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Thread: Format Hard Drive

  1. #1
    vbnetdev Guest

    Format Hard Drive

    I need to format the hard drive where Vista is on and install Windows XP.
    Please help.



  2. #2
    Carey Frisch [MVP] Guest

    Re: Format Hard Drive

    Clean Install Windows XP
    http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

    --
    Carey Frisch
    Microsoft MVP
    Windows Shell/User
    Microsoft Community Newsgroups
    news://msnews.microsoft.com/


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "vbnetdev" wrote:

    | I need to format the hard drive where Vista is on and install Windows XP.
    | Please help.



  3. #3
    Rick Rogers Guest

    Re: Format Hard Drive

    Hi,

    Boot your system with the WinXP CD, making sure that the BIOS is set to boot
    from CD drive first. Start setup and agree to the license (hit F8). When you
    get to the point where you choose the installation location, delete the
    existing system partition. Create a new one from the resulting free space,
    format (quick is fine), and proceed with the installer. Make sure you have
    backed up any critical data (as it will be gone) and that you have your XP
    Product Key handy (as you will need it).

    --
    Best of Luck,

    Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
    http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
    Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

    "vbnetdev" <admin@kjmsolutions.com> wrote in message
    news:OcEbbOSKHHA.4960@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
    >I need to format the hard drive where Vista is on and install Windows XP.
    >Please help.
    >



  4. #4
    vbnetdev Guest

    Re: Format Hard Drive

    WIndows XP CD says it cannot format the drive. Does this have something ot
    do with the bootloader vista has?


    "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message
    news:%23xryjPSKHHA.4712@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
    > Clean Install Windows XP
    > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
    >
    > --
    > Carey Frisch
    > Microsoft MVP
    > Windows Shell/User
    > Microsoft Community Newsgroups
    > news://msnews.microsoft.com/
    >
    >
    > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    >
    > "vbnetdev" wrote:
    >
    > | I need to format the hard drive where Vista is on and install Windows
    > XP.
    > | Please help.
    >
    >




  5. #5
    Rick Rogers Guest

    Re: Format Hard Drive

    Hi,

    As I mentioned in my response, you have to remove the existing system
    partition and create a new one first.

    --
    Best of Luck,

    Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
    http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
    Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

    "vbnetdev" <admin@kjmsolutions.com> wrote in message
    news:%23xpCwTSKHHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
    > WIndows XP CD says it cannot format the drive. Does this have something ot
    > do with the bootloader vista has?
    >
    >
    > "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message
    > news:%23xryjPSKHHA.4712@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
    >> Clean Install Windows XP
    >> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
    >>
    >> --
    >> Carey Frisch
    >> Microsoft MVP
    >> Windows Shell/User
    >> Microsoft Community Newsgroups
    >> news://msnews.microsoft.com/
    >>
    >>
    >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    >>
    >> "vbnetdev" wrote:
    >>
    >> | I need to format the hard drive where Vista is on and install Windows
    >> XP.
    >> | Please help.
    >>
    >>

    >
    >



  6. #6
    Jordan Guest

    Removing pre-installed Vista

    I bought a laptop with Windows Vista pre-installed. I want to remove it, to format the hard disk but when I attempt to using a valid win XP Pro cd, it tells me the the setup cannot continue because it cannot detect the harddrive. What causes this, is it the a new NTFS format created be MS? Or is there some sort of protection on the partition? Please help anyway you can.

    EggHeadCafe.com - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
    http://www.eggheadcafe.com

  7. #7
    Dave B. Guest

    Re: Removing pre-installed Vista

    Has nothing to do with the partition, you likely need to provide a hard
    drive controller driver using F6 during the CD boot. You didn't provide any
    info on the laptop so that's just a guess.

