I am formatting a hard drive with a Virus, this computer is running Windows Vista and I want to load XP, can I?

Wow, stressed out and very complicated answers for a very simple question!

Firstly, if you wipe everything off the hard disk, there will definitely be no virus left.

Secondly, if you install something like Linux (Mint is nice, Ubuntu is popular, Fedora is cool - they all do the same job and cost nothing, have no licence issues, and are legally and genuinely free - as in Free and Open Source; extremely safe and secure too).

Thirdly, if you install XP, then you can use Windows without the crap that comes with Vista - and it really is a nightmare unless you use the Ultimate version and continually do image backups (which will totally clean any virus, as long as it doesn't exist in any of the backups...).

I'd recommend a two strategy solution.

1. If you know how many GB your disk is, then divide this number - give yourself a huge D: (Data, or Storage) partition, reserve 60GB for Windows, and 60GB For Linux (or less for Linux, but not really less than 20GB I think).

2. Get yourself some liveCD install disks for Fedora or Mint or whatever takes your fancy, try booting them from the CD to see how well the desktop works on your system... If it's good, then hold on to it. This disk is very useful for booting your system not using the hard disk, browsing the disk and recovering anything. It's also immune to virus or malware... You could use this to copy any files you want and burn them to DVD or copy them to an external/internal hard disk (it might be an idea to buy a second drive if you don't already have one)

3. Use the liveCD to shrink your Vista partition, make a new, clean partition, and backup any personal files before you continue.

Install XP giving it 60GB partition (if you need that much, not for your documents and settings, just for your install you can use 30GB - I use more cos I install games too...)

4. Install Linux and feel safe that whenever you turn on your com, if you hit the arrow keys you can boot from Linux if XP messes up, or XP if you mess up your Linux.

5. Right click on 'My Documents' and move that sucker to the Data partition (formatted to NTFS - you can use the Linux disk, or Windows, to do this...)

6. Set up your Linux file explorer shortcuts - add your XP document folders for easy access (so you can use Rhythmbox or Banshee to manage your music when you're using Linux...)

I can only guarantee that Linux is legal, and that you can install XP - but not sure about the legality (quite frankly I despise Microsoft, so I don't give a toss anyway).

7. If you find that you can do nearly everything in Linux you need to do, but have a few things missing, then just work at it a while. Now I have XP installed twice - once on HDD for playing games, and the second installation is in a virtualbox so I can boot it and launch it in a window from my linux desktop (fullscreen on a virtual desktop, or seamlessly integrated) - I need it to use MSN or Yahoo video chat (skype works in linux) and also because my Canon Printer prints nicely, but it won't print photo's properly without the windows driver.

Hello Terry First off, formatting may not get rid of the virus, the new ones are very tenacious you should use a driver scrubber sadly this will remove both the formatting and the data to restore the Vista OS one of the many failings of the OS. you can get around that by using a disk cloner but if the virus is embedded then you may not get it out. second to insure you do in fact remove the said virus you can get a free disk scrubber. and if you have a bootable XP OS disk then you can install it but wait, you will need to create a partition, for both vista and XP one each, and install the OS's on each ONE OS per partition, i will put a link below to get you to where you need to go and get the free tools to do this. You will also need the drivers for each piece of hardware in your computer, for the mother board, sound, video, Ethernet, Modem, and so on... make sure you have all of the drivers for XP on a disk and vista as well. once you scrub the disk and create the partitions you can then use the bootable OS disks to install the os's on to your hard drive. and use them both. some new computers will allow your Cmos to set up VPM virtual private machines, but i would not use that method, its better to just use the partition and install every thing separate. if these steps are unclear or you need further help i will be on yahoo messenger howdoidothis01 or email the same @yahoo.com and we can go over this together step by step so you understand completely.

Yes. First you need to make sure you are allowed to install your copy of XP on more than one system. If that is an issue. Otherwise, if your XP cd is bootable, then make sure the system is completely turned off, and the cd is in the cd drive. turn on the system, when it asks what you want to boot from, choose cd. During the setup you will be asked if you want to format the drive, and/or add/del/erase partitions. Make sure you delete the current partition, and create a new one, using maximum amount of space allowed, and install XP. Good luck.

yes! you just need to make sure you delete the partition on the installation otherwise you will still have the virus. and if the XP disk is from a past computer, disonnect the older computer from online and use the serial # from the old one to be able to use windows.

"I want to load XP, can I?"

If your Windows XP CD label is branded (HP, Dell, etc.) and it didn't come with your current PC, or, it's an OEM disk, or, it's an Upgrade XP CD, the simple answer is NO.

TIP: Before you format your hard drive, RTFM, read the PC User Manual to learn:

How to burn your very own Vista Recovery DVDs.

How to return your PC to "factory New" condition.

AND, most importantly, How to back up all your personal data, FIRST.

hi terry p, yes you can install windows xp first but dig this it is really neat install your windows xp in your E:\ driver and you know reboot and when you see your windows logo start tapping f12 then boot from usb cdrom and apply and start tapping any button till you see your scan begin and let it scan it will ask do you want to install windows xp next there is your petitions hit D ENTER then L thats right we are deleteing our petitions then next then format the long version and go ahead and install windows xp but if you keep this and install vista then windows xp will be sent to a dead file you can acess it but cannot use anything in that file now we know that is a waste so go ahead and install vista like we did xp but when you come to your petitions here hit advance there delete your petitions again and go ahead and install vista. good luck hope i was helpful to you

No you can't.First of all its idiotic to install windows XP in year 2010 on a computer that was made for Vista. Second the CD you have is probably OEM that means the product key is tied to the original hardware.

yes you can but first you must change the IDE configuration in the bios to Compatible or otherwise it wont recognize XP

yes, sure. Just make sure you have the correct drivers.

No you cant and why install XP when it is obsolete in 2012.