How do I uninstall a preinstalled Vista OS?

Question

I just bought a new Acer Desktop and I wanted it with XP but was told that all new PCs now have Vista. I've only got 512 RAM and think that XP is probably better suited to my needs.

I have Windows ME and the XP Pro upgrade disks, so as far as I can tell, I think I need to reinstall ME then upgrade to XP (unless I can use my XP Pro Laptop recovery disk... is that allowed?).

Anyway, my question is about partitions and FDISK. I have no idea what this means. I researched uninstalling Vista on the net, but they talk about partitions and I don't know how to clear it or where I can learn more about it.

Does anyone have any step-by-step, really clearly explained websites that go through this? Do you know how I can do this?

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Be careful doing this. Since you have new hardware, you may encounter problems with ME and XP not recognizing it. Remember that XP is 7 years old, which means that new hardware will potentially be too new for it. I couldn't install XP on my machine because it insisted I didn't have a hard drive - what it meant was the it couldn't recognize my SATA controller on my motherboard. If I hadn't been able to install Vista then I would have had a big boat anchor on my desk. To downgrade, you'll have to format your hard drive, which means wiping out everything - data, applications and OS. You'll lose any software that came with the system, and once you format it it won't work until you get a new OS installed.



The easiest solution here really is to just add more RAM to your system. More RAM is always good, and it's pretty cheap these days. Plus there's no risk of having a machine that's completely useless due to not being able to get an OS on it.

Answer 2

All you have to do is boot to the XP cd (set the cd-rom drive as the first boot device in your BIOS) and follow the onscreen prompts. You don't need Fdisk. Reformat the drive (the XP CD can do that during the install process) and when it asks for a previous version of Windows (to qualify for the upgrade) stick the old Windows ME disk into the CD-Rom drive. It'll check it, then eject it and ask you to put the XP cd back in, and it will carry on with the rest of the installation procedure.

Answer 3

Don't do anything until you talk to Acer tech support. The big issue is getting drivers for ME and XP that will work on your Acer.



The simple and smart fix is to add another 512MB of RAM (<$60) to your Acer and leave Vista alone.

Answer 4

you are able to set up residing house windows XP first without eliminating your residing house windows Vista. once you've succesfully put in residing house windows XP and also you're chuffed with its operation, then you truly can get rid of residing house windows Vista (in simple terms delete the residing house windows Vista folder). I managed to snatch an information superhighway web site that include the distinctive installation steps for residing house windows XP. in simple terms open the link below. out of your further comments, it type of feels that you are able to't boot from the XP CD, and the boot procedure immediately lots Vista extremely. as a effect, you should regulate your 'BIOS settings'. interior the BIOS settings, search for the parameter called 'boot-priority'. verify that the CDchronic is the firstchronic listed interior the boot-priority sequence. What this suggests is that your laptop will attempt as well from the CD first in the previous attempting as well from different drives (Floppy or complicated-power). searching on your laptop, you should keep urgent both the 'Del' or 'Esc' key accurate once you pressed your laptop's ability-On change, till the BIOS menu looks on your exhibit screen. in case your laptop helps Vista, that is going to also help residing house windows XP.

Answer 5

Just get a XP boot disk and install. You're on your way to the escape from hell.

Answer 6

You should be able to go into BIOS and format the hard drive. Then proceed with your ME-XP debacle. I think with 512mb of Ram XP will be better.

Answer 7

get a program called dos5 you can format and modify partitions with it