Removing Vista and reinstalling XP... how to do it?

[Guest]

Hello

I have an older PC running an eval of Windows Vista and I now want to put my
licensed copy of XP Media Center Edition back on there.

The obvious route was to boot from the XP CD, run install, and delete and
reformat the partition that had Vista on it and install XP in the new
partition.

However when I do this, upon next reboot during XP install, I simply get the
message "Error Loading Operating System".

I have heard that Vista mucks with the boot sector in some way such that
this happens.

The question is how can I wipe the last traces of the Vista stuff from my
hard drive so I can reinstall XP.

Note: I already deleted the Vista partition, reformatted it (quick format).
There is only one drive and one partition, FYI

Thanks in advance
SS

 

[John Inzer]

Hello

I have an older PC running an eval of Windows Vista and I now want to
put my licensed copy of XP Media Center Edition back on there.

The obvious route was to boot from the XP CD, run install, and delete
and reformat the partition that had Vista on it and install XP in the
new partition.

However when I do this, upon next reboot during XP install, I simply
get the message "Error Loading Operating System".

I have heard that Vista mucks with the boot sector in some way such
that this happens.

The question is how can I wipe the last traces of the Vista stuff
from my hard drive so I can reinstall XP.

Note: I already deleted the Vista partition, reformatted it (quick
format). There is only one drive and one partition, FYI

Thanks in advance
SS

=====================================
Maybe the following article will offer some ideas:

(933168) How to restore a computer to a
previous Windows installation after you install
Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168/en-us

--

John Inzer
MS Picture It! -
Digital Image MVP

Digital Image
Highlights and FAQs
http://tinyurl.com/aczzp

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

 

[Guest]

How would I get a command prompt when booting from an XP MCE2005 CD?
Remember right now there is NO operating system on the hard drive, the only
way to boot is from the CD.

 

[John Barnes]

You can boot into the recovery console at the first options page. Option R
if I recall