reinstallin and older version of windows

[sam510]

hello i decided to try out windows vista and i hate it. i want to install media center again but its not letting me. it says there is a newer version of windows installed. and i dont want to format my hd cuz i got important data on it.

[GX1_Man]

If it is not in Add and Remove programs you are SOL. There will be no way to revert back other than formatting the drive. Playing with OS'es can get you in trouble, and you should always back up your data before doing something like this.

[Dusty]

What file system does Vista use :-?  Would the data files be accessible if the hdd was slaved on a pc running XP or Media Center :-?

Good luck

[Neil]

If you have your "my documents" folder password protected, and especially, locked to other users, make sure you undo it before slaving the harddrive to another computer. Don't make my mistake.

[GX1_Man]

That's an excellent point. Many people have "password protected" their files from themselves.