[CedarDave]

Dave, it sounds like you're saying that you want her to switch back to XP because you don't have a clue how to use it.

So very true. I don't have a clue as how to use it. She calls me because she doesn't have anyone else to call except for Dell. I would like to help her, but I am not going to learn Vista myself. In fact, everything I've heard and read on here says "stay away". Of course the simplest thing would be to tell her to send it back or call a local tech. She's stubborn and won't do either.

But my original question remains. Is a dual boot machine the answer? How does a dual boot machine work? Can it be configured to start up just one way (with XP?). Or do you have to tell it what to do everytime?

[Doohickey]

I've got Vista on four machines were with no complaints. I can't speak for the arrogant, the stupid or the misinformed.

A dual-boot is not the way to go for a casual user. She'd have to clean install XP, then install Vista on another partition. The way to go is to help her with the computer she has, not the one you want her to have.

What do you have as far as a problem statement? What is it that she can't do?

[Woodman]

I will give you the simple answer. I haven't duel booted Vista, but if it works like every other copy of NT has for at least a decade, all you have to do is install XP in a different directory and you will get a duel boot option at start.

First, during the install, make sure you take the expert path so that you can select the directory to install XP in.

Second, after the install, you will see a pale blue screen at start which will ask you which installation of windows you want to start.

Since Vista was installed first, it will start on its own if you do not make a selection within a preset amount of time (usually 30 second).

I would be willing to bet that you can duel boot it as easy as described above, sight unseen.

[Woodman]

DoHickey says don't follow my advice, stick with him for now.

[6ppc]

Or do you have to tell it what to do everytime?

I upgraded an XP box to Vista at work and it comes up to a dual boot screen that defaults to the last version you booted. It automatically starts if you don't intervene within a few seconds.

I'm afraid talking her through an XP install may be a challenge in itself, much less a format and XP install to a clean hard disk. Also with Dell machines you generally have to reinstall drivers from a separate CD one at time...real pain in the butt.