HELP! Get back to XP

[Guest]

For too many reasons to list, I really want to go back to Windows XP. I have
found some info on this, but all info on this asks for the Windows XP disks.
I have an OEM version (pre-installed). My hard drive is partioned (C and D).
On the C drive is Vista and on the D drive is the backup of Windows XP. Is
there a way that I can change which drive the computer starts from? If I
could change the starting drive to the D drive, would Windows XP load up? Is
there any way I can go back to Windows XP without the disks? Any help is
greatly appreciated!

 

[Guest]

If it is only a backup of XP on D drive I don't think you can. If it was a
dual boot system the boot sector of XP would still be on C drive. Which a
format of C to get Vista off would erase XPs boot if either system would let
you format C with the systems' boot sectors there. If you have a proper Code
Key for XP. You should be able to load XP from another XP disk and use the
key to activate it.
It has to be a "Home"XP disk if the Code Key was for Home. Same goes for
Pro ,if it was "Pro"XP.
Any drivers for the OEM machine should be in the XP backup on D drive.
Reregistering it will not be a problem if the original XP install is over
90 days old.
It should accept it as a new install.
Now to get there is the work. You will need a floppy boot disk. Like "Boot
It NG".
Or if you can get a XP disk? Boot from that ( Set MB boot to "CD-Rom") and
follow the windows to do a "Repair". You should get a Dos Command screen.
At the flashing curser type,(without the quotes and notice the spaces)
"FORMAT C: /FS:NTFS /Q"
I myself would select FAT32 as the File System( /FS:FAT32 ) that way a 98SE
boot disk could do work on it if later needed. And XP works just fine on
FAT32.
The ( /Q ) is for Quick format. Leave that off if you want a full erase
format of "C".
And all this hinges on if the XP repair will allow a format of the "System
Boot Drive"
If it does? Then all you have to do is install XP from the borrowed disk.
Use the XP Code Key you SHOULD have and get any drivers you my need from the
"D" back up.
I did the same thing from a dual boot system. But had to install XP all
over again.
Good Luck.

 

[Lang Murphy]

For too many reasons to list, I really want to go back to Windows XP. I
have
found some info on this, but all info on this asks for the Windows XP
disks.
I have an OEM version (pre-installed). My hard drive is partioned (C and
D).
On the C drive is Vista and on the D drive is the backup of Windows XP.
Is
there a way that I can change which drive the computer starts from? If I
could change the starting drive to the D drive, would Windows XP load up?
Is
there any way I can go back to Windows XP without the disks? Any help is
greatly appreciated!

Try a Windows XP newsgroup...

Lang

 

[Isaac Hunt]

No you need the disks.
Get a 2nd hand copy if need be, you'll have to telephone activate but you'll
be rid of Vista.
Surely a small price to pay?
Welcome back, your pc will thank you.

 

[Frank]

Before installing Vista make a backup of XP and make a boot CD with Acronis
10 and just i case, within minutes you can put XP back