Vista - How to uninstall vista...

My notebook computer(Thinkpad T43) has only one partition... I installed
vista yesterday. It moved my windows xp("program files","windows","documents
and settings") to a folder named windows.old...
I want to uninstall vista....How to ?
I really unable to format my harddrive(80GB)...a lot of important files....

First, did you back up your data before you installed Vista. If not
consider this to be a learning experiance. In the future, before installing
unstable and bug ridden operating systems, such as Vista Beta 2:

1) back up your data. Then after you have backed up the data, make an image
of your operating system drive.

2) come to the relevant newsgroup and spend several days reading before you
install the nasty bug ridden OS.

There are at least two ways to install Vista with one partition. The usual
way is to upgrade XP to Vista. If that is what you did, your data should be
in the Vista installation, and you should be able to back it up. Do that
first.

Now the bad news, if you upgraded Windows XP to Vista, then XP is gone, and
you cannot uninstall Vista. To get back to Windows XP you must back up your
data, reformat the partition and reinstall XP. Notice that I keep repeating
"back up your data". Find your data and back it up. If you can't find it,
or you don't back it up you are really screwed.

If you installed Vista on the same partition as XP then, you have gone
against Microsofts stern warnings, and you have a dangerously unstable
system far worse than just the Beta OS itself, but it is possible to remove
the Vista install and get XP working again, but most people have not had
good luck with this.

Unless you have a lot of time and really want to have a new learning
experiance, find your data, back it up, and reformat your partition.

Todd

"YWY" <YWY@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3AF7F3B3-930C-4225-9DFB-252DB1B287C7@microsoft.com...
> My notebook computer(Thinkpad T43) has only one partition... I installed
> vista yesterday. It moved my windows xp("program
files","windows","documents
> and settings") to a folder named windows.old...
> I want to uninstall vista....How to ?
> I really unable to format my harddrive(80GB)...a lot of important
files....
>

Ok i am very confused, and do not know a whole lot about this type of
thing... All i know is i installed vista, and want it off. Heres the deal, i
installed vista as an upgrade, on my computer, XP came with my computer when
purchased, All i want to know is can i not just simple, go out, repurchase XP
andinstall it just like i did Vista over my XP?

If not i know this is a lot of trouble but can someone give me a link to a
detailed tutorial on how to go back to XP,

My plan was to transfer all my info on to my external HD and then just to a
system RECOVERY, so it goes back to factory settings, IS THIS BAD?

Please i need help big time, LoL

"Todd" wrote:

> First, did you back up your data before you installed Vista. If not
> consider this to be a learning experiance. In the future, before installing
> unstable and bug ridden operating systems, such as Vista Beta 2:
>
> 1) back up your data. Then after you have backed up the data, make an image
> of your operating system drive.
>
> 2) come to the relevant newsgroup and spend several days reading before you
> install the nasty bug ridden OS.
>
> There are at least two ways to install Vista with one partition. The usual
> way is to upgrade XP to Vista. If that is what you did, your data should be
> in the Vista installation, and you should be able to back it up. Do that
> first.
>
> Now the bad news, if you upgraded Windows XP to Vista, then XP is gone, and
> you cannot uninstall Vista. To get back to Windows XP you must back up your
> data, reformat the partition and reinstall XP. Notice that I keep repeating
> "back up your data". Find your data and back it up. If you can't find it,
> or you don't back it up you are really screwed.
>
> If you installed Vista on the same partition as XP then, you have gone
> against Microsofts stern warnings, and you have a dangerously unstable
> system far worse than just the Beta OS itself, but it is possible to remove
> the Vista install and get XP working again, but most people have not had
> good luck with this.
>
> Unless you have a lot of time and really want to have a new learning
> experiance, find your data, back it up, and reformat your partition.
>
> Todd
>
> "YWY" <YWY@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:3AF7F3B3-930C-4225-9DFB-252DB1B287C7@microsoft.com...
> > My notebook computer(Thinkpad T43) has only one partition... I installed
> > vista yesterday. It moved my windows xp("program
> files","windows","documents
> > and settings") to a folder named windows.old...
> > I want to uninstall vista....How to ?
> > I really unable to format my harddrive(80GB)...a lot of important
> files....
> >
>
>
>

No. Use the recovery. If recovery is started with a function key during
system startup and that does not appear to work, Vista overwrote the code
and you need a fix from the computer manufacturer. The manufacturer is
prepared for this issue. Otherwise you will restore your system to its
factory condition.