    --
    ----
    Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
    How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
    How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
    http://www.db-pc.com
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    <Jordan> wrote in message news:200728143546dabombs@gmail.com...
    >I bought a laptop with Windows Vista pre-installed. I want to remove it, to
    >format the hard disk but when I attempt to using a valid win XP Pro cd, it
    >tells me the the setup cannot continue because it cannot detect the
    >harddrive. What causes this, is it the a new NTFS format created be MS? Or
    >is there some sort of protection on the partition? Please help anyway you
    >can.
    >
    > EggHeadCafe.com - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
    > http://www.eggheadcafe.com




  8. #8
    Squibbly Guest

    Re: Removing pre-installed Vista


    "Jordan" wrote in message news:200728143546dabombs@gmail.com...
    >I bought a laptop with Windows Vista pre-installed. I want to remove it, to
    >format the hard disk but when I attempt to using a valid win XP Pro cd, it
    >tells me the the setup cannot continue because it cannot detect the
    >harddrive. What causes this, is it the a new NTFS format created be MS? Or
    >is there some sort of protection on the partition? Please help anyway you
    >can.
    >
    > EggHeadCafe.com - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
    > http://www.eggheadcafe.com


    sounds like just what you said, sounds like some kinda vista protection on
    it, vista is full of permissions etc for added security that you would
    normally see on server software or xp pro


  9. #9
    Sascha Benjamin Jazbec Guest

    Re: Removing pre-installed Vista

    DO you have used Bitlocker HardDrive encryption ( in Ultimate and
    Enterprise ) on Vista ?

    Then the disk is unreadable by any other OS, of course.

    You will have to decrypt or reformat it if that is the case.

    If not, then look in your manual about installing alternate OS or contact
    the Manufacturer of the Notebook.

    It is never a good thing to replace the OS that comes with a device, 'cause
    the hardware and software were designed to fit together.

    All "new" configurations are unsupported then and of course always at your
    own risk.

    SJ / germany



    "Jordan" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:200728143546dabombs@gmail.com...
    >I bought a laptop with Windows Vista pre-installed. I want to remove it, to
    >format the hard disk but when I attempt to using a valid win XP Pro cd, it
    >tells me the the setup cannot continue because it cannot detect the
    >harddrive. What causes this, is it the a new NTFS format created be MS? Or
    >is there some sort of protection on the partition? Please help anyway you
    >can.
    >
    > EggHeadCafe.com - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
    > http://www.eggheadcafe.com



  10. #10
    Hugh Wyn Griffith Guest

    Re: Removing pre-installed Vista

    VISTA has different startup files to XP and this may be what is causing
    the problem.

    I'm sure there is a technical way to edit the file that replaces the
    boot.ini file in XP but the easy way is to download and install
    VISTABOOTPro which is a free utility for dual booting VISTA.

    When you install it check all the tools etc and I think you will find
    one to enable you to remove VISTA. It changes that file and then you
    can install your other OS and delete VISTA.

    Note however I don't know for sure that it will do this if you install
    VISTABOOTPro after VISTA and when the earlier OS is no longer there.

    Check out the http://www.vistabootpro.org/ website and read what it
    says.

    Check back here to see if anyone gives you another answer.


  11. #11
    Ron Sommer Guest

    Re: Removing pre-installed Vista

    A Vista formatted drive is not compatible with XP.
    Did you format the drive during XP setup?
    --
    Ronald Sommer

    <Jordan> wrote in message news:200728143546dabombs@gmail.com...
    :I bought a laptop with Windows Vista pre-installed. I want to remove it, to
    format the hard disk but when I attempt to using a valid win XP Pro cd, it
    tells me the the setup cannot continue because it cannot detect the
    harddrive. What causes this, is it the a new NTFS format created be MS? Or
    is there some sort of protection on the partition? Please help anyway you
    can.
    :
    : EggHeadCafe.com - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
    : http://www.eggheadcafe.com


  12. #12
    Tony Guest

    Re: Removing pre-installed Vista

    This sounds as if it has nothing to do with Vista being installed. There is
    no difference in the NTFS file system other than version number between XP
    and Vista.

    Possibly the disk is protected from writing or has a boot block that needs
    to be turned off in the bios. Or you have a SCSI drive that needs drivers
    loaded first.

    Tony


    "Ron Sommer" <rsommer@nospam.ktis.net> wrote in message
    news:uTWxnoETHHA.192@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
    >A Vista formatted drive is not compatible with XP.
    > Did you format the drive during XP setup?
    > --
    > Ronald Sommer
    >
    > <Jordan> wrote in message news:200728143546dabombs@gmail.com...
    > :I bought a laptop with Windows Vista pre-installed. I want to remove it,
    > to
    > format the hard disk but when I attempt to using a valid win XP Pro cd, it
    > tells me the the setup cannot continue because it cannot detect the
    > harddrive. What causes this, is it the a new NTFS format created be MS? Or
    > is there some sort of protection on the partition? Please help anyway you
    > can.
    > :
    > : EggHeadCafe.com - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
    > : http://www.eggheadcafe.com
    >




  13. #13
    Raby''s Guest

    Re: Format Hard Drive

    Thanks guys for trying BUT, I tried to uninstall vista, and was blocked. So I
    went to MichaelStevens' page and downloaded the XP setup disks, ran them and
    faffed around for an hour, only to be blocked by Vista. I could actually work
    in DOS to clear the HD but 5 more versions of Windows would be released by
    the time I had achieved anything meaningful. By which time...

