[Zeneta]

Thanks.

But.

I have the original Vista Install disc.

At one point during this most recent install attempt I even got a screen that said something to the effect of “ Welcome to Windows... and your NEW install etc..”

I’m in a catch 22, so to speak.

My current system is fine running XP and I like it that way.

I don’t have any “writable or re-writable CD’s” and I certainly don’t need to buy a pack of 20.

Cheap and stubborn? Yes.

I do have a handfull of USB drives and but I don’t know how or even think I can make a recovery “disc” that will execute from a USB drive.

Oddly enough while attempting these installs (not as recovery or upgrade) as “New” I was never asked of the “Product Key”.

I think I need to wipe my HD(format)but I don’t know how from what I can see so far.

I can look again but I don’t think I can do this from the “f12” or bios?

[Kirkwood]

If you have a genuine vista installation disk (is it labeled?), you can always get to the advanced recovery options. You probably are not following the instructions exactly, and instead you are letting the automatic repair option continue. Cancel this when the auto repair starts and this brings up the advanced options menu. If that doesn’t happen, you maybe don’t have a genuine installation disk.

Can you get to a command line prompt?
Using a command line to repartition:

1. Open Command Prompt.

2. Type:

diskpart

3. At the DISKPART prompt, type:

list disk

Make note of the disk number of the disk from which you want to delete the partition.

4. At the DISKPART prompt, type:

select diskn

Select the disk n from which you want to delete the partition.

5. At the DISKPART prompt, type:

list partition

Make note of the number of the partition that you want to delete.

6. At the DISKPART prompt, type:

select partitionn

Select the partition n that you want to delete.

7. At the DISKPART prompt, type:

delete partition

You can also use the command line to format the partition after it is created.

copy - Copy a file to another location.
move - Move a file to another location.
rd - Remove an empty directory.
ren - Rename a file or directory.
more - Show the contents of a file one page a time. typically used to read text/ascii files.
type - Show the contents of a file all at once without pausing at each page like the more command. Typically used to read text/ascii files.
xcopy - Copy a folder and all its contents to another location.
mkdir - Make a new directory.
diskpart - Load the Windows disk management program. From this program you can create, delete, shrink, and expand your existing partitions as well as get information about partitions and hard drives.
dir - List the contents of the current directory or the directory you specify as an argument.
cd - Change your current directory to another one.
attrib - Change the file attributes on a particular file or directory.
del - Delete a file
bcdedit - Displays and allows you to change how Windows boots up. This command is useful for people who are having trouble with the Windows Boot Manager.
chkdsk - Scan your hard disk for errors and fix them.

It is also possible that your hard disk controller is toasted and the bios then sees no hard drives available. However from your original comments I understood the drive was accessible.