Installing Windows XP after installing Windows 7 - Saxperience

Paul^p · 21st March 2011, 14:13

I installed windows 7, just to test it out like.

Not a massive fan and i've tried installing windows XP (L) but it doesn't work and i was getting an error message. (cant remember it off top of my head as it was last week).

However i googled the error message and apparently you can't install an older version of windows (xp) once you've installed a new one (windows 7). According to the google results anyway.

Anyone experienced this, or know a way i can get around this?... apart from getting a new hard drive. I can't completely format the harddrive at the moment, it doesn't let me as it says it would remove Boot Manager software, which would leave the computer inoperable.

kinjo · 21st March 2011, 14:55

i did this on my netbook, wish i hadnt, the battery only lasts 4/5 hours now where with xp i got 7/8 hours with it

kinjo · 21st March 2011, 14:56

sorry meant to say, cant you create a partition on the hard drive and load xp there??

Paul^p · 21st March 2011, 14:57

Yeah i've tried that,

But when i do, it gives me the error, saying i can't install and older version of windows. :\

Brenz · 21st March 2011, 16:47

Completely format it from a different computer. Ask a friend or whatever if you can use their computer, hook the HDD up to a free IDE or SATA port and format it there.

Penn · 21st March 2011, 18:10

You can't 'downgrade' windows to an older version so it's working as intended.

If I were you I would give 7 another go, it's by far and away better than XP in every possible way.

If you absolutely want to go back in time 10 years and carry on using XP, format the drive in another PC as Brenz said. Make sure you format it in NTFS though if it gives you the option.

Paul^p · 21st March 2011, 23:15

I love windows XP

Looks like im going to have to unplug hard drive, plug it into another computer, format it and install xp on it that way.

Cheers for help guys.

haz_pro · 21st March 2011, 23:38

You might be able to use a linux live usb to format the HDD whilst its still in the computer, someone correct me if i am wrong!

Brenz · 22nd March 2011, 00:25

Yeah Linux might work.

May have found an easier way for you though. Insert your XP Disk boot it. Then instead of selecting "Install" or whatever it is use the Repair/Recovery by pressing "r".

This will launch a command line interface where you can format the disk just select the hdd from the list by entering the number (Usually Number 1) then enter:

FORMAT [drive letter]: /Q /FMT:NTFS

See if that works. If the format command gives an error you can get help by typing@

FORMAT /?

Hope this helps

haz_pro · 22nd March 2011, 00:43

Sounds like a good idea actually, could even do it with the windows 7 CD if the XP one wont boot.

Paul^p · 22nd March 2011, 00:45

Cheers guys i'll try all your suggestions in the morning, let you know if i get anywhere with them

Manu · 22nd March 2011, 07:09

quit windows and go into ms-dos.
type: del *.*
reinstall XP

Acceptu · 22nd March 2011, 09:28

If your hard drive is big enough get some software like Acronis directors suit or partition magic and resize the windows 7 partition.

Change the boot order in the bias so that it boots from cd and boot to the the xp cd to avoid the upgrading message saying it is a newer version, it will be a fresh install but that the best you can do when it comes to getting back to xp from 7 and not having to completely format your hard drive and losing your files, you can always delete the partition at a later date or boot back into windows 7 by using the windows 7 cds build in recovery console to rebuild the master boot record

Steve · 18th April 2011, 10:43

Last time i did it, just stuck the Windows XP disc in, booted from it. Select install, select the disk, do a full format and then xp runs through the install as usual.

RustySkull · 28th April 2011, 18:45

You should always put XP first, you can just format the disc and start from scratch