I've been trying to clean install XP pro for a week now, nothing is working for me. I currently have windows vista, and im in need of getting rid of it. I need a place where i can get simple step by step ways on how to properly format a computer and install windows XP. I want to let you know that when i restart my computer with windows xp it will not detect my partitions and goes into an error making me unable to continue. So basically I want to format my computer so nothing remains, and install windows XP.

What error are you getting? Does your computer use IDE or Sata drives? Also, you want to make sure that there are XP drivers for your hardware devices. "So won’t you give this man his wings What a shame To have to beg you to see We’re not all the same What a shame" - Shinedown

it says the file setupdd.sys is missing or corrupted. I think it is using IDE.

Vista uses a new boot format called BCD (Boot Configuration Database). This creates a boot conflict, one in which Vista wins, or crashes the computer. The standard boot sector for XP uses the Boot.ini, NTldr and NTdetect files to boot. Try creating a floppy boot disk on an XP computer with the boot files to boot the computer and then when you start the XP install, perform a quick format from setup. You can find the files in the i386 folder in the Windows folder.

It still won't find any partitions on my xp disk.. It just says unkown. There is no os on my computer because I formatted the whole thing. Why does this have to be so hard!