How do you install WinXP on a new system with Vista pre load

Read http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?forumID=133&threadID=238817&messageID=2487295#2487295 as to how to install XP. However to get a dual boot of XP and Vista if you don't have a full retail copy of Vista ($$$ !!!) is not supported.

Bob

On our brand-name computers, we've created the Vista Recovery Discs from the Recovery partition, then wiped the hard drive completely using a disc wipe program such as DBAN.

Once that's done, install XP by repartitioning the drive, reformatting, and running the XP disc... Recognize that this isn't for the faint at heart or newbies.. You'll need to find all the correct hardware drivers for ALL the hardware on the machine, and you'll need to have a FULL XP SP2 disc, PLUS, if the hard drive is SATA, you'll want to have the SATA drivers on a floppy.. See the link below for a discussion about a number of folks who have "downgraded" to XP from Vista:

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?forumID=133&threadID=243153&messageID=2460401

Later, should you decide to revert back to Vista, you should be able to use the Recovery discs to do so.

But as mentioned earlier, none of this is supported by Microsoft or the computer manufacturer.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Let's put this into a nutshell, I won't use an OEM version of windows as all too often it creates problems(salvageable?). Have access to full retail versions of the OSes in question and proceed from there. Just be sure to have access to proper sized partitions and if possible don't use partition s/w for this purpose, but you can(if applicable). Upon OS install, install the older OS first then the newest, next. Of course have access to all driver CDs, floppies, etc. so when asked can be installed and continue on. Once, you get all this, then the other processes fall into place.

All, the other posts here do offer good advise, just beware if you've never done this, expect problems of some sort. Understand, using the OEM version of Vista maybe so restrictive, it won't allow a dual boot(easy setup) or you don't have access to certain pgms. and/or files even if from a 3rd party available. Of course, there's nothing to say, you can use XP alone provided you have proper drivers and then tackle this problem at a later date for Vista dual OS mode.

tada -----Willy

Here's another help link for your quest:
http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp

-----Willy

i am getting a new computer and i was thinking about installing a new hard drive and install windows xp & use that as a master drive and use the the other drive with vista as a slave drive,i think that be done.then you have xp and vista.?

rich

This is a job better left to your I.T. Department but it's definately do-able. Before you start anything, make sure the manufacturer has drivers for your unit that support Windows XP. If not, it might be a pain getting devices to function properly. If there are then you'll need a boot utility disc that will allow you to delete and re-create the hard drive partitions(s) on the PC. Once that's accomplished, you'll need the XP media plus licensing, either a Volume license, or a retail purchase disc/cd-key that is not installed on any other PC. Then it's just a matter of booting to the XP installation disc, formatting drive, updating drivers... .

* Note * If the Vista installation your removing did not come with disc(s), acquire instruction on burning a recovery/installation CD/DVD before you delete Vista in case you ever want to re-install it on that same unit. Remember OEM installation software (license) is tied to that particular unit. You can not use an un-used/removed Vista/License on a different unit.

Have you tried VMWare? I think V.6 works in Vista. There's no dual boot involved; XP runs in a window.

The easiest way to do it without having confusion while using the machine would be to have a second hard drive with the same specs as the original, same brand, size, speed everything. That way the computer doesnt have to reconfigure for the new drive type every time you swap the drive. It would work even with a different drive but we are looking for simplicity here. Then install a removable caddy that supports the drive type you have allready and thus the new drive, makes sure to plug the caddy drive cable into the same port the original hard disk was connected to. Now just put in the new drive in the caddy that is turn on the machine with a copy of win XP in the CD rom or dvd rom with the bios set to boot from it. Load xp and set it up as you would normally. If you want to use Vista, which I for sure wouldnt understand as I have it and brother,,well I'll skip that,,anyway whatever system you want to use just put that drive in before you turn on the machine. I use EZ Swap2 Caddys. They are fast reliable, hot swappable if your motherboard supports it and best of all they use Direct Connect inside so you never have to mess with plugging anything in. Just slip in the drive and turn on the machine. I have been doing this since the first betas of Vista came out and have had no problems at all. None ,,, nota,,,,zilch and thats good. I even have a raid0 stripe drive that has all my music and photos and data files that I use and it works (all the data) equally well with either OS. So I dont have to have dupes of 125 gigs of tunes, vids and photos. Good luck. There are for sure other ways but none as simple if you can afford the caddy and another drive.

This is not a dual boot in the normal sense, but lets you use both OSs. It will also void your warranty.

got to: http://imhdd.ms11.net/switch/sw01.html

This is nice in that you don't touch the Vista and it doesn't see the XP or vise versa. You only have to modify the front of the case permanently and you have a second hard drive when you convert to one system.

1. buy a new hard drive for your computer. ~$120
2. buy a double pole double throw centeroff toggle switch.<$3.50
3. scavange a set of drive connectors from a scrap power supply. Free
4. obtain about a foot of bare 14 guage copper wire for connector pins. Free

Other goodies - tape or cable wrap. a drill for the toggle switch, possibly epoxy, and "liquid" eletrical tape for insulation.

Read the directions and decide if you want to proceed. Its simple and it works, I have a switchable xp/Linux system. the only reason I keep xp is for games and a couple of programs I haven't bought for linux. Most everything is in Linux now.

ok good