Uninstalling Vista in XP dual-boot env

[ColKurtz]

I'm planning on testing out Vista/XP dual-boot but from what I understand Vista takes over the MBR -- one dual-boot article called it a "one way street".

Just want to verify that, if I want to un-do the dual boot env, I can just boot to XP recovery menu and run fixmbr... does vista do something to the MBR that would prevent fixmbr from recovering?

FYI... XP is on primary partition C:, Vista will be installed on logical partition D:

TIA.

 

[Aberforth]

Yes it is possible...this is the fourth time i'm posting a solution. you do not need a PhD to do it, though some people screw up Vista's boot settings and blame MS...anyway to uninstall Vista

1. Boot your computer in to Windows XP.
2. Ensure you have the Vista DVD
3. Go to ?Start? and ?Run?. Type in ?K:\boot\bootsect.exe /nt52 ALL /force?
4. Format the partition/drive where you had Vista installed.
5. Remove two files (Boot.BAK and Bootsect.BAK) on your XP drive?s root C:, these are backup files
6. Done

 

[MadScientist]

This method is probably the quickest. There are other methods that also work.
Link , or you can use VistaBootPro.

Even after you have formatted your Vista partition, Vista leaves behind a hidden folder in your primary active partion C:\ called Boot, which has a bunch of subfolders of different language bootmgr.exe.mui files. This folder is super protected. Many have tried to delete it, including myself (Safe Mode, taking ownership, etc.), but I have found only one person who claims to have succeeded. Last post here.

His method worked, but I had to boot into Safe Mode and take ownership of the folder under the TrustedInstaller account before I could delete it.

 

[Brazen]

I installed Vista onto my existing Windows XP box in a dual boot setup. Once I got sick of playing around with Vista, I booted into Windows and deleted the partition with Vista on it. I then booted to my Windows XP CD and did fixmbr and fixboot. Rebooted and everything was fine; it booted into XP just like before Vista ever touched it.