Windows Vista vs. XP

I'm running Windows Vista on my rig right now. I've got Windows XP sitting on one partition and Vista on another. I'm trying to wipe the old OS entirely without nuking all my old files in the process. Anyone else out there rocking Vista, and what's the verdict on it so far?
P.S. Trying to just delete it through Windows Explorer isn't doing the trick.

You can't just go around deleting Windows like it’s some kind of casual errand; the smartest move is to migrate all your files over to the partition running Vista, wipe the XP partition entirely, and then shuffle everything back onto a clean, freshly formatted drive...

A buddy of mine actually tried your method of just deleting the OS, but he ended up stuck with about 4 GB of mysterious, ghost-like junk data that refused to budge, leaving him with no choice but to format the whole partition just to get some peace and quiet...

And what kind of tool did he use to format her?

1. Seriously, Vista is such a nightmare. I mean, why on earth would you even bother touching Vista if you can't even handle a mouse properly to begin with...?

2. Just back up all your files, wipe those drives completely, and do a fresh install of Windows. Honestly, after seeing a question like that, I’m pretty sure your PC would actually thank you for the clean slate...

Are you kidding me right now? Look, just quit the attitude—if you can't actually help, then don't bother, but if someone genuinely needs a hand, they should be able to ask without getting chewed out. I know you’re solid and you already helped me fix a massive headache once before, so there's no need to go to war over every little thing. If you actually take a look at the user profiles, you'll see plenty of younger guys here who are eager to learn and clearly know their stuff, even if they haven't mastered everything yet. So, tell me, have you ever actually worked with Vista?

How can I restore the CZSS icon using the quick access settings? How should I configure this after installing Windows WP😕 😕

Nope, I don't have Vista... and honestly, there’s a pretty good reason for that.

And look, nope, it's not that I have anything against people learning stuff, but my goodness, just read what you wrote!

Maybe just make a backup onto a DVD, and then go ahead and start reinstalling XP... you know, from the actual XP installation itself, you can format—like, wipe and recreate—partitions however you want...

Check out this tutorial...

Look, I’m really not looking to start an argument here, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this. It looks like once Vista finally hits the streets, we’re going to run into a massive headache with networking—specifically regarding PunkBuster—not to mention all the games. Between the two, there's also that StarForce integration built right in, which has me worried it might actually end up wrecking our CD/DVD drives.

The only real addition to Vista is the DRM, and honestly, it feels like more of the same. Maybe they’ll claim the GUI needs a high-end graphics card to run smoothly too.

rustyheron20 said:So, what kind of tool did they use to format it?

They didn't use any special tool because we handle everything manually here...

You can wipe them out using this method:

If you have Windows XP on your C partition and Windows Vista on your D partition, when you boot up the system, you'll see a menu asking which version of Windows you want to load, at which point you will naturally select Windows Vista.
Essentially, you need to boot from the D partition—meaning you have to be running Vista.
First, try right-clicking on the C partition and selecting Format, which, in theory, should allow you to format the entire partition without any annoying questions.
If that doesn't work for you, just open the command prompt... switch over to the D partition (since you obviously can't format C while you're currently sitting on it, and to switch to D, you simply type D: )
then type format /? and spend an afternoon looking through all the different options for formatting the C partition to keep yourself entertained...

Despite whatever it is you're trying to accomplish, I have to point out that everyone else is actually right! I honestly don't understand why you would bother switching to Vista; Windows XP is perfectly fine, whereas Vista hasn't even reached its final, polished state yet, so all you're going to get out of it—despite those flashy new interfaces—is a massive headache ranging from driver issues to being unable to play newer games. Just think back to when Windows XP first launched and how hundreds of updates have been released since then... and that’s just the beginning for Vista..

Just hang in there for a bit... and if you're really that bored, instead of struggling with these kinds of problems... just play Tetris...

Hobo Soccer is such a blast... as long as there are at least two of you 🙂

c: is always c: ... I mean, that's your system partition right there, and usually Windows won't even let you touch it or partition it... regardless of whether you've got your actual OS sitting on D: or somewhere else entirely...

If you ask me, you should probably move all your vital files over to a DVD, a thumb drive, or—if you're feeling really old school—some floppy disks before you start messing around with different versions of Windows. There's a massive chance that something could go sideways, and you'll end up losing both your data and your OS in one fell swoop! Honestly, the smartest and most foolproof way to handle this is to back everything up, wipe both your C and D drives completely, and then perform a nice, clean installation of that much-coveted Vista you've been eyeing. Now, if you just want to play around and experiment, then sure, Vista is fine, but for any kind of actual, serious work? I’m telling you, stick with Windows XP Professional.

