Using DBAN

[raininginmyhead]

I'm trying to downgrade from Windows Vista to XP Pro, but I've read many forums that say I need to completely whipe my HD in order to do so. In order to do that, they say I need to use the Vista DVD. Unfortunately when I bought the computer, Vista had already been installed and did not come with a DVD. So an alternative suggested in the forums was to use a program called DBAN to whipe the HD. My question is three-fold: Is DBAN safe? If so, where can I get? And will I be able to install XP Pro after it's whiped by booting throught the XP CD?

 

[DrD123]

Hi raininginmyhead,

You can pick up the latest dban here, and yes it is safe and effective for what you need and more:

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

Although you can use almost any bootCD/disk, that can do a format/fdisk, etc... on it, then clear all partitions, bootup to XP CD, create partition, install and you're set.

Good Luck
DrD

 

[raininginmyhead]

Thanks. I guess if it works you'll hear from me .

 

[raininginmyhead]

Ok DBAN did absolutely nothing. I ran it with the "nofloppy" option because I don't have a floppy drive. It said it was complete, but when I reboot what do I find... Windows Vista staring me in the face! I don't know what else to do! Please help!

 

[dkediger]

Boot from the XP CD, select New Install, and then Delete/Create partition?

 

[linney]

How can I install Win XP Pro SP2 on a Vista Pre-installed PC ?
thread779-1373663

 

[raininginmyhead]

Ok, I just ended up installing more RAM and a better video card. That took care of most of the slowness in Vista. Thanks for the help, though.

 

[learningcurb]

Hi Tek. I will give this a try and i will certainly let you know . Thank you very much .

Leaningcurb.

 

[ken07734]

Whenever I do a clean install I use my trusted tried and true Windows 98 SE CD to get me to FDISK and then I use the XP pro CD to start the install or whatever OS I am using at the time.