How to Format a Vista Operating System With Windows XP
- 1). Obtain your Windows XP product key. If you bought the retail version of XP, the product key is on a sticker in the folder that contains the installation CD. If you have the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version of XP, its product key sticker will be on the side or rear of the computer case. The OEM version commonly comes installed on pre-built computers from manufacturers such as Dell and HP.
If you purchased an OEM version at a store, the product key will be on a card that came with the CD's packaging. If you cannot locate your product key, your only legal choice is to purchase another copy of Windows XP. Most retail stores no longer sell XP, but you can obtain it from online stores such as Amazon.com or Newegg.com. - 2). Set your computer to boot from a CD. By default, your computer will boot the hard drive that contains an operating system. Therefore, you must enter the motherboard's BIOS (Basic Input-Output System) settings and change this behavior. When you start the computer, it should list the key on your keyboard that you need to press to access the BIOS. This key varies by manufacturers, but common choices are the "F2" and "Delete" keys. "Delete" may be abbreviated as "Del" on your keyboard.
A motherboard's settings menus also vary by manufacturer, so you must refer to their documentation to set the computer to check your CD/DVD drive for bootable media. Once you have saved your settings and exited the BIOS, the computer will restart. You may be prompted to press a key to access the CD in the drive. If you do not press a key, the computer will boot the hard drive as normal. - 3). Access the Windows XP installer by pressing a key when prompted by your computer. After a brief loading process, you will be shown the first setup menu. Press the "Enter" key, then "F8." Press "Enter" again to format the pre-selected section of the hard drive containing Windows Vista. Format it using NTFS (unless you have devices or software that require FAT32 instead of NTFS), preferably the "Quick" method. The installer will now format the drive and begin installing XP. Follow the on-screen prompts as they come up, one of which includes entering the product key. The installation process should take 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your computer's speed.
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