Help, I am in Vista Hell

[DanG]

Originally Posted by EmilyB

I know how to install updates etc. but you lost me at format the drive.

It will ask you if you want to install windows, say yes, it will ask if you want to repair the existing install of windows, say no and then it will ask you about the file format and if you want to format, you want format (NTFS), not quick format NTFS.

[EmilyB]

Originally Posted by DanG

It will ask you if you want to install windows, say yes, it will ask if you want to repair the existing install of windows, say no and then it will ask you about the file format and if you want to format, you want format (NTFS), not quick format NTFS.

Is my problem the fact that it is the Home Edition? It just says the installed version is newer and won't install.

[Buccaneer]

I built a 4200 dual core machine with 2 Gig Ram and 500Gig HD ... loaded vista and my memory usage when the machine idled was over 45%

Did some downloading and ram jumped to 75% usage and even up to 95% at times ... running just basic stuff


got fed up and loaded XP Pro last weekend and have not been above 10% ram ever since


I just booted from the XP CD as mentioned before ... full format of the drive ... and new XP install

[EmilyB]

Okay I found the XP Version that came with my Dell. I booted with it, nothing happened.

[ridder]

You may have to go into the bios to change the boot options. If you
have a Dell computer, when starting the computer press the F2 key and
it will go into the bios setup. When you're in the bios setup screen look for
boot options and then change to cd-rom for first boot option. Just look on the bottom of the screen and it will tell you how to make changes. When you
exit out make sure you save changes. When you exit out, the computer should restart and a screen should appear. ( Press any key to boot with cd )
press any key and windows xp should start loading drivers, just follow the steps.


Here's a link: http://www.helpdesk.umd.edu/topics/t...ows_2000/4349/

[DanG]

when booting on a dell with the restore cd in the drive, hit F12 to bring up the temporary boot menu and it will ask what device you want to boot from, tell it the CDROM drive and then the rest of the steps should show up.

[EmilyB]

I appreciate this so much !

I got rid of the user controls.

When I go into the boot setup, these are my choices:

P1-HL-DT-STDVD-RAM-G5A-H30N
Generic - Compact
Generic - SM/XD Picture
Generic - SD/MMC
Generic - M5/M5PRO
Hitachi HDT725050VLA

Which one do I pick?

[EmilyB]

Okay I figured that out. I've learned a lot today. Slipstreamed an XP2 boot disk, found out it won't install because of the hardware drivers, found out I can't do a dual boot because Windows Vista Home Premium came pre-installed on the system and they do not give you a Vista CD.

Called Future Shop and they told me the drivers aren't available to make XP2 work on my system (unless I find someone on line who writes their own) and that I am stuck with what I've got.

Thank you Bill Gates.

[Aquattro]

I find it hard to believe there are no XP drivers for something made today. But really, with some tweaking the Vista install should not be problematic.

[EmilyB]

Brad, apparently the system I just bought is the reason. I would need to get the XP drivers for the hardware and they just aren't available.