Heres what you can do.
1. Backup all your important files (If you have a storage drive, this is a cinch)
2. Shutdown or restart and get into the BIOS to set first boot device to CDROM
3. When the message "Press any key to boot to CD..." comes up, press any key (Yes literally ANY KEY!)
4. When the Windows XP setup comes up press the option to install and agree to the EULA (who reads that nowadays >_>)
5. In the partitions screen, delete the Windows vista partition. DO NOT DELETE THE STORAGE PARTITION.
6. What are we trying to do here is to dual boot Windows XP and Windows 7 here. This is highly suggested because you can use/test the much better Windows 7, or go to XP if 7 is having compatibility problems with a program. So, make two partitions 1/2 and 1/2.
7. Format the first partition with a quick or low level format (Low level format if you do not mind waiting).
8. Rest of the stuff is basic from here, copying files CD-Key, language settings, time.
9. Once you're finally into Windows, install all drivers and programs you need.
10. Format the 2nd unformatted partition using Windows XP disk management (Right click My Computer -> Manage -> Disk Management)
11. Take out the Windows XP CD and put in the Windows 7 RC DVD.
12. Restart/Shutdown your computer again.
13. Repeat step 3.
14. Select Language options and continue
15. Press the big Install now button
16. Agree to the EULA as usual and select the 2nd partition. (DO NOT TOUCH THE XP partition at all! [Or the storage partition if you have one])
17. Go read a book/do something else as the installation is pretty much automatic for the next 15-20 minutes.
18. Once finally done, follow the instructions on the screen and finally put in your Windows 7 CD-key.
19. Install drivers/programs for Windows 7.
Done.
1. Backup all your important files (If you have a storage drive, this is a cinch)
2. Shutdown or restart and get into the BIOS to set first boot device to CDROM
3. When the message "Press any key to boot to CD..." comes up, press any key (Yes literally ANY KEY!)
4. When the Windows XP setup comes up press the option to install and agree to the EULA (who reads that nowadays >_>)
5. In the partitions screen, delete the Windows vista partition. DO NOT DELETE THE STORAGE PARTITION.
6. What are we trying to do here is to dual boot Windows XP and Windows 7 here. This is highly suggested because you can use/test the much better Windows 7, or go to XP if 7 is having compatibility problems with a program. So, make two partitions 1/2 and 1/2.
7. Format the first partition with a quick or low level format (Low level format if you do not mind waiting).
8. Rest of the stuff is basic from here, copying files CD-Key, language settings, time.
9. Once you're finally into Windows, install all drivers and programs you need.
10. Format the 2nd unformatted partition using Windows XP disk management (Right click My Computer -> Manage -> Disk Management)
11. Take out the Windows XP CD and put in the Windows 7 RC DVD.
12. Restart/Shutdown your computer again.
13. Repeat step 3.
14. Select Language options and continue
15. Press the big Install now button
16. Agree to the EULA as usual and select the 2nd partition. (DO NOT TOUCH THE XP partition at all! [Or the storage partition if you have one])
17. Go read a book/do something else as the installation is pretty much automatic for the next 15-20 minutes.
18. Once finally done, follow the instructions on the screen and finally put in your Windows 7 CD-key.
19. Install drivers/programs for Windows 7.
Done.