I've had Vista on my computer for a little bit and would now like to go back to XP (can't seem to get networked with an XP computer and too many peripherals that I have don't have drivers for Vista so I'll wait til later). I have 2 partitions on my 300GB HD with vista on one and my pictures, music and docs on the other. Can't I just reinstall XP on the one partition, not format the other and still have all my stuff on there? I mean, I actually would have to CHOOSE to format that other partition when reinstalling, right? I would hate to lose everything, and there's WAY too much to start burning it all onto DVD's. Thanks.

I believe Microsoft had warnings about using Vista BETA as your primary OS?

How did you go about installing it? was it a clean install? or did you do an upgrade? If it was an upgrade, there's no way to rollback, so your only choice is to format the C: partition & do a clean install of XP. And there's always a risk of losing the data on the other partitions when doing so. Either back up your data or take your chances.

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet...

You can only do a clean install of Vista. I had put the files on this particular computer after my main computer, with XP, started crapping out. I don't have the XP computer fixed yet, but now would like to go back to XP on this Vista machine. I will, however, do the smart thing and back everything up. A little hassle is worth not losing non-replaceable photos! Thanks for taking the time to help!

"You can only do a clean install of Vista."

OH REALLY??

"There are three installation scenarios for Windows Vista RC1:

1. You can do a clean installation. This process will overwrite any data that you have on your hard disk or on your installation partition. The overwritten data will be lost and unrecoverable.
2. You can upgrade an existing installation of Windows XP.
3. You can upgrade an existing installation of Windows Vista Beta 2."

"In addition, once you install Windows Vista RC1, you cannot roll back to the previous operating system installation—you will either have to acquire and install the final released edition of Windows Vista or reinstall a previous edition of Windows."

Note: This is beta code and should not be used in a production environment or on a primary computer in the home. RC1 is intended for developers, IT professionals, and technology experts to continue or begin their testing of Windows Vista. Before you decide to use RC1, you should feel comfortable with installing operating systems, updating drivers, and general PC troubleshooting. Some risks of using beta operating systems include hardware and software incompatibility and system instability. If you have concerns about installing this beta software on your computer, we encourage you to obtain the final release version of Windows Vista when it is available in 2007.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvis...

Interesting. When I put the Vista cd in my XP computer the only option it showed is to do a clean install. The upgrade option was "greyed" out.

I just wanted to know about reinstalling XP, not get reamed and reprimanded for using Beta code on a primary computer. I KNOW that I can't roll back to XP or any previous OS, that's why I'm asking about a clean install of XP. A simple question. You don't have to be a programmer or someone completely knowledgeable to install and try out Vista on your own computer before you shell out $200 to $300. I know the risks. Just had a question.

I only got the upgrade or clean install options also, as well as the cannot install on anything other than NTFS, bit of a pian really as most of my systems are FAT 32 ( I like to be able to access stuff from the other OS as well as DOS (Well 98 version of DOS) in case of disaster.

Woof

Always proof-read carefully to see if you any words out.

Your question wasn't clear so I was curious as to whether you did an upgrade or a clean install. It appeared that you *might* be asking if you could do a rollback, because you said you'd "like to go back to XP".

And the reason I copied/pasted that info from the Microsoft site was because you wrote that you "can't seem to get networked with an XP computer and too many peripherals that I have don't have drivers for Vista". Those were some of the things that MS specifically warned about.

Hindsight is 20-20, but what you *should* have done was install Vista on a separate partiton creating a dual boot. Then you could have experimented to your heart's content while still keeping your XP install intact. Removing Vista from a dual boot config is relatively simple & non-destructive.

Below are the 2 sentences that had question marks after them. Those are the questions I needed answers for. I'm not sure about the install process and what options it'll give me so I needed to know those answers. I'm sorry I was a butt head in my reply. I realize you were just trying to help, and I really appreciate that. It was idiotic of me not to get my files off the computer all together before installing Vista, but since I didn't, I needed an expert opinion. And yes, I should have done the dual boot thing. Thank you, Jam. Sorry. (I'm a girl, so that's a BIG factor in the "bitchy" reply(s)!)

Can't I just reinstall XP on the one partition, not format the other and still have all my stuff on there? I mean, I actually would have to CHOOSE to format that other partition when reinstalling, right?

Hi Magnum. I understood your question, no problem. Sometimes we get into semantics, with things like 'upgrade', 'go back', etc. When I 'upgraded' to XP, I had Win98 on my system. I did a clean install, so Win98 was not any part of the new OS. But, when I had questions here on the Net, it got tricky. So, to your question. The data on your D: partition(?) pictures, etc are safe. You don't need to touch that drive at all. Backup anything on your C: drive that you might want to keep. Do the clean install on drive C: wiping out all of the Vista OS. If you have to format, then format ONLY the C: drive.

I've been there, done that. Backing up, however, is always, I repeat, ALWAYS, a good idea. You just never know.

Good luck.

Bob

A positive attitude won't solve all your problems, but it will annoy just enough people to be worth the effort.

To have your stuff there may or may not work. A partition that had vista with photos is unlikely to be fully accessed by xp.
There are questions about file/folder protection that may prevent a XP install from viewing photos.

I guess I need to try a linux cd to see if it can access any folders on the vista.

Not really a good way to be sure unless you save them off to DVD's or a ftp folder. Might consider an online storage if you don't wish to buy any more hardware. Even usb devices might present issues unless you format them in fat. Not sure you can format in fat in vista either.

Sure you can, slip in the XP cd and delete the partition that Vista is on(make sure you are deleting the right partition), make a new partition out of the unpartitioned space you just made and install XP on it. The other partition should remain untouched.