[Aesrin]

I recently purchased the Ultimate version of vista, and i can't stand it. Game and driver compatibility issues everywhere i look! I don't have a windows XP disc (i bought my computer from clearance), but luckily i DID make an HP recovery disc before installing vista.

So, the question is, how can i get XP back without losing all my files? I have about 200Gb worth of data that i really don't want to lose. I thought about using a hard drive enclosure to back up my data, but i haven't been able to find one. In all honesty, i would rather not have to pay for an enclosure to get rid of this junky Vista. I realise that all my programs will be uninstalled even if the data isn't removed, and this is no biggie to me.

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated, and i will be checking regularly for the next 3-4 hours.

Thanks in advance!

[DoubleHelix]

Using the recovery disks will wipe everything from the drive. There's no way around that. You need to backup your files. You should be doing this regularly anyway since you say you can't afford to lose your data.

[Aesrin]

I appreciate your help, guess i'm just going to have to go out and buy an enclosure for my 2nd drive =(

[craigal]

Another option is to mount this 2nd drive inside your PC.

You can then backup your data to this drive and reinstall the OS to the first drive.

Craig

[MMJ]

Do you have another partition?

[guitar]

or use a usb to ide adapter cable i bought one on ebay for $5

[DoubleHelix]

You should not use a partition on the same main drive to back up your data. You need a completely separate drive. If the main one fails, is corrupted, or something goes wrong during partitioning, you've lost the original copy of the files and the pseudo "backup".

[techy689]

Best recommendation would be to buy an external hard drive.

[Dark Cyan]

Don't forget that you can run any program in Compatibility Modes. Just right click your shortcut, choose Properties, click the Compatibility tab, then choose to run the program in compatibility mode of, say, XP SP2. You only have to do it once and it sticks to the shortcut until you change it otherwise.