I have tried to format a partition with WINDOWS 7 on the C: DRIVE ,( I

am trying to install XP on the Laptop which does not have a CD drive so

I have to use an external one)  and I am told that I cannot format a

partition with an O/S on it. Can you help,. I am getting the  errors

that are posted.
    I loaded Win XP and it started to install, during installation I was

told that these where missing                                           

                                        cmnicfg.xml
 ipcfg.xml
 osinfo.xml                            Also i386:  Which I think is the
 potscfg.xml                           main part of the O/S 
 pppcfg.xml

     So in the end I got a Fatal error notice.   I cannot get back to

the old partition to manage it because the XP install deleted the WIN7

O/S. so I am unable to shrink the partition with the old Win 7 on it. 

Thanks Johnny
 
What exactly are you doing here ? ?
Do you want to wipe 7 and install XP ? ?
If so what media are you using and how did you build it ? ?

Way more INFO is needed...PS...why does the laptop not have a CD drive ? ?I'm going to lock this thread. You've posted the same question at at least one other forum and are receiving help there. Your situation is very confusing and keeping active threads at multiple sites will only serve to confuse the issue (and us).