I have a windows vista ultimate laptop.When I bought it it had Windows
xp on it.I upgraded it to windows vista then it started rebooting.So
when the computer shop people tried to put Windows xp the computer
didn't respond they said that it is beacause of the sata harddisk.After
somehow they put Windows xp.then my dad put windows vista again.Now it
works properly.but I want to put windows xp now should i do it?

Thanks

If me, I would leave it with Vista. Vista is more advanced and can be better secured.

If you really want to add the old, outdated, and less secure XP, I would add a second drive and install it there for a dual-boot setup, or get a removable drive cage that allows you to swap boot drives.

Quick Note: The way *Windows* is structured, the oldest O/S must be installed first if you desire a Dual-Boot machine.

If you want just XP, you need to find the SATA drivers for it and put them on a diskette then install them when asked duribng the XP install process.

Originally Posted by Dan Penny

Quick Note: The way *Windows* is structured, the oldest O/S must be installed first if you desire a Dual-Boot machine.

That is true because XP uses a different bootloader than Vista and the XP bootloader doesn't know about Vista. It is possible to restore the Vista bootloader from XP but it is very tricky and you'll have to use a third party program. It is a very tricky procedure and if done incorrectly you'll wipe out the bootloader and not be able to boot into XP or Vista. Only advanced users should even attempt the procedure. If I where you I'd stay with Vista. If you really want to use XP I would create a virtual pc using either Microsoft's Virtual PC, Vmware, or Virtual box (note that for Vmware you'll first need the workstation trial to create it and then after that you'll install the player). There are other programs but those are the ones that I've used.

Originally Posted by logankalo

I research http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-us&name=installnha

I have a windows vista ultimate laptop.When I bought it it had Windows
xp on it.I upgraded it to windows vista then it started rebooting.So
when the computer shop people tried to put Windows xp the computer
didn't respond they said that it is beacause of the sata harddisk.After
somehow they put Windows xp.then my dad put windows vista again.Now it
works properly.but I want to put windows xp now should i do it?

Thanks

Well, If I was you, I would upgrade to window 7 ultimate. It is a nice version to use and very useful.

Hi,
Without disputing any of what was posted before ,all I have to say is this:
It is possible to install XP after Vista or Win7.
Yes ,it takes a few steps but if followed properly it will work for a dual- or even a multi-boot setup, whether on the same drive or a separate drive.
Installing XP After Vista or 7 - EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

I have done this numerous times very successfully.

Just be aware that without applying other measures, booting into XP -after you've been in
Vista (or Win7)- will wipe out your System Restore Points on Vista(Win7)
You'll need to hide the Vista partition (or drive) from XP.
What it results in, is that you can't "see" Vista from XP, but you can see XP from Vista.
There are many answers in numerous forums about this ,but this is from "the source"
No restore points are available when you use Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008-based operating systems in a dual-boot configuration together with an earlier Windows operating system

If having System Restore on Vista is not important to you ,because you use other methods of restoration, like imaging or backups,
the above info becomes a non-issue.

Pete.

Also a very good tutorial here: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP ... either installed first.

I do not recommend that the average user use the program that dutchie posted about because if you do something wrong you'll wipe out your boot loader and then you won't be able to boot into either system and restoring the boot loader when you can't boot into windows is quite challenging.

Also I've never had a problem with XP deleting the Vista restore points.

Originally Posted by townsbg

I do not recommend that the average user use the program that dutchie posted about because if you do something wrong you'll wipe out your boot loader and then you won't be able to boot into either system and restoring the boot loader when you can't boot into windows is quite challenging.

Also I've never had a problem with XP deleting the Vista restore points.

Why pick on me? Ztruker posted the link to an excellent tutorial that in essence is identical to what I posted.

Please enlighten everyone what your setup is so that you don't delete your Vista Restore Points?
Even Microsoft indicates that it is a problem and gives the reason.
I indicated that to avoid this is to hide the Vista partition from XP,
so what's your solution?

Even if you were to wipe out the Vista bootloader or even the XP boot.ini ,it's not all that difficult to restore them if this happens.
Most available rescue discs have the facility to do this.
Anyway, why would a person wipe out both boot loaders?

What do you mean by average user? One that is totally inept?
The average user usually doesn't dual boot.It's the slightly more advanced user that will
employ this.
Regardless ,I can teach the average user in short order how to get back into their system.
There is nothing challenging about it. Especially if you're prepared, understand the principle and have a rescue disc and/or your OS install discs available.

Pete.