskmgmt. msc then hit Enter on your keyboard. Once Disk Management is open, select the C:\ or where Windows 8 is installed. Right click it and click Shrink menu.

Wait while Windows 8 checks for available disk space. Enter the amount you want to allocate. Click OK. The Disk Management window should display unallocated disk space. --------------------------------------------

Install Windows XP In order to install Windows XP on the partition you created, you will need to bo ot into your BIOS and set the hard disk mode to IDE. -------------------------------------------After you have set the hard disk IDE mode, you can proceed to install Windows XP on the partition you created; Insert your Windows XP CD, then restart your computer. When prompted to boot from the CD, do so. This requires pressing any key on your keyboard. Windows XP will go through its setup process. Once you arrive at the Welcome Setup, press Enter on your keyboard to begin the setup process Press F8 on your keyboard to accept the license agreement Select the partition Select Format the partition using the NTFS file system Press F on your keyboard to begin the formatting. Installation files will now be copied to your hard disk Your system will be restarted, Windows XP setup will continue ----------------------------------------------

After Windows XP installs successfully, you will not be able to boot into Window s 8 This is where the recovery disc for Windows 8 comes in. Boot from the Windows 8 DVD a) At the Install Now screen b) Click Repair your computer c) Click Advanced Options

d) Click Troubleshoot e) Click Startup repair f) Follow the on screen instructions -------------------------------------------After you have repaired your Windows 8 installation and try to boot it, you will notice that Windows 8 does not boot. Boot into the BIOS again and set the hard disk mode to SATA. You will now be abl e to boot into Windows 8 again. ------------------------------------------After doing that, download EasyBCD and add a boot entry for Windows XP to the Wi ndows 8 boot manager; EasyBCD by NeoSmart Technologies would be your answer, it provides a graphical f ront end to the BCDEdit Command line that makes it easy for you to define startup settings and edit boot entries on the new Windowsboot manager. http://neosmar t.net/dl.php?id=1

-----------------------------------------The next step now is make it possible for Windows 8 to boot in IDE mode. Here are the instructions for doing that: http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/271218-switch-ahci-ide-tutorial-howto .html Welcome all , so let me explain I installed Windows 8 With AHCI set from Bios , but after that i wanted to use ide (becose it boots faster) and when i set Ide f rom Bios , the windows 7 loading screan camed upp and BSOD (Blue screen of death ) with an error code 0x0000005B , i tryed the regedit trick by setting in the "H KEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesMsahci" and then in the right pa n the START value from 0 i set it to 1 and it supposed to be working but it was a failiure , it still did the Bsod and i was so pissed of , i wanted to make it work ... AND I DID IT ! Here are the pases : 1) I assume u have installed Windows Vista or Windows 8 with AHCI set from BIOS ! 2) Download my registry fix (to add the ide keys to regeditor) simply apply the key 3) Now the manually regedit part Go to : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_System_CurrentControlSet_Services_Msahci HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_System_CurrentControlSet_Services_iaStor HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_System_CurrentControlSet_Services_iaStorV And in thease three keys in the right pan u will find a key named "START" chang e at all three (Msahci,iaStor,iaStorV) values from 0 To 1 Now navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_System_CurrentControlSet_Services_PciIde ,then change the start value to "0"

4) Now u are allmost done , restart your computer/laptop , and go to Bios and s et from AHCI to IDE !!! , save settings in Bios and restart 5)Windows will be loading , and VOILA !!! NO BSOD !!! , windows Vista/Seven wil l install new Ide drivers and u will see in windows device manager that you dont have AHCI drivers anymore , u have Ide drivers ! 6)It will prompt for another restart , just restart it and u will be happy