Upgrading from Vista to XP - talk me through the misery!

Finally after months of being sat on an XP disk, time to kick Vista into touch.

Work done:

• Laptop just reformatted
• Zero installs done since laptop working again
• XP disc initially refused to allow the 'Install XP' option
• It's revised it (for no apparent reason) to allowing me to click on it, but throws a warning: "This program is blocked due to compatibilty issues. Set up cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD. Warning: if you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be recovered."

I need:

• To create a back up disc of what's there (a mirror disc?), in case me and XP and the programs I use do not get on.
• Then I need to persude the Hilter in the machine to let me put XP on it. How?

Most know I hate these machines. Thanks in advance for much appreciated advice

 

Upgrade?

Creating a backup, No...Not going to happen. Possible but it would mean programs and lots of storage space.
Do you have a vista backup/restore disk that came with the laptop?
If not there might be a small recovery partition on the HDD with the vista install there incase anything goes wrong.

So first thing to do is put the XP CD in, Turn off the laptop and then turn it on. It should boot from the CD into the XP setup. When you press setup it should list the partitions on the HDD. See if there is a recovery one and report back.
If it doesnt boot from the CD you need to go into the bios and change the boot order to CD first. Save the changes and try again.

 

Anyway, Why XP. Windows 7 is good you know...

 

Tongue in cheek!

Thanks for the memory jog. Just found the disc I'd forgotten about.

On the bios case - it hasn't booted off the disc yet.

I had a Win 7 version but 'lost' the activation code. Wasn't happy with it anyway TBH.

 

XP it is then.

You normally just keep pressing delete when you turn it on to get into the BIOS but it can be different for laptops.

You have made a backup of everything yes? Because this will format your HDD and wipe EVERYTHING.
E-mails, Pictures, videos etc!

 

Yep, done all the backups, and tried booting with the bios set to the CD.

Booted up, but couldn't see a drive to put it on, and two blue screens later, I'm back with Vista again.

Going to try the CD again, but am expecting to refuse to 'downgrade'.

 

Ok, just follow what it says. You will come to a screen where it lists the drive/partition.
Just keep deleting Untill you can't delete any more.
It will then say "unpartitioned space"
You can choose that and say "setup in this space"
It will ask you to format using NTFS full or quick. Just do a quick one or it will take HOURS!

 

It's just blue screening before. Will try again

 

http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/downgrade-vista-to-xp-in-seven-easy-steps/

Ok, if you are getting a BSOD on the setup then in the bios you need to change the HDD type from raid support to ATA. It should be in there. Don't be afraid to change stuff in the bios as there will be a rest to default in the end option.

 

I've done the NFTS quick option - a partition option appeared which was not there before

Laptop has now restarted, but it is still in Vista!

What do you think it has done so far?

 

Started the install again via the CD, but prior the laptop was hanging up (updating?) whilst logging off.

So it formatted the partition clean, put the files on it, switched off, and it's back again as Vista.

I know now why I've been putting this off since May!

 

Jesus Christ, I don't beleive it. it's formatted my remote hard disc. Lost everything

I'm going to need some help recovering this if possible guys.

 

Remote disk? Why didn't you unplug it!

You should have only the OS HDD in the laptop.
I can't understand why its going to vista after the format. The format should wipe vista and put XP over it.
As it's an OS install it's not something I can do remotely.

 

Laptop make and model?
I downgraded an old one of mine, and it was a ******* to find some drivers.

 

Dell Inspiron 1525

 

Piece of P*ss if you have a Dell OEM XP install CD, Driver also a piece of from the Dell Website.

If you fancied it, you could post the laptop up to me and I'd do it for you.

 

F9 KEY I THINK ON BOOT UP LETS YOU PICK BOOT FROM CD.
I have dell boot cd's for cp, vista and 7 if you need one

 

Step away from the Laptop Chris. Sorry to hear of the misfortune. Why on earth didnt you unplug the external disc first just to eliminate the possibility of accidentally wiping the drive?

 

I had it unplugged when I went for the XP install. When it couldn't locate a partition drive, for some reason I plugged in the external HD, had a mooch through some files for some info, and then tried the XP install again. I left the external HD plugged in, and when the XP intall then found a partition drive (the external HD) I assumed a glitch before and okayed the format

 

Is Linux an option?
www.ubuntu.com + USB stick to try it.