Joseph Chavez7 said:He didn't use any formatting tools, we do everything manually here....

You can wipe them out this way;

Say you have Windows XP on your C partition and Windows Vista on D, when you boot the system, a menu pops up asking which Windows you want to load, so obviously you’re going to pick Windows Vista.
Basically, you need to be running the OS from the D partition. It has to be Vista.
First, just try right-clicking the C partition and hitting Format, which should normally let you wipe the whole thing without any hassle.
If that doesn't work, pull up the command prompt... switch over to the D partition (since you can't format C while you're currently sitting on it, and to switch to D, you just type D: )
then type format /? and just spend an afternoon looking through all the options for formatting the C partition if you're bored enough...

Despite what you're trying to pull off, I have to say the others have a point. I don't get why you'd bother switching to Vista; Windows XP is solid, and Vista hasn't even hit its final version yet, so you're basically just inviting trouble, from driver issues to being unable to run newer games. Just think back to when Windows XP first dropped and look at the hundreds of updates they've pushed since... wait until you see what happens with Vista..

Just hang tight for a bit... and if you've got nothing better to do instead of messing around with these kinds of headaches... play Tetris...

I'm not exactly clueless when it comes to switching to D:.🙂 When Windows XP first came out, I didn't even know how to turn a computer on. I don't recall the exact date, but I'm 14 now, so do the math. Right now, my mentor and I are trying to install Vista on a computer at school, so I've got nothing to lose. On my laptop at home, I'm sticking with good old Windows XP.

rustyheron20 said:I wouldn't say I'm so clueless that I don't know how to move files over to the D: drive.🙂 When Windows XP first dropped, I didn't even know how to actually "turn on a computer." I can't remember the exact year it came out, but I'm 14 now, so you do the math. My mentor and I are currently trying to install Vista on the school computers, so there isn't really anything at stake here. On my laptop at home, I'm still running a perfectly fine version of Windows XP.

1. Moving stuff to the D drive—just saying...
2. You're 14—you're just a kid...
3. A mentor—what is he teaching, gym class? Because if he doesn't know this, what does he know...
4. School—just wipe everything and pocket the hardware; there's nothing to lose, right?
5. A laptop—must be nice to have the cash...

In that case, just pop in the Vista disc, boot from it, format both drives, and enjoy your brand-new installation of Vista...
If your data is truly that precious, just move it all to the D drive, then reinstall Vista from the disc onto the C drive by formatting only C, since rowdytrucker27 claims that C is the system partition and that Windows "usually" won't let you mess with partitioning... Now, if that supposed "rule" actually holds up (because Windows is Windows, and we all know how much they respect "rules"), then once you have everything neatly organized on C, you can move the data back and format the D drive by right-clicking it and hitting format. Then the D drive will definitely format without any issues...

Joseph Chavez7 said:1. Just move everything to the D drive... just saying..
2. 14 - kid..
3. Mentor - what's the point if he doesn't know anything... PE class?
4. School - wipe everything, strip the components.. you've got nothing to lose.. right?
5. Laptop - money isn't an issue...

In that case, just pop in a Windows Vista disc, boot from it, wipe both drives, and enjoy a fresh install of Vista...
If those files are actually that important, just shove them onto the D drive, reinstall Vista from the disc onto C, and format only C in the process, since rowdytrucker27 claims C is the system partition and that "generally" Windows won't let you partition it... Well, if that "rule" actually holds up (because Windows is Windows.. and we all know how they feel about most "rules")... then once you have everything looking sharp on C, you move the data back and format D by right-clicking it and hitting format. Then you can definitely format D without any issues..

1. Fine.
2. I'm genuinely curious what you were up to when you were my age.
3. You're not wrong there. He's a moron.
4. For what it's worth, we had the cops show up at our school one day because of a computer science thing.
5. Got it for the crisis.

I'll let you know when I get it done.

I've heard all about that DRM technology they use, and honestly? There's no way I'm ever touching Vista. It just sounds like a headache.

Kenneth Murphy5 said:I’ve heard there’s DRM involved in that technology, so I’m definitely staying far away from Vista—it just seems so stupid.

I mean, I'm pretty much already DRM infected since I use an old Sony MP3 player.
😍

Joseph Chavez7 said:4. School—just wipe everything clean and swipe the components. You’ve got nothing to lose... right?

I'm gonna go clear out 25GB of mice over the weekend...😁 just like him...

DRM is just as garbage as Windows Media Player and everything else Microsoft puts out