Bascially, some programs i have, i can't use them under vista. So i want to install xp. I want to be able to choose between vista n xp on dos. But apparently, i can't seem to install vista cause the installation won't let me. I heard you can't install a lower version of windows. So is there ANY way of installing it?

I believe you have to have Vista installed first to do that. It's called dual booting (if you don't know that alreadt). If you have Vista already installed then you can install XP too. Here's a simple Google search of "dual boot Vista and XP".

Nope, sorry but you have to install XP first. Here's how:

 

 

 

First install XP wiping all partition information and creating a partition for XP, leaving enough free space for a vista partition.

 

 

 

After installing XP install Vista, using the free space. Vista will install it's own boot block and give you a Dual boot option screen at boot.

 

 

 

This is the same for all MS OSs and products such as office etc. The older version should be installed before the new product.

What programs won't work? Chances are you might be able to get them to work under vista, not garenteed though.

 

 

 

 

 

If not just follow Clare's instructions.

Clare, does vista have an improved boot manager over xp? Cause as much as ive used xp, I've never been able to get it to boot up anything else.

Getting XP to boot between multiple installs is fairly easy if you read up on how to edit boot.ini correctly. I currently have 2 XP installs in my boot list because I recently bought a new drive and just installed XP fresh because my last install was getting rather cluttered. Being able to choose which install to load without messing with other options is oh so usefull. :mrgreen:

 

 

 

Doing what Clare suggested would be the best method, as editing boot.ini can end up breaking things if you don't edit the correct lines.

Clare, does vista have an improved boot manager over xp? Cause as much as ive used xp, I've never been able to get it to boot up anything else.

 

Yes, Vista's boot manager is far superior. Alternatively you could add a 2nd hard drive, install Vista on one, XP on the other and use the BIOS to select the drive order. This will mean that they both are completely independent and have no effect on each other and still be able to read data off either.