Windows xp & Windows 7 headache

Hello everybody,
I really need some help before taking hammer to computer.
I had windows xp installed, and 3 partitions, C D E, windows xp was loaded on c drive, after a few problems i decided to give try windows 7 a go. Im no expert but normally muddle through ok, so if this all sound very muddled its because i am totally.
I loaded the disc, and i really wanted to delete the C & D partition to make larger and keep E for the kids, somehow it would only let me load onto D, well i clicked ok and windows 7 was loaded onto D but renamed itself C, so my old C is now G and the drive id left as E is now D ?.
When starting up i have the option to load windows xp or windows 7, if i click windows xp, all i get is totally blank screen and nothing happens, but windows 7 works ok just a few hitches.
Now i have found that i cannot format any of the 2 drives and would love to completely flatten the 2 drives and start a fresh with just windows xp or even just to remove windows 7 would be great.
Please please help
Thanks jenny

Thankyou i hope this is ok. Jenny

Thankyou, well i think before i can do anything il need to get a portable hard drive and save everything from the D drive as this has a lot of important stuff on. Once this is done i would like to completely flatten the lot and just make into two partitions C & D and reload windows xp, as i have a dinosaur of a computer, Mesh, AMD Athlon (tm) 64 processor 3200+2.00 Ghz with 1.00 GB Ram, she's about 7/8 yrs old and theres a few things on windows 7 that just dont seem to work, without alot of upgrades.
So i would still like to know how to start all over again.
Thankyou so much, Jenny

Good idea on the external to back up your files. Use it for regular backups and storage as well.

If you want to try Win7 for your clean reinstall, we can help you try to overcome any problems by using Compatibility Mode which makes a program think it is installing in the older OS it was made for: Compatibility Mode

Once you're all backed up, wipe your HD of all code before reinstall: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
Clean Install Windows 7

If you have Upgrade version, you'll need to do one of the workarounds here when installing to a cleaned HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

XP is nearly XPired so now is the time to migrate to the future.

Hello, i think ive attached a quick rundown on my old girl, i do have the original Mesh recovery disc, and all the necessary drivers for the sound ect, im still in a bit of a pickle as i do like windows 7, but due to her age ???? i use creative sound blaster Audigy2ZS and Nvidia FX5600 personal cinema which work fine in XP but a few probs with win 7, i do have 2 laptops with win 7 on, so i think xp might have to stay ??

This might be the attachment

See if you can determine the Unknown Device using this method: Hardware Identification

Google for Win7 drivers for your Creative and Nvidia devices to see if they are avaiable. If not, try installing their Applications in Compatibility Mode using the tutorial I linked before.

Are you noticing any performance issues that might reveal what the Unknown Device is which is missing driver?