"AJ" <AJ@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:29210EBA-ACF7-4D9D-B44F-4E4060BF6F6C@microsoft.com...
> Ok i am very confused, and do not know a whole lot about this type of
> thing... All i know is i installed vista, and want it off. Heres the deal,
> i
> installed vista as an upgrade, on my computer, XP came with my computer
> when
> purchased, All i want to know is can i not just simple, go out, repurchase
> XP
> andinstall it just like i did Vista over my XP?
>
> If not i know this is a lot of trouble but can someone give me a link to a
> detailed tutorial on how to go back to XP,
>
> My plan was to transfer all my info on to my external HD and then just to
> a
> system RECOVERY, so it goes back to factory settings, IS THIS BAD?
>
> Please i need help big time, LoL
>
> "Todd" wrote:
>
>> First, did you back up your data before you installed Vista. If not
>> consider this to be a learning experiance. In the future, before
>> installing
>> unstable and bug ridden operating systems, such as Vista Beta 2:
>>
>> 1) back up your data. Then after you have backed up the data, make an
>> image
>> of your operating system drive.
>>
>> 2) come to the relevant newsgroup and spend several days reading before
>> you
>> install the nasty bug ridden OS.
>>
>> There are at least two ways to install Vista with one partition. The
>> usual
>> way is to upgrade XP to Vista. If that is what you did, your data should
>> be
>> in the Vista installation, and you should be able to back it up. Do that
>> first.
>>
>> Now the bad news, if you upgraded Windows XP to Vista, then XP is gone,
>> and
>> you cannot uninstall Vista. To get back to Windows XP you must back up
>> your
>> data, reformat the partition and reinstall XP. Notice that I keep
>> repeating
>> "back up your data". Find your data and back it up. If you can't find
>> it,
>> or you don't back it up you are really screwed.
>>
>> If you installed Vista on the same partition as XP then, you have gone
>> against Microsofts stern warnings, and you have a dangerously unstable
>> system far worse than just the Beta OS itself, but it is possible to
>> remove
>> the Vista install and get XP working again, but most people have not had
>> good luck with this.
>>
>> Unless you have a lot of time and really want to have a new learning
>> experiance, find your data, back it up, and reformat your partition.
>>
>> Todd
>>
>> "YWY" <YWY@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:3AF7F3B3-930C-4225-9DFB-252DB1B287C7@microsoft.com...
>> > My notebook computer(Thinkpad T43) has only one partition... I
>> > installed
>> > vista yesterday. It moved my windows xp("program
>> files","windows","documents
>> > and settings") to a folder named windows.old...
>> > I want to uninstall vista....How to ?
>> > I really unable to format my harddrive(80GB)...a lot of important
>> files....
>> >
>>
>>
>>

You cannot install XP over Vista. You however can use an XP install disk
and reformat the partition and install a fresh copy of XP. If you have any
data you need to save from Vista, copy it to your external HD first. After
you get XP set up you can copy your data back into it. There is no
RECOVERY. One way street only.


