Windows 7: downgrading from windows 7 to windows xp pro

just purchased my computer and it came with windows 7 home ed. 64 bit. i would like to re-format my hard drive to remove the 7 and install xp. having a hard time doing so because of a partion created by 7. any ideas how i can go about deleting it and then installing xp pro? sorry new to all this. thanks!!

Just download this :

Browse GParted Files on SourceForge.net

Burn the ISO to a CD and use the GNOME Partition Editor to delete/create partitions. Its quite self-explaining.

ingopan, thank you for the reply. could you please let me know where to find the "ISO" that i need to burn to a disc? and where do i find "GNOME partion editor"? sorry, new to this. thanks!!

When you click that link you'll see a big, green download button. Click it, save the iso and then burn it to cd.

got it.. thanks! done. where do i go to find "gnome partition editor"?

sorry, i burned the ISO to the disc already. but there are no programs that would run that was burned to the disc. there are few files. could you please help me on what is the next step i need to do? sorry for all the newbie questions. thanks!!

Make your Recovery disks first. The Recovery partition will likely be disabled if you install XP over Windows 7.

Why do you want to abandon Windows 7, which is the future, to go back to an obolete OS?

Check this out: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

I echo gregrocker. You should consider a dual boot system since you now have the latest OS.

Why do you what delete Win 7?

You can delete all the partitions at this screen.

unfortunately my solidworks 2009 and autocad 2009 does not work with windows 7. which was the main reason for the new computer. plus figured with the old OS, XP, all softwares work with it already. will look at the dual boost installation now. cant seem to get to the XP installation part that allows me to delete all the partitions. even set the startup on the BIOS to startup on the cd and not hard drive.