Unable to install XP over Vista

[Joe]

I am currently running on Vista reduced functionality.

I have tried to boot off of XP disc and it checks for compatability and
either states there's an error or stops. It never gives me the option to
partition a drive.

When I log onto the reduced fucntionality mode, and access the XP
installation disc, click setup in the disc's folder: either the Install
Windows XP link is not highlilghted, or when it is, i click Install Windows
XP, it states:

set up cannot continue because the version of windows on your computer is
newer than the version on the CD. The help link which checks for a solution
states that their is no solution and doesn't bring me to a microsoft url for
help.

I have put the installation disc into another computer and it works fine.

Please let me know if you know what's going on here.

Thanks,

Joe Sal

 

[Mick Murphy]

Go into BIOS at startup and set your CD/DVD Drive to be 1st in the Boot
Order; insert XP disk, reboot, load XP files, delete existing Vista
partition, format drive , install XP

It will tell you at the bottom of the startup screen what Key to hit to get
into bios; either Delete or F2; or hit F12 for boot menu.
Either way will suit you.

 

[S.SubZero]

You can't "upgrade" to XP from Vista, as the XP install disc can't
know what Vista is.

As far as not being able to partition the hard disk, your hard disk
may be running on a controller or with a setting that XP doesn't
know. You may want to look for information on the website of whoever
made your system.

 

[Saucy]

There is no 'upgrade' path from Vista to XP. Any installation of XP will
there will be a 'clean' install [and not an upgrade to a currently installed
operating system].

Yes, you can install froom the XP CD-ROM:

Boot from the CD ROM, then start to go through the steps to *install* XP.
Don't bother with the 'Recovery Console' - even if you simply want to
re-partition at this point - as it won't work.

If you simply want to re-partition, boot from the XP CD-ROM go through the
motions of an XP install - you will get to the part of the install routine
where you can (re)parition the harddrives - do as you will e.g. remove all
partitions - then if you want to stop there, use F3 to exit out of the
install routine instead of continuing on.

I hope you understand that reformatting / repartitioning wipes all the data
from the drive partition. So if you have anything you ever want to see again
make sure to do a backup to somewhere off the drive beforehand.

Saucy

 

[Alias]

I am currently running on Vista reduced functionality.

I have tried to boot off of XP disc and it checks for compatability and
either states there's an error or stops. It never gives me the option to
partition a drive.

When I log onto the reduced fucntionality mode, and access the XP
installation disc, click setup in the disc's folder: either the Install
Windows XP link is not highlilghted, or when it is, i click Install Windows
XP, it states:

set up cannot continue because the version of windows on your computer is
newer than the version on the CD. The help link which checks for a solution
states that their is no solution and doesn't bring me to a microsoft url for
help.

I have put the installation disc into another computer and it works fine.

Please let me know if you know what's going on here.

Thanks,

Joe Sal

Do you have a SATA hard drive?

Alias

 

[AlexB]

Do you have a SATA hard drive?

Alias

 

[AlexB]

Do you have a SATA drive?

What else an idiot Al-Alias could ask else?

What does it have to do with the problem? How does a SATA drive influences
the fact that the OP is unable to install an older OS over Vista? What if
the drive is SATA, then what? The next question by an idiot will apparently:
is it RAID1?

Well, to the OP: it is too bad that crooks like Al-Alias hang around here
and get on the way unable to help just creating confusion and hatred.

As far as the substance goes: you CANNOT install an older XP over Vista,
HOWEVER, there are a number of tweaks. I haven't tried any of them. The
source is MSFN.

One link (by spacesurfer):

To install an older Windows operating system on a computer running Windows
Vista, use the following procedure
http://www.msfn.org/board/Install-XP-Vista-Fix-Bootloader-t100672.html

Another post at MSFN (by Spooky) starts like this:

Many questions regarding making XP and Vista boot independently of each
other arise because users face problems when one partition becomes corrupt
or they format their active partition, not knowing they will lose the
ability to boot their OS. Having independent boot would avoid this scenario.
http://www.msfn.org/board/XP-Vista-dual-boot-Independently-t98982.html

Good luck. It is doable but you really do not need XP once you've got Vista.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am currently running on Vista reduced functionality.

I have tried to boot off of XP disc and it checks for compatability and
either states there's an error or stops. It never gives me the option to
partition a drive.

That's probably because the WinXP installation CD lacks the necessary
device drivers to properly access the computers newer components.

When I log onto the reduced fucntionality mode, and access the XP
installation disc, click setup in the disc's folder: either the Install
Windows XP link is not highlilghted, or when it is, i click Install Windows
XP, it states:

set up cannot continue because the version of windows on your computer is
newer than the version on the CD. The help link which checks for a solution
states that their is no solution and doesn't bring me to a microsoft url for
help.

Well, of course you can't use a WinXP Upgrade CD to downgrade from a
newer OS.

There could be a couple possible adverse repercussions of which you
should be aware. First and foremost, if the specific computer model in
question was designed specifically for Vista, there may well be no
WinXP-specific device drivers available to make the computer's diverse
components work properly. Consult the computer's manufacturer about the
availability of device drivers. Secondly, removing an OEM-installed
operating system and replacing it with another will almost invariably
void any and all support agreements and, sometimes, even the warranty.
You would, at the very least, have to re-install Vista before getting
any support from the manufacturer. Again, consult the computer's
manufacturer for specifics. Thirdly, there will be the additional cost
involved in purchasing a WinXP license for this new computer.

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS
installation, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part
of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of
boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

Then, assuming you were successful in obtaining WinXP-specific
device drivers so that the computer can be made to work with WinXP, the
backed up data can be restored and applications (those that are
WinXP-compatible, that is) re-installed.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Alias]

What else an idiot Al-Alias could ask else?

And you claim English is your native language?

LOL!

Alias