I would like to make a custom boot disc that is very simple to the user. All it would do is restore an image from 6 DVDs to a hard drive. The only options I would like the user to see is: 1) format drive 2) restore drive 3) exit I would like to create this menu and all sub menus that I see fit. I have seen UBCD but it is too complicated for the people I know. I would like to use Driveimage XML and have it read the discs one at a time to restore the drive. Any suggestions?
posted by CodeMonkey on Nov 30, 2009 - 8 answers

I'm trying to get my old files off of an old Hard-disk. Old PC is XP newer PC is Vista. I removed the Hardisk from the OLD computer. I bought a USB to SATA/IDE cable. When I plug in the Hard-disk via USB, I hear the confirmation tone that you hear everytime you plug in a USB. I see a "ST340082 0AS SCSI Disk Device" in the "Safely remove hardware" icon in the tray. but I do not see the Drive. I can't really afford an External Hard drive. But I will eventually if I have to. Cna anyone help me please.
posted by Student of Man on Oct 27, 2009 - 12 answers

What is up with my music files' titles turning into nonsensical four-letter titles? [more inside]
posted by ishotjr on Sep 8, 2009 - 8 answers

Trouble installing windows xp on a vista laptop (Acer 6530) [more inside]
posted by gigimakka on Aug 18, 2009 - 5 answers

My trusty 3-year old home office PC is starting to drag a bit, so I'm thinking about replacing it. Should I bite the bullet and buy something with Vista? Go with XP, even if it means not getting the latest Intel processor? Or, should I wait until Windows 7? [more inside]
posted by stuehler on Apr 21, 2009 - 25 answers

What are the best resources for computer novices? I often find myself in the position of helping friends and family figure out how to operate their computers (typically Windows XP or Vista, but OS X tips are welcome too.) While I realize there's no substitute for face-to-face instruction, my time is not infinite and I'd like to be able to set them up with some bookmarks or documents that will give them guidance when I'm not around. [more inside]
posted by contraption on Apr 12, 2009 - 2 answers

My sister just reformatted her hard drive replacing Vista with XP, but now she can't get online. HP was no help because they said they can't support her changing operating systems. How can I help her get online? Model and other details follow: [more inside]
posted by crapples on Mar 10, 2009 - 12 answers

My new (XP) Netbook is refusing to open shared folders on my Vista main PC, yet if i reboot main pc it will suddenly work again! Can anyone help stop me tearing my hair out? [more inside]
posted by mrbenn on Mar 2, 2009 - 3 answers

On Windows (XP/Vista), how does Microsoft Office look up the list of fonts which are available to the user? [more inside]
posted by splice on Feb 26, 2009 - 17 answers

Why do file sizes vary from Windows XP to Vista????? [more inside]
posted by maxmix on Feb 6, 2009 - 16 answers

I love Vista, hate the way it handles flash drives. Obi-Wan, Help Me! I use a Vista laptop and an XP desktop for work. When I copy anything from the XP machine on my flash drive and use it on my Vista Laptop, it won't let me delete or re-save it after editing, saying the file is Read-Only. Even if I copy something to it from the Vista machine it always asks to confirm things. I know UAC is a pain in the neck but is there anyway around it's behaviour on flashdrives?
posted by damiano99 on Dec 18, 2008 - 6 answers

How can I dual boot XP and Vista on my Vaio when all I have is the factory recovery Vista disc and a "XP downgrade" disc? [more inside]
posted by T.D. Strange on Nov 25, 2008 - 6 answers

Building a uber powerful gaming pc, what parts to buy as I don't want to be a sucker. Need your help. Intel Core i7 [more inside]
posted by spinko on Nov 22, 2008 - 26 answers

Windows XP, XP64, Vista, and Linux machines refuse to play nicely together - Why can't I get them to ping each other? I am trying to hook up a mixed network for file/print sharing, network gaming and the like, but I seem to be having basic IP issues and I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure out the problem! [more inside]
posted by Nixie Pixel on Nov 5, 2008 - 14 answers

