If after playing around inside Vista and you want to remove it from your system and reclaim the hard drive space. There isn't a very defined way to get back to a state before you installed Vista. This is the method I used --- so I know it works.

Boot up your computer into Windows XP.
Ensure you have the Vista DVD inserted -- but don't let it state installing.
Inside XP, goto “Start” and “Run” and type cmd then type in
“e:\boot\bootsect.exe /nt52 c: /force” (without quotes, and replacing e: with the drive letter of your Vista DVD), after it's finished -- remove the Vista DVD.
Restart computer and it boots right into XP, no Vista boot loader menu.

Now you can remove two files (Boot.BAK & Bootsect.BAK) on your XP drive’s root folder (C:) and format the partition/drive where you had Vista installed.

Use your partition software to merge your partitions together if ness., now you have returned your computer to its previous state, without Vista and without the new bootloader.

----------That should have done it---------------

Worse case scenario if the above didn't work and you can't get back into XP ( Not likely ) but if not.

Boot to your XP repair console and copy these two files:

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

Then type:

fixboot
fixmbr

Remove CD and restart --- finished.

How about a format then a clean install of XP, as I’m not sure whether Vista will uninstall without any leftover files or not?

I don't run Vista and don't intend to for at least two years.
The only problem I see here is that if a pc is exclusively designed for Vista and also incorporates hardware designed for Vista a person may have problems trying to install XP on to said pc.
The same applies in a vice versa situation.

Hello:

I was about to post this question as a new thread, but maybe this is the place to bring this up; I have been
thinking about investing in a new desktop or laptop, and all of the new ones are loaded with Vista. Although I have enjoyed burning CD's and photos, and have done some intermediate upgrades and repairs, I am neither a experienced tech person or a hobbiest. I use, and sorely count on, my PC to run my sales business, so it is critical for it to be fully functional. Having said all that, it is also critical that I do not have to spend lots of daylight hours learning new OP's or fixing things.

I try to apply the KISS principle to everything possible, so if this is stupid, consider the source. Why can't a person purchase a new PC, loaded with Vista, and partition the HD in a way that enables dual boot? Let all the Vista stuff just sit there, and run your favorites and do your day to day on XP Is this not feasible?

Thanks yall. If this is in the wrong place, I apologize.

I read this earlier (several months earlier) and paid no attention to it,but I am definitely not happy with Vista and want my XP back. There are two problems, however. Vista came preinstalled on this computer, so I have no operating system CD and I also don't have an XP operating system CD. I had spoken with the HP tech yesterday and he told me that downgrading just could not be done. However, I have heard of Microsoft's quietly letting people downgrade because they don't like Vista, so this morning, I decided to try again via HP's
"Chat with a Live Technician" and the live technician gave me two links which show how to uninstall Vista and install XP (I think). I checked one of them out. That one is to reinstall XP and remove a Vista upgrade. HP Tech 2 (the one I chatted with this morning) was trying not to let me downgrade by trying to scare me into keeping Vista because tech said I'd have to download drivers from 3rd party sites. So what? I've done that before. I also must purchase an XP Pro CD (not from them--HP won't sell me one.) However, I can buy one. What are the steps in getting rid of a preinstlled Vista and installing XP? If this is the wrong thread, I apologize, but I saw the title and thought "What a perfect place to put my post!"

You first need to confirm you can get XP drivers for your mobo etc...Some new machines can't be down graded due to lack of drivers.

how do I find the name of the motherboard installed in my computer?

did you try searching on the manufacturers website to see if it can tell you? If you can't find it on the website this program should be able to help you. http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php I am not positive if this program will list the motherboard manufacturer or not but its worth a shot. The program lists the brands of all the drivers chips ect on the pc and should help you. Go to the link and click on pcwizard download.

I spoke with another tech yesterday (actually I spoke to his answering service and yesterday he left me a message and last night he sent me a message and today we have been e mailing each other. It seems that this tech has more experience that the other guy and this tech says that he knows where to find drivers and he already has an operating system disk (XP Home OEM) and he's coming tomorrow morning to pick up my PC. He says he will copy all data and then do a clean install that will remove Vista completely. I am a happy person tonight.

Thanks everybody for your help. Tech number 2 came yesterday morning and picked up the computer and brought it back later yesterday afternoon. Vista is gone!