Bought one dell vostro1015 laptop. I trying to install windos vista perinum os to that laptop,the hard disk is divided into 4 partitions but it need to format the hard disk to format ntfs to install win vista so I tried to format it but it gives an error 0x80004005 , what is the solution to remove the problem and how to format the hard disk ?,by the way I haven't any os on the laptop

Yes this is completely possible in two ways.
(1) You can install both of these Operating systems Vista ans XP on one PC and when one boots the other is not cannot be booted unless you shut down the first one. Only one OS will run at a time.

(2)You can run XP inside Windows Vista. I have not yet tried vice versa but I find no reason why it is not possible. Remember that you will be running Windows Vista and you will be running Windows XP in a Window with full functionality. You have to use a technology called Visualization. One of the software that facilitates this is called Virtual PC 2007 by Microsoft and it is not difficult to use once you have the basic knowledge. With this software you have to create something called a Virtual machine of Windows XP.

When you install XP and Vista, such as I described in option (1) above, y ou have to divide your hard disk into two parts called partitions and there are labeled as C:, D:, E: etc to distinguish from each other. If you have already installed Vista in one partition usually C: partition you install Windows XP on the other partition. If you have only one partition then you have to create an additional partition to install Windows XP otherwise the message of "not compatible" will be displayed. Remember that you cannot install two operating systems on a single Hard Disk with a single partition on it. You have to break the hard disk down into partitions and install the Windows Vista and XP one by one. You can easily create partitions using the partition software like "Partition Magic".
Since at this point I do not know which option you would like to pursue from (1) and (2) therefore I cannot guide you any further and wish you
Good Luck!

you cannot split the partition while its in use.
THE FOLLOWING WILL ERASE THE ENTIRE DRIVE.

put the OS dvd into the machine
power on
hit F12 key when the dell logo appears
select the cd/dvd drive.
the machine will now boot from the OS disk
follow the instructions until it asks where to install windows.
At this point you can split the disk into as many partitions as you like providing you choose a partition of at least 30Gb for the OS to be installed on.

You can partition your hard disk in Windows 7. You might have to format your hard disk in that case.

Check this link : http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/resize-a-partition-for-free-in-windows-vista/

Its given detailed in this link. Hope I helped you.

Please rate me if it was helpful. Thanks

You need to have an valid Operating System installer CD/DVD. This could be a Windows or Linux installer or whatever Operating System that you prefer.

1. Turn your laptop on.
2. Open the CD drive and load the CD Installer.
3. Reset your laptop to manually reboot it. If you loaded the CD fast, this step is no longer required.
4. The setup program will then load. Follow the onscreen procedure.
5. At the point of selecting the hard disk drive, choose "Delete Partitions" to completely remove all data.
6. After deleting partitions, create new partitions for your hard disk. You can choose to divide your hard disk capacity into 2 or more partitions depending on your requirements.
7. Format the root partition now (Drive C) to continue the installation.

probably need to use your recover disk- unless you are running different OSs on other partitions, probably no reason to partition the hd. unless you want a partition for backup purposes- better to get a usb external drive to use for backup, in case your primary hd fails!
merging probably confused your vista OS. may have messed up your boot sector. might think about W7- you may be able to get a free upgrade!! check it out!
(after you get vista working again!)
good luck!

How do you want it? it will be around 60, 60, 60 ,60 then. and you may need to install vista again into the laptop.

how did you want it?

you can use the vista setup disk to partition the drive into 4 parts will be around 60 each.

Your hard drive may need reseating.
If it still gives error hard disk not found then you have a faulty hard drive.
You need a new hard drive and then install Windows Vista

tru following steps

1) plug in usb device
2) change your boot option to cd from hard disk
3) insert installation disk in cd drive.
4) follow the steps.
5)finalize instalation.

Enjoy !!!

I don't recommend just partitioning with an active system.(only when you are reinstalling or installing your OS for the first time) The reason they have multiple partitions is for reinstall/recovery.  You can right click on My Computer and click manage.  Click disk managment to see more details about partitions.  If it is an UNLETTERED partition leave it alone.  I use partition magic (it's not free) There are free ones but you get what you pay for.  Partitions are touchy with the possibliity you ruin your MBR and need to fdisk and reinstall windows.  Be sure you know what you are doing.
James Mac

Hi Harry

yes, vista can be installed on I-macs ...but i need to know which version of operating system do you have (whether it's leopard or tiger and version 10.5.2 or earlier)
I say so because new version of Leopard Operating system has a feature called "boot camp"... this is Apple's "bootloader" ... which means it will help you install windows Vista on Apple I-mac .

If you have genuin vista disk handy with you and after you have backed up all the data on the apple machine , this is what you gotta do....

1. Using the Finder, navigate through Applications, Utilities and run Boot Camp Assistant.
2. Click Continue on the Introduction screen.
3. Next, you will need to specify how you want your hard drive divided up for Windows. A separate partition will be created that Windows will use. Drag the divider to adjust the size for Windows as shown below. I recommend at least 15 GB to allow for the OS and some apps. When you are ready, click Partition and your disk will be prepared.


4. It is time to start the Windows installation. Insert your Windows Vista install DVD and click Start Installation. Your Mac will automatically reboot and boot to the install DVD.

5. Install Windows Vista as you would normally do. When asked where to install, select the partition called BOOTCAMP. You will need for format this partition with NTFS.
6. When Windows Vista has installed, remove the Windows Vista install DVD and insert your OS X 10.5 Leopard install DVD. Run the Boot Camp installer application and all the Windows drivers for your Apple hardware will be automatically installed.

7. When you want to switch to OS X or Windows, just reboot and hold down the Option key to select what partition to boot.