"AJ" <AJ@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:29210EBA-ACF7-4D9D-B44F-4E4060BF6F6C@microsoft.com...
> Ok i am very confused, and do not know a whole lot about this type of
> thing... All i know is i installed vista, and want it off. Heres the deal,
> i
> installed vista as an upgrade, on my computer, XP came with my computer
> when
> purchased, All i want to know is can i not just simple, go out, repurchase
> XP
> andinstall it just like i did Vista over my XP?
>
> If not i know this is a lot of trouble but can someone give me a link to a
> detailed tutorial on how to go back to XP,
>
> My plan was to transfer all my info on to my external HD and then just to
> a
> system RECOVERY, so it goes back to factory settings, IS THIS BAD?
>
> Please i need help big time, LoL
>
> "Todd" wrote:
>
>> First, did you back up your data before you installed Vista. If not
>> consider this to be a learning experiance. In the future, before
>> installing
>> unstable and bug ridden operating systems, such as Vista Beta 2:
>>
>> 1) back up your data. Then after you have backed up the data, make an
>> image
>> of your operating system drive.
>>
>> 2) come to the relevant newsgroup and spend several days reading before
>> you
>> install the nasty bug ridden OS.
>>
>> There are at least two ways to install Vista with one partition. The
>> usual
>> way is to upgrade XP to Vista. If that is what you did, your data should
>> be
>> in the Vista installation, and you should be able to back it up. Do that
>> first.
>>
>> Now the bad news, if you upgraded Windows XP to Vista, then XP is gone,
>> and
>> you cannot uninstall Vista. To get back to Windows XP you must back up
>> your
>> data, reformat the partition and reinstall XP. Notice that I keep
>> repeating
>> "back up your data". Find your data and back it up. If you can't find
>> it,
>> or you don't back it up you are really screwed.
>>
>> If you installed Vista on the same partition as XP then, you have gone
>> against Microsofts stern warnings, and you have a dangerously unstable
>> system far worse than just the Beta OS itself, but it is possible to
>> remove
>> the Vista install and get XP working again, but most people have not had
>> good luck with this.
>>
>> Unless you have a lot of time and really want to have a new learning
>> experiance, find your data, back it up, and reformat your partition.
>>
>> Todd
>>
>> "YWY" <YWY@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:3AF7F3B3-930C-4225-9DFB-252DB1B287C7@microsoft.com...
>> > My notebook computer(Thinkpad T43) has only one partition... I
>> > installed
>> > vista yesterday. It moved my windows xp("program
>> files","windows","documents
>> > and settings") to a folder named windows.old...
>> > I want to uninstall vista....How to ?
>> > I really unable to format my harddrive(80GB)...a lot of important
>> files....
>> >
>>
>>
>>

Well, that may not be true. For example, if he has a recent Dell, then
there IS a recovery partition and he can restore it to factory fresh.

Tom
"John Barnes" <JBarnes@email.net> wrote in message
news:EDBCCE00-6D8B-4B33-9E6B-5F56CD193C8B@microsoft.com...
> You cannot install XP over Vista. You however can use an XP install disk
> and reformat the partition and install a fresh copy of XP. If you have
> any data you need to save from Vista, copy it to your external HD first.
> After you get XP set up you can copy your data back into it. There is no
> RECOVERY. One way street only.
>
>
> "AJ" <AJ@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:29210EBA-ACF7-4D9D-B44F-4E4060BF6F6C@microsoft.com...
>> Ok i am very confused, and do not know a whole lot about this type of
>> thing... All i know is i installed vista, and want it off. Heres the
>> deal, i
>> installed vista as an upgrade, on my computer, XP came with my computer
>> when
>> purchased, All i want to know is can i not just simple, go out,
>> repurchase XP
>> andinstall it just like i did Vista over my XP?
>>
>> If not i know this is a lot of trouble but can someone give me a link to
>> a
>> detailed tutorial on how to go back to XP,
>>
>> My plan was to transfer all my info on to my external HD and then just to
>> a
>> system RECOVERY, so it goes back to factory settings, IS THIS BAD?
>>
>> Please i need help big time, LoL
>>
>> "Todd" wrote:
>>
>>> First, did you back up your data before you installed Vista. If not
>>> consider this to be a learning experiance. In the future, before
>>> installing
>>> unstable and bug ridden operating systems, such as Vista Beta 2:
>>>
>>> 1) back up your data. Then after you have backed up the data, make an
>>> image
>>> of your operating system drive.
>>>
>>> 2) come to the relevant newsgroup and spend several days reading before
>>> you
>>> install the nasty bug ridden OS.
>>>
>>> There are at least two ways to install Vista with one partition. The
>>> usual
>>> way is to upgrade XP to Vista. If that is what you did, your data
>>> should be
>>> in the Vista installation, and you should be able to back it up. Do
>>> that
>>> first.
>>>
>>> Now the bad news, if you upgraded Windows XP to Vista, then XP is gone,
>>> and
>>> you cannot uninstall Vista. To get back to Windows XP you must back up
>>> your
>>> data, reformat the partition and reinstall XP. Notice that I keep
>>> repeating
>>> "back up your data". Find your data and back it up. If you can't find
>>> it,
>>> or you don't back it up you are really screwed.
>>>
>>> If you installed Vista on the same partition as XP then, you have gone
>>> against Microsofts stern warnings, and you have a dangerously unstable
>>> system far worse than just the Beta OS itself, but it is possible to
>>> remove
>>> the Vista install and get XP working again, but most people have not had
>>> good luck with this.
>>>
>>> Unless you have a lot of time and really want to have a new learning
>>> experiance, find your data, back it up, and reformat your partition.
>>>
>>> Todd
>>>
>>> "YWY" <YWY@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:3AF7F3B3-930C-4225-9DFB-252DB1B287C7@microsoft.com...
>>> > My notebook computer(Thinkpad T43) has only one partition... I
>>> > installed
>>> > vista yesterday. It moved my windows xp("program
>>> files","windows","documents
>>> > and settings") to a folder named windows.old...
>>> > I want to uninstall vista....How to ?
>>> > I really unable to format my harddrive(80GB)...a lot of important
>>> files....
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>>
>

Correct, and should do to ensure any proprietary drivers are installed.

"Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23d5eESXnGHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Well, that may not be true. For example, if he has a recent Dell, then
> there IS a recovery partition and he can restore it to factory fresh.
>
> Tom
> "John Barnes" <JBarnes@email.net> wrote in message
> news:EDBCCE00-6D8B-4B33-9E6B-5F56CD193C8B@microsoft.com...
>> You cannot install XP over Vista. You however can use an XP install disk
>> and reformat the partition and install a fresh copy of XP. If you have
>> any data you need to save from Vista, copy it to your external HD first.
>> After you get XP set up you can copy your data back into it. There is no
>> RECOVERY. One way street only.
>>
>>
>> "AJ" <AJ@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:29210EBA-ACF7-4D9D-B44F-4E4060BF6F6C@microsoft.com...
>>> Ok i am very confused, and do not know a whole lot about this type of
>>> thing... All i know is i installed vista, and want it off. Heres the
>>> deal, i
>>> installed vista as an upgrade, on my computer, XP came with my computer
>>> when
>>> purchased, All i want to know is can i not just simple, go out,
>>> repurchase XP
>>> andinstall it just like i did Vista over my XP?
>>>
>>> If not i know this is a lot of trouble but can someone give me a link to
>>> a
>>> detailed tutorial on how to go back to XP,
>>>
>>> My plan was to transfer all my info on to my external HD and then just
>>> to a
>>> system RECOVERY, so it goes back to factory settings, IS THIS BAD?
>>>
>>> Please i need help big time, LoL
>>>
>>> "Todd" wrote:
>>>
>>>> First, did you back up your data before you installed Vista. If not
>>>> consider this to be a learning experiance. In the future, before
>>>> installing
>>>> unstable and bug ridden operating systems, such as Vista Beta 2:
>>>>
>>>> 1) back up your data. Then after you have backed up the data, make an
>>>> image
>>>> of your operating system drive.
>>>>
>>>> 2) come to the relevant newsgroup and spend several days reading before
>>>> you
>>>> install the nasty bug ridden OS.
>>>>
>>>> There are at least two ways to install Vista with one partition. The
>>>> usual
>>>> way is to upgrade XP to Vista. If that is what you did, your data
>>>> should be
>>>> in the Vista installation, and you should be able to back it up. Do
>>>> that
>>>> first.
>>>>
>>>> Now the bad news, if you upgraded Windows XP to Vista, then XP is gone,
>>>> and
>>>> you cannot uninstall Vista. To get back to Windows XP you must back up
>>>> your
>>>> data, reformat the partition and reinstall XP. Notice that I keep
>>>> repeating
>>>> "back up your data". Find your data and back it up. If you can't find
>>>> it,
>>>> or you don't back it up you are really screwed.
>>>>
>>>> If you installed Vista on the same partition as XP then, you have gone
>>>> against Microsofts stern warnings, and you have a dangerously unstable
>>>> system far worse than just the Beta OS itself, but it is possible to
>>>> remove
>>>> the Vista install and get XP working again, but most people have not
>>>> had
>>>> good luck with this.
>>>>
>>>> Unless you have a lot of time and really want to have a new learning
>>>> experiance, find your data, back it up, and reformat your partition.
>>>>
>>>> Todd
>>>>
>>>> "YWY" <YWY@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:3AF7F3B3-930C-4225-9DFB-252DB1B287C7@microsoft.com...
>>>> > My notebook computer(Thinkpad T43) has only one partition... I
>>>> > installed
>>>> > vista yesterday. It moved my windows xp("program
>>>> files","windows","documents
>>>> > and settings") to a folder named windows.old...
>>>> > I want to uninstall vista....How to ?
>>>> > I really unable to format my harddrive(80GB)...a lot of important
>>>> files....
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>
>

He said he was going to buy a copy of XP. Sounds like he doesn't have a
recovery setup or xp disk. Just going by his words.


"Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23d5eESXnGHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Well, that may not be true. For example, if he has a recent Dell, then
> there IS a recovery partition and he can restore it to factory fresh.
>
> Tom
> "John Barnes" <JBarnes@email.net> wrote in message
> news:EDBCCE00-6D8B-4B33-9E6B-5F56CD193C8B@microsoft.com...
>> You cannot install XP over Vista. You however can use an XP install disk
>> and reformat the partition and install a fresh copy of XP. If you have
>> any data you need to save from Vista, copy it to your external HD first.
>> After you get XP set up you can copy your data back into it. There is no
>> RECOVERY. One way street only.
>>
>>
>> "AJ" <AJ@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:29210EBA-ACF7-4D9D-B44F-4E4060BF6F6C@microsoft.com...
>>> Ok i am very confused, and do not know a whole lot about this type of
>>> thing... All i know is i installed vista, and want it off. Heres the
>>> deal, i
>>> installed vista as an upgrade, on my computer, XP came with my computer
>>> when
>>> purchased, All i want to know is can i not just simple, go out,
>>> repurchase XP
>>> andinstall it just like i did Vista over my XP?
>>>
>>> If not i know this is a lot of trouble but can someone give me a link to
>>> a
>>> detailed tutorial on how to go back to XP,
>>>
>>> My plan was to transfer all my info on to my external HD and then just
>>> to a
>>> system RECOVERY, so it goes back to factory settings, IS THIS BAD?
>>>
>>> Please i need help big time, LoL
>>>
>>> "Todd" wrote:
>>>
>>>> First, did you back up your data before you installed Vista. If not
>>>> consider this to be a learning experiance. In the future, before
>>>> installing
>>>> unstable and bug ridden operating systems, such as Vista Beta 2:
>>>>
>>>> 1) back up your data. Then after you have backed up the data, make an
>>>> image
>>>> of your operating system drive.
>>>>
>>>> 2) come to the relevant newsgroup and spend several days reading before
>>>> you
>>>> install the nasty bug ridden OS.
>>>>
>>>> There are at least two ways to install Vista with one partition. The
>>>> usual
>>>> way is to upgrade XP to Vista. If that is what you did, your data
>>>> should be
>>>> in the Vista installation, and you should be able to back it up. Do
>>>> that
>>>> first.
>>>>
>>>> Now the bad news, if you upgraded Windows XP to Vista, then XP is gone,
>>>> and
>>>> you cannot uninstall Vista. To get back to Windows XP you must back up
>>>> your
>>>> data, reformat the partition and reinstall XP. Notice that I keep
>>>> repeating
>>>> "back up your data". Find your data and back it up. If you can't find
>>>> it,
>>>> or you don't back it up you are really screwed.
>>>>
>>>> If you installed Vista on the same partition as XP then, you have gone
>>>> against Microsofts stern warnings, and you have a dangerously unstable
>>>> system far worse than just the Beta OS itself, but it is possible to
>>>> remove
>>>> the Vista install and get XP working again, but most people have not
>>>> had
>>>> good luck with this.
>>>>
>>>> Unless you have a lot of time and really want to have a new learning
>>>> experiance, find your data, back it up, and reformat your partition.
>>>>
>>>> Todd
>>>>
>>>> "YWY" <YWY@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:3AF7F3B3-930C-4225-9DFB-252DB1B287C7@microsoft.com...
>>>> > My notebook computer(Thinkpad T43) has only one partition... I
>>>> > installed
>>>> > vista yesterday. It moved my windows xp("program
>>>> files","windows","documents
>>>> > and settings") to a folder named windows.old...
>>>> > I want to uninstall vista....How to ?
>>>> > I really unable to format my harddrive(80GB)...a lot of important
>>>> files....
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>
>

Yeah. Either that or just frustrated. My concern is that there is a
drivers disk he needs to even get on the internet. Anyway, I'm all for
saving him that expense. Trip to the store, buy Upgrade by mistake because
its cheaper, and so on. I'm not looking forward to this.

