Loading XP Pro over Vista

[knarlybill]

How do I load XP Pro on a machine that currently has Vista on it. I have heard you have to totally format the drive. How do you do that in Vista?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

If you want to completely remove Vista and install Windows XP, you will need the Windows XP CD.
If you have it, you will have to boot from the CD and follow the instructions.

Note, this will remove *everything* currently on the Hard Disk (including all your programs and files)

[knarlybill]

So, I take it that it will load over Vista? And yes, I have a new XP Pro installation disk. I was told by someone that Vista would not let you load an older OS, like XP, over it.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

That's if you want to Dual Boot Windows Vista and XP. There are ways to do it the other way but to do that, you need to load Vista before XP.

In your case, you can use your XP CD to go over Vista.

[patio]

Vista will not let you install an older OS...
You will need a bootdisk to format that drive before attemptiong an install of XP
You should collect all the drivers for that machine beforehand to avoid headaches.

The bootdisks can be found at bootdisk.com

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Oh, I thought you could just pop the disc in there...