Hello,
My new HP dv6409us pavilion laptop came preloaded with vista and 1 GB ram, but I was having major issues with the OS and tried to use the restore disk I made when I first got the laptop, which was a single DVD. When I tried to use it, though, it formatted the partition fine, but I got a nasty error message while loading the factory settings.

I could no longer access the recovery partition either because the failed restore process (which i tried several times), deleted a boot manager or something like that. When I started up the computer, all I would get was a black screen with the underscore cursor in the top left. I had to use the laptop the next day, though, so I downloaded and installed openSUSE linux 10.3 (presumably onto a new partition(s)? maybe 2 new ones?).

Now, I want to delete everything and install XP. I have found the correct drivers for my hardware (in .exe format) from the HP website. I tried simply putting in the disk and installing it but it gave me an error:

Four days later but no replies? I admit this seems unlike the CastleCops i remember. 70-some people have seen the problem, yet nobody has even some advice or a similar question?

To simplify the question: If I simply format the entire hard drive to NTFS, will this be suitable for installing windows XP or a clean Vista install? (or is there more to it than that?)

-J2of7

Hi j2of7,
I am sorry for the delay.

That should be ok. As long as you have all of your correct drivers. The XP installation procedure will give you options to create more than one partition. Be sure you have installers for your antivirus and firewall before you format. That way you can install them on the new OS before connecting to the internet to get all the updates you will need and you will be protected.

Let us know how it goes.