Um how do I revert back to XP from Vista?

T

tenx10

New Member
And yes I did try
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933170

Or how would I go about to just reformatting the hard drive that contains vista. I right click on my my computer and went to manage and all that. But the format and delete are whited out.

Also I just want to note that I have vista installed twice by accident. One of the vista was installed on to the wrong hard drive which is now c: (use to be f: ) The other vista is now d: (use to be c: ) and also contains the "windows old" folder.

I probably wouldn't mind vista If I can get my resolution working. 1024x768 is the max. When my native is 1440x900.
 
you can't delete the partition while you're using it!

windows installation cd's are bootable

just boot from your xp disc, and you can delete the partition from there.

it's the very 1st blue screen, before the installer even restarts your computer the first time.
 
Surprise! Vista is a new version of Windows where you will more then likely need a drive eraser or partitioning tool to delete the current partition on the drive with the second installation. The first drive to see Vista has the Windows.old folder since Vista now saves the old Windows, DocumentsandSettings, and Program Files directories so you can rescue files from them before deletion.

XP can't delete the new boot folder seen on the root of the drive either. Even a Vista install on a different drive will see the access denied error. If you have no important files remaining on the drives the fast way to delete all traces of Vista along with creating new NTFS primary type partitions is the free Linux drive tool known as GParted live for cd or a retail product like Partition Magic. For the screen resolution you have to download the Vista drivers for the video card. NVidia was behind ATI but those should be available for download unless your card is too old and no longer supported.
 
PC eye said:
Surprise! Vista is a new version of Windows where you will more then likely need a drive eraser or partitioning tool to delete the current partition on the drive with the second installation.
Click to expand...

Who needs fancy software to 'erase' a drive? Just get a chisel and a mallet.
 
JamesC said:
Who needs fancy software to 'erase' a drive? Just get a chisel and a mallet.
Click to expand...

cute! real cute! :rolleyes: GParted or Sourceforge's Eraser is no elaborate software but more practical Linux tools that work well and are free of charge besides the cost of a cd-r. The program that readily burn the iso image to a bootable cd also has a free version of BurnOn. For $.35 and the burn time you can't go wrong. :D
 
Could you use the partitioning and formatting software that's supplied by hard drive makers, like Maxtor's MaxBlast or Western Digital's Data Lifeguard or Seagate's Seatools (depending on the HD's maker, of course) before doing a clean install of XP? They usually have an option to fully format the drive or zero out all the data.
Tom
 
You can use a drive utility provided by the company for deletion but not creating a new primary. Those are more or less dos type tools used when booting from a floppy with some able to run from a second hard drive depending on what it is. Some of those will be zero fill types. Others are drive diagnostic tools.

GParted 0.3.3.0 is the fastest to load over the older versions of the platform independent releases. The older 0.2.8.1.1 release before that goes through a longer process just to load up. I keep about 4 or 5 cd-rs burned in case someone needs to wipe a drive, part one out, or is adding a new one in. I'll say here have a copy for your cd case. You can do quite a bit with it. Just remember to choose the NTFS primary from the drop down list instead of VFat for Linux, Fat16, Fat32, or one of the others. You don't want an extended either. Once you click the apply button it goes to work.
 
Okay, thanks for the headsup. If I got a pc with Vista, chances are I'd go over it with XP my own self, so this will help. TY.
 
PC eye said:
You can use a drive utility provided by the company for deletion but not creating a new primary.
Click to expand...

Yes you can, with W/D Lifeguard you can partition with FAT 32 and NTSF and even make mulitiple partitions and format
 
Last edited:
StrangleHold said:
Yes you can, with W/D Lifeguard you can partition with FAT 32 and NTSF and even make mulitiple partitions and format
Click to expand...

They probably added some of that with the newer releases of the Data Lifeguard tools like what is seen in their FAQ section as such.

"The Data Lifeguard Tools 11 CD will allow you to partition and format an internal hard drive larger than 137GB. To set up your hard drive using the Data Lifeguard Tools 11 CD, please follow the steps below:" http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc...y5zZWFyY2hfZm5sJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1

Their earlier versions simply addressed the 137gb limitation seen with 98 and ME and only allowed for creation of Fat type partitions.

"Windows 98SE and Windows ME were designed at a time when hard drives larger than 137GB were not yet available to the public. It is possible, however, to use a hard drive larger than 137GB with Windows 98SE or Windows ME. To setup a large hard drive for use in Windows 98SE or Windows ME, please use the solution below:" http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc...y5zZWFyY2hfZm5sJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1

The main page for downloads is seen at http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp?swid=1
 
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