Hey, I need to format my laptop thats currently running Windows Vista Home Basic (preinstalled on purchase) and install Windows XP. Can someone please advice me on how to format the vista OS? Running the XP cd doesnt work. any external formatting programs compatible with vista ? Thanks

When you install Vista from the Bootable DVD, just like XP/W2K, it offers the formatting tools during the install process.

Oh no here comes still another unhappy Vista user. Let me first quote for you what Sabertooth have asked someone else in this thread: What exactly is the issue with it? - you need to describe the problem in details & if possible include specific error messages that you are getting. i_XpUser

If it came pre-installed with Vista chances are that some of your motherboard or on-board hardware drivers are not compatible with XP. I recommend you download all your drivers first or copy and burn the recovery section on your current hard-drive before you go on . Check into your bios settings (u should get an option on how to get into your bios during the boot up) and make sure your have the cd/dvd drive booting first ... If you get it to load that way and your are familiar with installing XP you should be set. Or try another Xp Cd ... If that doesn't work, I suggest making the hd a slave if you have another hd that has a working OS compatible with your laptop. From there all you would have to do is format from my computer.

Compaq v6211 not rocket science to find drivers ?? http://h20180.www2.hp.com/apps/Look...

Is your Windows XP CD bootable? Have you selected boot from CD Drive at BIOS? RareViolet, Remove Security Center Icon | Snip a screen shot | Disable Active Content in Internet Explorer | Enable the My Computer Security Zone