ok so my friend got vista so i got it off him and used it on my computer and now it knows i used his and wont let me on my computer i have a xp disk and can't even put that back on cuz it wont read any disks i put in


HELP PLEASE ASAPWelcome to the CH forums.

Begin by ENSURING that your backup is up-to-date so that if you have to do a destructive restore you will not lose your valuable data. I doubt if Vista will automatically PERMIT a retro install of XP without some loss. Do not attempt to re-install XP without considering options.

Someone will be along shortly to advise on your OS problem.

Can you logon to WINDOWS into Safe Mode?

Tap F8 before the Windows Bootscreen APPEARS and use the arrow keys to choose Safe Mode.

Do you get the same problem in Safe Mode?
From there you should be able to backup your data to floppy disk or CD-ROM.Chances are very good that Vista will not let the XP install go past the second phase which is when it ID's your hardware...
Travel to bootdisk.com and DLoad a WinME bootdisk.
Extract the file to a clean floppy to create the bootdisk.
Boot to the floppy and at the A: PROMPT type in format C: /u and hit Enter.

WARNING: All your data will be erased.
It will ask for a volume name hit Enter to select none.
Remove the floppy and put your XP CD in and re-boot.
The setup for XP should now run with no problem.