I want to go back

[pastorleon]

Hello,

A few weeks ago I installed Vista RC2 Build 5744 on my machine. I like it I for the most part but am not totally elated. I was considering going back to XP because of a few minor things that I am sure will be fixed on the retail version of Vista but I am not convinced that Vista will be all that much more than the XP that I have already purchased years ago.

Now, my daughter got a Zune for Christmas and as most of you know Zune is a no-go with Vista. I understand there was a patch released on 19 DEC but even with that installed it says that it is not operational with the OS I am using (VISTA).

Now to make a long story short (too late I know). I want to go back to XP. I have backed up onto a CD everything I need. Can I simply put the XP disc in and run a clean install?

If that is OK to do, I have another concern, my AVG has a virus in the isolation vault. (Trojan Horse Downloader.Zlob.DT which is not healable)Should I be concerned about that. (I had a horrendous experience with Spy Falcon two years ago, it wiped me out completely when I tried to delete it.

Anyway, I just want my XP life back, if what I am suggesting is not the right way to go please I am open and eager to hear any other suggestions.

Thank-you in advance, this site is invaluable.

The Rev.

[Panama Red]

Yes, you should be able to use the XP cd to do a fresh install. What are the items you have backed up onto a CD? If they are Documents, pics, music, etc. those will be restorable to the XP install. All programs will need to be reinstalled. Unless this "backup" is an image that you can resotre. If it's an image, your restoration program should format the hdd before restoring the image effedtively removing the Vista installation.

Is Zlob.DT in the XP virus vault or the Vista? If it's in the XP, I would suggest a fresh install with the XP disk. If it's in Vista, a full format should eliminate it.

[pastorleon]

Thank you Panama.

The only thing I want to keep is a few documents. Fantasy baseball draft list and things of this nature. I have printed all of that out. I am more than willing to re-install any games or other things that I use.

The virus is in the Vista virus vault. And when I put Vista on it was another clean install. So XP is not involved with that in the least.

Thanks again,

The Rev.

[pastorleon]

I think I need some additional direction. When I put the XP disc into the drive and choose to install it, it said it could not install because there was a newer operating system on my computer (vista).

I suppose I have to uninstall vista first, but I am not certain exactly how to do that. Any help would be much appreciated.

The Rev.

[Panama Red]

No real way to "uninstall" Vista. You need to reformat the hard drive. Can you boot to the XP CD and select new install and get to the point to Delete the existing partition? That will allow you to remove Vista and format the drive for the XP install. The bios needs to be set to boot from CD drive first before the hard drive.

[kev7555]

Yes, it sounds as though you are trying to install XP from within Windows. Make sure the CD is in the reader and restart the computer. When you get the prompt "press any key to boot from CD", do so.

You should then be able to select a fresh install of XP. When you get to the screen showing existing partitions on the drive, delete all partitions, create a new one, format it and install XP on that partition.

When you have completed the install, be sure to scan all of your saved files with an anti-virus program before introducing these saved files into the new system, especially if you believe that you had malware on the previous OS.

-Kev

[pastorleon]

Thank you so much. I did as instructed and thought we had the problem licked for a few minutes in any event. Then I was rudely informed that what I had was an Upgrade edition of XP not the full version. I was running Win 98 in 2002 when I upgraded. So it would not install.

I assume I have the following choices.

1. Buy an apple
2. Buy the full tilt vista in January
3. Learn Linux
4. Scream and jump up and down really hard.
5. Dust off my Victrola and yearn for the good ole days.

The Rev.

[Panama Red]

You can still use the upgrade disk. You'll need a 98, ME or 2000 disk to "show" the pc when it can't find a previous install and wants you to validate it.