    Oh for God's sake, hasn't anyone got a solution that works?
    I 'm supposed to have a life, that I could be getting on with.
    --
    Raby''s


    "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:

    > Clean Install Windows XP
    > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
    >
    > --
    > Carey Frisch
    > Microsoft MVP
    > Windows Shell/User
    > Microsoft Community Newsgroups
    > news://msnews.microsoft.com/
    >
    >
    > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    >
    > "vbnetdev" wrote:
    >
    > | I need to format the hard drive where Vista is on and install Windows XP.
    > | Please help.
    >
    >
    >


  14. #14
    Rick Rogers Guest

    Re: Format Hard Drive

    Hi,

    You can't uninstall Vista, and you can't install XP into a Vista created
    partition/volume. Boot an XP CD, no need for floppies, and begin setup. When
    you get to the point where you choose the installation location, instead
    delete the existing system partition. Then create a new one from the
    resulting free space, format, then proceed with setup.

    --
    Best of Luck,

    Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
    http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
    Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
    My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

    "Raby''s" <raby''s@discussions.microsoft.com.au> wrote in message
    news:3B203ECB-1BC5-42BF-996D-46C07E6B0A58@microsoft.com...
    > Thanks guys for trying BUT, I tried to uninstall vista, and was blocked.
    > So I
    > went to MichaelStevens' page and downloaded the XP setup disks, ran them
    > and
    > faffed around for an hour, only to be blocked by Vista. I could actually
    > work
    > in DOS to clear the HD but 5 more versions of Windows would be released by
    > the time I had achieved anything meaningful. By which time...
    >
    > Oh for God's sake, hasn't anyone got a solution that works?
    > I 'm supposed to have a life, that I could be getting on with.
    > --
    > Raby''s
    >
    >
    > "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
    >
    >> Clean Install Windows XP
    >> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
    >>
    >> --
    >> Carey Frisch
    >> Microsoft MVP
    >> Windows Shell/User
    >> Microsoft Community Newsgroups
    >> news://msnews.microsoft.com/
    >>
    >>
    >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    >>
    >> "vbnetdev" wrote:
    >>
    >> | I need to format the hard drive where Vista is on and install Windows
    >> XP.
    >> | Please help.
    >>
    >>
    >>



  15. #15
    Malke Guest

    Re: Format Hard Drive

    Raby''s wrote:
    > Thanks guys for trying BUT, I tried to uninstall vista, and was blocked. So I
    > went to MichaelStevens' page and downloaded the XP setup disks, ran them and
    > faffed around for an hour, only to be blocked by Vista. I could actually work
    > in DOS to clear the HD but 5 more versions of Windows would be released by
    > the time I had achieved anything meaningful. By which time...
    >
    > Oh for God's sake, hasn't anyone got a solution that works?
    > I 'm supposed to have a life, that I could be getting on with.


    I don't really understand why you are having trouble and why you needed
    setup disks. Do you not have a CD drive that works? That's the only
    reason to use the setup disks. What do you mean "was blocked"? This
    makes no sense.

    Assuming you have a working optical drive:

    1. Go into your BIOS and set your computer to boot from the optical
    drive first, hard drive second. Some computers have a keypress you can
    do to temporarily change the boot order. Either way, you want to boot
    from the optical drive first.

    2. Put the XP install CD in your drive and start the computer. The XP CD
    is bootable. When you see the prompt "Press any key to boot from CD",
    press any key. The XP install will start. Delete all partitions and
    create new ones as desired. Once you have done that, the XP installer
    will ask where you want to install XP. Tell it and let it rip.

    Read over Michael Stevens' instructions (and look at mine for what you
    should have on hand) if you have any questions.

    http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
    http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...alling_Windows -
    What you will need on-hand


    Malke
    --
    Elephant Boy Computers
    www.elephantboycomputers.com
    "Don't Panic!"
    MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

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