"John Barnes" <JBarnes@email.net> wrote in message
news:139517D3-9BC6-487E-AFFE-6F9C320C9D7D@microsoft.com...
> He said he was going to buy a copy of XP. Sounds like he doesn't have a
> recovery setup or xp disk. Just going by his words.
>
>
> "Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:%23d5eESXnGHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> Well, that may not be true. For example, if he has a recent Dell, then
>> there IS a recovery partition and he can restore it to factory fresh.
>>
>> Tom
>> "John Barnes" <JBarnes@email.net> wrote in message
>> news:EDBCCE00-6D8B-4B33-9E6B-5F56CD193C8B@microsoft.com...
>>> You cannot install XP over Vista. You however can use an XP install
>>> disk and reformat the partition and install a fresh copy of XP. If you
>>> have any data you need to save from Vista, copy it to your external HD
>>> first. After you get XP set up you can copy your data back into it.
>>> There is no RECOVERY. One way street only.
>>>
>>>
>>> "AJ" <AJ@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:29210EBA-ACF7-4D9D-B44F-4E4060BF6F6C@microsoft.com...
>>>> Ok i am very confused, and do not know a whole lot about this type of
>>>> thing... All i know is i installed vista, and want it off. Heres the
>>>> deal, i
>>>> installed vista as an upgrade, on my computer, XP came with my computer
>>>> when
>>>> purchased, All i want to know is can i not just simple, go out,
>>>> repurchase XP
>>>> andinstall it just like i did Vista over my XP?
>>>>
>>>> If not i know this is a lot of trouble but can someone give me a link
>>>> to a
>>>> detailed tutorial on how to go back to XP,
>>>>
>>>> My plan was to transfer all my info on to my external HD and then just
>>>> to a
>>>> system RECOVERY, so it goes back to factory settings, IS THIS BAD?
>>>>
>>>> Please i need help big time, LoL
>>>>
>>>> "Todd" wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> First, did you back up your data before you installed Vista. If not
>>>>> consider this to be a learning experiance. In the future, before
>>>>> installing
>>>>> unstable and bug ridden operating systems, such as Vista Beta 2:
>>>>>
>>>>> 1) back up your data. Then after you have backed up the data, make an
>>>>> image
>>>>> of your operating system drive.
>>>>>
>>>>> 2) come to the relevant newsgroup and spend several days reading
>>>>> before you
>>>>> install the nasty bug ridden OS.
>>>>>
>>>>> There are at least two ways to install Vista with one partition. The
>>>>> usual
>>>>> way is to upgrade XP to Vista. If that is what you did, your data
>>>>> should be
>>>>> in the Vista installation, and you should be able to back it up. Do
>>>>> that
>>>>> first.
>>>>>
>>>>> Now the bad news, if you upgraded Windows XP to Vista, then XP is
>>>>> gone, and
>>>>> you cannot uninstall Vista. To get back to Windows XP you must back
>>>>> up your
>>>>> data, reformat the partition and reinstall XP. Notice that I keep
>>>>> repeating
>>>>> "back up your data". Find your data and back it up. If you can't
>>>>> find it,
>>>>> or you don't back it up you are really screwed.
>>>>>
>>>>> If you installed Vista on the same partition as XP then, you have gone
>>>>> against Microsofts stern warnings, and you have a dangerously unstable
>>>>> system far worse than just the Beta OS itself, but it is possible to
>>>>> remove
>>>>> the Vista install and get XP working again, but most people have not
>>>>> had
>>>>> good luck with this.
>>>>>
>>>>> Unless you have a lot of time and really want to have a new learning
>>>>> experiance, find your data, back it up, and reformat your partition.
>>>>>
>>>>> Todd
>>>>>
>>>>> "YWY" <YWY@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:3AF7F3B3-930C-4225-9DFB-252DB1B287C7@microsoft.com...
>>>>> > My notebook computer(Thinkpad T43) has only one partition... I
>>>>> > installed
>>>>> > vista yesterday. It moved my windows xp("program
>>>>> files","windows","documents
>>>>> > and settings") to a folder named windows.old...
>>>>> > I want to uninstall vista....How to ?
>>>>> > I really unable to format my harddrive(80GB)...a lot of important
>>>>> files....
>>>>> >
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

There are a lot of computer assemblers that supply an XP disk or Recovery
disk that he could use if he has it or can contact the assembler and obtain
one. He would probably end up with additional software also, but to divine
that he has a recent Dell and not allow for the other assemblers seems
myopic when no such situation is indicated. Carnac The Magnificent next.


"Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst(remove)@msn.com> wrote in message
news:uvViA8XnGHA.3896@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Yeah. Either that or just frustrated. My concern is that there is a
> drivers disk he needs to even get on the internet. Anyway, I'm all for
> saving him that expense. Trip to the store, buy Upgrade by mistake
> because its cheaper, and so on. I'm not looking forward to this.
>
> "John Barnes" <JBarnes@email.net> wrote in message
> news:139517D3-9BC6-487E-AFFE-6F9C320C9D7D@microsoft.com...
>> He said he was going to buy a copy of XP. Sounds like he doesn't have a
>> recovery setup or xp disk. Just going by his words.
>>
>>
>> "Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23d5eESXnGHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>> Well, that may not be true. For example, if he has a recent Dell, then
>>> there IS a recovery partition and he can restore it to factory fresh.
>>>
>>> Tom
>>> "John Barnes" <JBarnes@email.net> wrote in message
>>> news:EDBCCE00-6D8B-4B33-9E6B-5F56CD193C8B@microsoft.com...
>>>> You cannot install XP over Vista. You however can use an XP install
>>>> disk and reformat the partition and install a fresh copy of XP. If you
>>>> have any data you need to save from Vista, copy it to your external HD
>>>> first. After you get XP set up you can copy your data back into it.
>>>> There is no RECOVERY. One way street only.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "AJ" <AJ@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:29210EBA-ACF7-4D9D-B44F-4E4060BF6F6C@microsoft.com...
>>>>> Ok i am very confused, and do not know a whole lot about this type of
>>>>> thing... All i know is i installed vista, and want it off. Heres the
>>>>> deal, i
>>>>> installed vista as an upgrade, on my computer, XP came with my
>>>>> computer when
>>>>> purchased, All i want to know is can i not just simple, go out,
>>>>> repurchase XP
>>>>> andinstall it just like i did Vista over my XP?
>>>>>
>>>>> If not i know this is a lot of trouble but can someone give me a link
>>>>> to a
>>>>> detailed tutorial on how to go back to XP,
>>>>>
>>>>> My plan was to transfer all my info on to my external HD and then just
>>>>> to a
>>>>> system RECOVERY, so it goes back to factory settings, IS THIS BAD?
>>>>>
>>>>> Please i need help big time, LoL
>>>>>
>>>>> "Todd" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> First, did you back up your data before you installed Vista. If not
>>>>>> consider this to be a learning experiance. In the future, before
>>>>>> installing
>>>>>> unstable and bug ridden operating systems, such as Vista Beta 2:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 1) back up your data. Then after you have backed up the data, make
>>>>>> an image
>>>>>> of your operating system drive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 2) come to the relevant newsgroup and spend several days reading
>>>>>> before you
>>>>>> install the nasty bug ridden OS.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> There are at least two ways to install Vista with one partition. The
>>>>>> usual
>>>>>> way is to upgrade XP to Vista. If that is what you did, your data
>>>>>> should be
>>>>>> in the Vista installation, and you should be able to back it up. Do
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> first.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Now the bad news, if you upgraded Windows XP to Vista, then XP is
>>>>>> gone, and
>>>>>> you cannot uninstall Vista. To get back to Windows XP you must back
>>>>>> up your
>>>>>> data, reformat the partition and reinstall XP. Notice that I keep
>>>>>> repeating
>>>>>> "back up your data". Find your data and back it up. If you can't
>>>>>> find it,
>>>>>> or you don't back it up you are really screwed.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you installed Vista on the same partition as XP then, you have
>>>>>> gone
>>>>>> against Microsofts stern warnings, and you have a dangerously
>>>>>> unstable
>>>>>> system far worse than just the Beta OS itself, but it is possible to
>>>>>> remove
>>>>>> the Vista install and get XP working again, but most people have not
>>>>>> had
>>>>>> good luck with this.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Unless you have a lot of time and really want to have a new learning
>>>>>> experiance, find your data, back it up, and reformat your partition.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Todd
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "YWY" <YWY@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:3AF7F3B3-930C-4225-9DFB-252DB1B287C7@microsoft.com...
>>>>>> > My notebook computer(Thinkpad T43) has only one partition... I
>>>>>> > installed
>>>>>> > vista yesterday. It moved my windows xp("program
>>>>>> files","windows","documents
>>>>>> > and settings") to a folder named windows.old...
>>>>>> > I want to uninstall vista....How to ?
>>>>>> > I really unable to format my harddrive(80GB)...a lot of important
>>>>>> files....
>>>>>> >
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>