I was running windows 7 for over 2 years that I had bought my pc used. I had a massive stroke in 2010 and was off line for over a year and when I returned online or tried to, MS said I was using an illegal system and I had no system at all. My short term memory was so bad I was off the pc for another 6 months. At 70 and nearly broke Linux came to my rescue. My problem is I cant grasp to repartion my hard drive as I used the entire disk and I cant remember the next day what I figured out the last day. I have a new Xp disk (a gracious gift)but Addled me used the entire disk except 7400 mb on the disk for Mint and XP wont load on that..It doesnt give the option to format or partion I can go next door and am a whiz on his XP. Kinda odd. The pc is a Gateway MX 8734 160mb 2gb memory. I know what I am saying is not explaining anything right but its the best I have. At least some might get a good laugh. lol. If there were any one that might feel to try to understand what I am saying please contact me at hughes.cassell@yahoo.com because I Probably wont find this site tomorrow. Thank you if you grasp any thing I tried to say. Nite all

Good Day Noel,
XP and for that matter all M$ OS's are jealous, Like introducing your spouse to your girlfriend, they want it all. For you the most direct method would be to just start by doing a full xp install, although it may be challenging as M$ pulls the plug on XP afterward defrag, update everything you can in XP, defrag again, shutdown, then boot from the "Live CD" (which I recommend to make sure your hardware is compatible and that your comfortable with the feel of your chosen distro, remember the live system is low performance in comparison to an installed system) or boot from the install DVD, the installer will inventory and evaluate hardware and come up with several install scenarios, if your not sure chose the defaults, the installer will shrink the windows partition, install a boot loader and system.

Knowing of the challenges you face I just don't think showing a partition utility to you would be irresponsible of me,

The very best to you..

First, a phone call or e-mail to Microsoft's help center would've resolved the issue with your Win7 install; had to go that route myself with a brand-new Win8 laptop from Staples a few months ago, as well as with a WinXP machine back when they first slipped "Genuine Advantage" in as a critical update.

Also, IIRC, a Win7 computer cannot run XP due to hardware incompatibilities; remember the fiasco over the Vista "Home Basic" and "Premium" versions? XP machines could only run Home Basic; Win7 is an upgrade to Premium. MS did provide a special downgrade disc with Vista computers that included XP drivers for the new hardware, but I doubt that would work without a Vista installation.

That said, I think your best option is to choose a Linux distro and stick with it. The newer versions really are not that difficult to learn; in fact, for most apps, I hardly see a difference. I know what I can do with Linux that I couldn't with Windows, but I don't need to anymore just to use it.

Hi,

Sorry, but WinXP can be run on some newer hardware. Problem is driver availabilities. I have loaded WinXP x86_32 WinXP x86_64 on several new build systems for client support. Sure I had to dig out drivers, not all hardware supports older OS so choose wisely for hardware.

If you do need WinXP x86_32 or x86_64 then you could run as a quest using a Vm Linux host. I prefer VirtualBox;As to partition question by the OP. You could use tools from Tools, Recovery, Diagnostic, Emergency
As to your memory issue, I suggest that you create a system log and enter any changes or maintenance entries into the log. That way you can always look at the log to know what has been done or what may need to be done. I use spiral notebooks, college ruled. I will number all pages then time stamp any entries. Corrections or incorrect entries are lined out then initialed then enter the correction therefore the log remains intact. I do not remove any pages or allow it to be done for system & maintenance logs. This has saved me many heart aches over the years. The log book remains intact therefore can be used as a legal document if you follow the correction technique of crossing then initial with time-stamp. Big plus is that you have a trail of what has been done or what needs to be done. Erasures are good when writing a simple letter not a system log.

I buy the spiral college ruled notebooks at Walmart after school year starts for around $0.15/each when Walmart marks for clearance. You have to be quick!

My personal stache is at about 40 new notebooks.