Can I use B: as a drive letter, on a modern windows PC, without messing things up? [more inside]
posted by penciltopper on Sep 29, 2008 - 11 answers

(I know you're not my helpdesk, but...) I'm trying to get some kind of "remote desktop" going between my laptop and my desktop. [more inside]
posted by NekulturnY on Sep 25, 2008 - 12 answers

I started with XP. Installed vista. Then I could choose between XP and Vista. I'm not using XP any more. Can I just delete the XP partition? [more inside]
posted by gergtreble on Sep 1, 2008 - 7 answers

What's the best way for two people to collaborate on their Windows computers that are on the same home network? [more inside]
posted by lunchbox on Aug 27, 2008 - 8 answers

Can I "downgrade" multiple computers with Vista pre-installed using only one license of XP Professional? [more inside]
posted by danwalker on Aug 27, 2008 - 8 answers

Why aren't there universal 32->64 bit driver translator/emulators? [more inside]
posted by Mokusatsu on Aug 23, 2008 - 9 answers

My parents computer crashed. I never determined the cause. It had XP on it. They've since bought a laptop, and want to recover documents from their desktop. They bought a hd enclosure. I connected the hd, and it's recognized, but it seems that the profiles must've been encrypted. I know that it's almost impossible to break the encryption, but want to be helpful, any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by TuxHeDoh on Aug 7, 2008 - 11 answers

Windows Taskbar: Multiple row management madness! [more inside]
posted by colecovizion on Aug 3, 2008 - 2 answers

I'm setting up a wireless network in my house and am having a problem getting my XP laptop and my roommates Vista laptop on at the same time. I can get one or the other accessing the internet (when right clicking on network and repairing). I'm assuming this is an IP conflict since when I get her Vista laptop accessing the net, a yellow triangle with an exclamtion mark pops up in my task bar and then my laptop won't access the net. My guess is I have to set up a static IP for both?
posted by debu on Jul 29, 2008 - 19 answers

Can an LVM partition be mounted by Windows XP or Vista? [more inside]
posted by lukemeister on Jun 28, 2008 - 5 answers

I'm purchasing an iMac sometime this weekend (yay!) and I'm trying to figure out how I want to partition the drive for Boot Camp... [more inside]
posted by DMan on Jun 13, 2008 - 18 answers

Will Windows 98 and XP run and dual boot (or, treble boot, I suppose,) with my new Vista running computer? [more inside]
posted by Snyder on Jun 8, 2008 - 5 answers

Various quandaries in building a new PC [more inside]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe on May 13, 2008 - 21 answers

Can someone clarify how (volume?) licensing of XP is going to work when we refuse to move to Vista? Reading all day, nothing makes sense. Not that long left to figure it out. [more inside]
posted by bartleby on May 12, 2008 - 5 answers

Should I bother with XP, much less vista? [more inside]
posted by ericales on Apr 23, 2008 - 18 answers

How can I turn my old Windows XP desktop into a print server for a wired network with Vista and XP machines? [more inside]
posted by abkadefgee on Apr 18, 2008 - 2 answers

Will I regret buying a laptop with Windows XP, instead of Vista? [more inside]
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! on Apr 17, 2008 - 27 answers

How to install XP to a brand new Vista-riddled Dell? [more inside]
posted by jdruk on Mar 24, 2008 - 16 answers

What programs\packages are available that allow one to plug a cable into one pc, the other end to another pc, and then migrate the data? [more inside]
posted by zephyr_words on Feb 19, 2008 - 8 answers

Going to try "downgrade" my new laptop from Vista to XP. Most painless method? Software to identify all drivers or other methods? [more inside]
posted by Iteki on Feb 12, 2008 - 13 answers

I've got 32bit windows XP. I also have 8 gigs of Ram. The windows specs say it'll only recognize 4 gigs. Other than converting to windows vista, is there any way to get my machine to recognize and use the other four gigs of ram?
posted by rileyray3000 on Jan 3, 2008 - 17 answers

