You first download the iso type disk image into a folder for later burn onto a cd-r. While the Vista installer does have improved partitioning tools and better hardware detection then XP GParted is still an easy tool to use once you've used it a few times.
The last "platform independent" version for all types of partitions, MS, Linux, and others is the 0.3.3.0 version found at
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=115843&package_id=173828
When you first go to download it you have to scroll about 12 versions and click on the (+) sign at the left to open the information for each release. Look under the architecture catagory on the right side of the screen to see whether it's that version or simply shows I386 meaning IBM standard compatible but limited to Linux only.
Once burned onto a cd-r not rw of any type as a bootable disk you press the enter at each of the 4 prompts to reach the main gui. There large buttons on the menu with a drive/partition selector seen at the right end there. That will show HDa for hard drive #1. If you have both ide and sata hard drives the first ide drive will be HDa. The ide will always override sata even there for rirst place.
If you wander by changing settings you will have to reboot since the default settings is all you need. Ignore the 24bit/32bit option since Linux is 24 not 32bit. The default 1024x768 screen resolution unless you have a large will show the drive selector button. The 1280x1024 will push that offscreen.
The program used for burning has to support creating bootable cds once burning an iso image to disk not simply a data disk. If you have a cd writer but need a program the free version of BurnOn found at
http://www.burnworld.com/burnoncddvd/ has worked great here for burning several copies. You will see an IE winodw open after each burn for the option of buying the retail version however. That's a minor annoyance for using a good burning program. Others use Deep Burner for this.