How do I roll back an installation of XP PRO to XP Home

[OceanDesigner]

I installed XP Pro on my laptop and my desktop. Since then I learned that is only allowed with Office products. My activation period for my desktop has expired and I need to re-install XP Home. Problem is, I cannot log on so I have no way of initiating the installation. I tried to get on in Safe mode, and I tried to boot straight from the CD. Neither works. What can I do?

 

[Happo]

You need to enter the bios and change your boot order. Put the cd drive as first preference and then save settings and reboot with the XP Home disk in the drive. Watch the screen as it boots you often need to press a key when requested to initiate booting from the cd.

 

[linney]

Once you get the CD to boot this will help you.

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


For more help (shows enlargeable screenshots) go here.

http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm

If your CD (for some reason) is not bootable you may be able to start the install from DOS.

307848 - HOW TO: Start Setup from MS-DOS in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307848&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH