[mahoot207]

From what I have read from all the recent posts, I understand that to uninstall vista I have to reformat. I have no idea how to reformat and need some guidance as to how I need to go about it. What I am trying to do is get rid of my 64-bit Vista basic and replace it with my XP professional SP2. How do I do this? I really can't stand Vista any longer...any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Elvandil]

Boot from the XP CD. Follow the prompts to install until it gets to the point where it asks where you want to install it. Read the page and remove all partitions so the drive is completely unallocated. Make a new partition for XP. Format it (quick if you are sure the drive is good) and continue.

[mahoot207]

So, let me get this straigt. Alls I have to do is pop in my XP cd and follow the instrutions it gives me to uninstall Vista and to install XP? I don't have to reformat Vista at all? This is my first time doing something like this, so in a sense, I guess I'm new at it. I have a new computer too and I wanna be sure I don't mess it up. Thanks for the quick reply, but I need further guidance.

[DarklykraD]

Alls I have to do is pop in my XP cd and follow the instrutions it gives me to uninstall Vista and to install XP?

yup, boot from xp disc and format Vista partition

[Elvandil]

Originally Posted by mahoot207

So, let me get this straigt. Alls I have to do is pop in my XP cd and follow the instrutions it gives me to uninstall Vista and to install XP? I don't have to reformat Vista at all? This is my first time doing something like this, so in a sense, I guess I'm new at it. I have a new computer too and I wanna be sure I don't mess it up. Thanks for the quick reply, but I need further guidance.

It's really as easy as it sounds. And messing it up at the very beginning is nothing to worry about since you have nothing to lose by starting over again.

But all you need to do is follow the prompts. Removing the partition and making a new one will remove Vista.

[mahoot207]

Ok, I'll try it and if I run in to any problems...I will be sure to post them on here for more help. Thanks for all your help!

[Elvandil]

We'll be here. Certainly, if you want to mess anything up, now is the time to do it instead of after you get everything installed and set up.

[mahoot207]

Ok, so when I inserted the XP CD into my drive, NOTHING HAPPENED. How do I go about booting from the XP cd?

[mareleigh]

Guys, I am setting at the computer at a computer with a copy of Vista within.. I have formated and changed window systems for over 10 years, found more than one way to get rid of a system.. But not this one.. I have read every one of the comments and recomendations given, nothing works. Xp cd stalls after loading files on the hard drive, and the beautiful window comes up asking if you want to install xp, just hit enter.. Stall.. Tried to install a copy working within vista on the other petitioned disc, No way, will not even allow the option to appear. I have never ran into a program that has such complete control over a computer that the only way I can imagine changing the system is to crash vista, then figuring out how to get to the real c: drive. If you haven't had the opportunity to fight with this os system, you need the experience. The only thing I did have an opportunity to accomplish was to make sure I had all of my files I needed removed. When I finally do figure out how to get rid of Vista and the opportunity to put xp back in this computer, I'll give you a shout on how to do it. Might even take, loading a second hard drive as master and removing the files from this hard drive as a slave. Figure it out somehow........

[Gulo Luseus]

You need to make sure that the computer boots from CD. You can find the option in BIOS- if you dont know how to, shout, and we get clear instructions for you

[mahoot207]

I know how to get into the BIOS menu, when the system starts to boot up it says hit "DEL" to enter setup or "TAB" to enter BIOS. I got into the BIOS menu once, but I didn't see anywhere that I could load th XP CD up. Lemme know!

[pvc_]

BIOS will let you choose what device will boot first, normally it'd be
1) Floppy
2) CD Drive
3) Hard Drive

this problem might be caused because vista locks up all the files and folders that are hosted by vista, so if you boot up using another OS, you may not be able to access those files. I don't know if thats the problem with this guy...

[RootbeaR]

Originally Posted by pvc_

BIOS will let you choose what device will boot first, normally it'd be
1) Floppy
2) CD Drive
3) Hard Drive

this problem might be caused because vista locks up all the files and folders that are hosted by vista, so if you boot up using another OS, you may not be able to access those files. I don't know if thats the problem with this guy...

So you select CD Drive to boot first.
While there, in the BIOS, change HD from SATA to autodetect.

@mareleigh
Windows claims 90% share of PC desktops. I am one of those stats. Running Linux. The stats come from sales. Most PCs' come with MS installed already. They know they are slipping and are trying to make it harder for you to change your PC. After all, they know what is best for you.

I suspect it is your HD settings, change to autodetect.
If no go, either use a 3rd party app. to format drive, then trying XP disc, or, try installing PCLinuxOS on it, then try XP again.
http://spout.ussg.indiana.edu/linux/...glish/preview/

These options have worked for me removing Vista.
P.S. PCLinuxOS has partitioning tools on the LiveCD.
P.P.S. Read Vista EULA. They think they own your PC. If you leave Vista on it, they do.

[jonmcc33]

Originally Posted by mahoot207

I know how to get into the BIOS menu, when the system starts to boot up it says hit "DEL" to enter setup or "TAB" to enter BIOS. I got into the BIOS menu once, but I didn't see anywhere that I could load th XP CD up. Lemme know!

There's a boot order as stated. You can change the BIOS to force the optical drive to be the first in the boot order. Not sure what computer you have though. If you have a Dell you can hit F12 and it will come up with a screen to choose which device to boot from.

When it does start to read the Windows XP CD it will ask you to hit any key to boot from CD. Make sure to hit any key.

Once in the Windows XP installation (all blue screen) select the partition that Windows Vista is on and delete it.

[crjdriver]

In addition to the above posts, do make sure there are xp drivers for ALL of your hardware before you begin. If there are no xp drivers, you are wasting your time.

FWIW I would take vista over xp any day. A much better os IMO.