It's time to replace our desktop computer. After threads like this about the sluggishness of Vista, I'd prefer to get XP Pro, but it appears that some vendors, such as HP, only offer Vista. I'd rather not buy a computer with Vista and then install XP. Ideally, the new box would come with XP Pro and include a coupon for Vista that will still be valid in one or two years when Microsoft will presumably gets its act together. Does anyone have such a thing? Thanks and happy holidays! [more inside]
posted by lukemeister on Dec 26, 2007 - 24 answers

Is Dell Support lying when they say that their new XPS laptop is not WinXP-compatible? [more inside]
posted by Fferret on Nov 26, 2007 - 13 answers

Does anyone have any idea as to why a Macbook Pro or a laptop running WinXP could see a wireless network broadcast from an old Netgear (802.11b network) but two different laptops running Vista would not even see that the network exists? The SSID is being broadcast and while there is basic MAC address filtering being used, the Vista laptops don't even see that a network exists. Thanks.
posted by Ikazuchi on Nov 25, 2007 - 4 answers

I'm not going to try upgrading to Vista yet again. There's nothing in Vista I need - except one thing. I love the "Stacks" feature in the new Explorer that allows you to create folders that follow specific criteria (like a Smart Playlist in iTunes). Does anyone know of a plugin, a program, whatever... that can add this functionality to XP?
posted by yehaskel on Nov 4, 2007 - 4 answers

I bought a new HP laptop. Vista is installed, I am going to install XP. If I want to reinstall Vista later on, after an SP or two, how can I reinstall w/ my legal copy's credentials? [more inside]
posted by jacobjacobs on Oct 16, 2007 - 12 answers

Is it possible to buy a new laptop for around $500 with Windows XP? [more inside]
posted by nzero on Sep 30, 2007 - 6 answers

How can I replace Vista on my new pc with Windows XP? The XP is newly purchased software. I have an Acer Aspire L100 Ultra Small Form Factor Desktop PC Model # ASL100-UD400A AMD Athln X2 4000+, 1GB SDRAM, 2500GB HDD, Wi-Fi, Slot-in DVD RW. [more inside]
posted by JujuB on Aug 29, 2007 - 8 answers

Should I install Vista on my next computer or stick with XP? [more inside]
posted by wintermute2_0 on Aug 24, 2007 - 33 answers

Spoiled by GMail, *really* looking for a way to use tags/labels for everyday files. [more inside]
posted by TomMelee on Aug 1, 2007 - 11 answers

I am building a new computer and was wondering if this setup seems good I already have the OS and case/power supply more details after break. (previously, previously) [more inside]
posted by DJWeezy on Jul 26, 2007 - 13 answers

Is this stupid: buying a Vista laptop intending to immediately install and dual boot XP Professional? [more inside]
posted by MaverickX on Apr 27, 2007 - 15 answers

I (apparently) messed up my partition, and now Windows thinks my hard drive is half the size it actually is. Help. [more inside]
posted by 4ster on Apr 22, 2007 - 5 answers

Is it possible to dual boot Windows Vista and Windows XP Pro if each are installed on separate hard drives? [more inside]
posted by hwestiii on Mar 18, 2007 - 4 answers

I have a client system that has Vista preinstalled. The client wants XP Pro on the system. It's a laptop, and the manufacturer (HP) only provides Vista drivers. Will the Vista drivers work in Windows XP? Is there a hardware-equivalent HP system that is the Windows XP version that I can get drivers for to use on this one? It's an HP DV6235NR. Thanks!
posted by SlyBevel on Mar 5, 2007 - 12 answers

Last month I built my own PC from components purchased from Newegg.com including Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM What do I enter as my "PC-Model" and "Serial" at the upgrade site listed on the upgrade redemption certificate since my home-rolled PC has neither a manufacturer model number nor a serial number? [more inside]
posted by drinkspiller on Jan 30, 2007 - 6 answers