Reinstallation of xp

I was wondering why when I put the Windows XP installation disk into my
Compaq Evo N800c I get the message that tells me it can not proceed because
Vista is installed on it.

In order to install my LEGAL Vista OS, I had to increase RAM from 256MB
(which was in the computer when I purchased it) to 1GB. Then I was successful
in installing Vista, no problems.

But can anyone tell me how to either re-install XP, or make my computer able
to run both XP and Vista (Dual Booting, I think it's referred to as).

I want to know too, if it is possible to make a backup copy of the OS
installation disk for future use if the need arises.
--
Geoff

John
Sun May 04 05:37:19 PDT 2008

You need two separate partitions on the hard disk to do this, you cannot
install Windows XP on the same partition where Vista is installed. You
can make a copy of the operating system cd/dvd with proper burning
software, almost all newer burning software has the ability to burn
bootable CD/DVD.

John

Geoff wrote:

> I was wondering why when I put the Windows XP installation disk into my
> Compaq Evo N800c I get the message that tells me it can not proceed because
> Vista is installed on it.
>
> In order to install my LEGAL Vista OS, I had to increase RAM from 256MB
> (which was in the computer when I purchased it) to 1GB. Then I was successful
> in installing Vista, no problems.
>
> But can anyone tell me how to either re-install XP, or make my computer able
> to run both XP and Vista (Dual Booting, I think it's referred to as).
>
> I want to know too, if it is possible to make a backup copy of the OS
> installation disk for future use if the need arises.

Daave
Sun May 04 06:19:36 PDT 2008

"Geoff" <Geoff@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C4FE3067-A522-43BB-9B58-224D014C1479@microsoft.com...
>I was wondering why when I put the Windows XP installation disk into my
> Compaq Evo N800c I get the message that tells me it can not proceed
> because
> Vista is installed on it.
>
> In order to install my LEGAL Vista OS, I had to increase RAM from
> 256MB
> (which was in the computer when I purchased it) to 1GB. Then I was
> successful
> in installing Vista, no problems.

> But can anyone tell me how to either re-install XP, or make my
> computer able
> to run both XP and Vista (Dual Booting, I think it's referred to as).

If you have a *full* version of Vista (not an upgrade disk), then you
can try a dual boot:

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dualboot_vista_with_xp__stepbystep_guide_with_screenshots.htm

If you would rather just revert to XP, then you would need to perform a
clean install:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

What kind of XP disk do you have? Did it come with your Compaq?

> I want to know too, if it is possible to make a backup copy of the OS
> installation disk for future use if the need arises.

Just use a program like Nero to burn a copy of your OS disks. Very good
idea to do so, by the way.