i guess would be better if u install a genuine version of XP and then upgrade .It should allow you to upgrade from XP to Vista is pretty easy but i am not sure if it can detect that you have a pirated version.
If you upgrade from XP to vista u will retain ur docuents and files.
I can give u a step by step account of how to install XP if you want.
ok ill do it anyways.
First you gotta insert the XP cd into ur cd drive.
restart your computer and enter bios im not sure which button lets u get into bios setting on Hp on a dell its F2
Once your into bios go to boot sequence and make sure the cd drive is listed first you can use the "U" button or up rrow to move it up or "D' or down arron to move it down .then hit f10 will ask you to save and exit.Remeber your mouse wont work while your in the bios (basic input output system) fyi.
The computer will boot make sure your attentive the screen will flash and then say press any key to boot from cd.
Hit enter or spacebar any key will do.
You will see "setup is checking your hardware configuration" on your screen.
At this stage setup will load files needed for minimal version of XP onto the memory sitback. It will be a blue or black screen and you will see names of files that are being copied at the bottom.
After few mins you will see the license agreement.
Hit F8 to accept the license agreement read it before u hit F8 if u want to.
It will search for previous versions of windows on ur hard drive if it finds one will ask you if u wanna repair it .
Is better to do a fresh install hit esc.
Then it will load screen where you have to format the hard drive .
Will show current configuration of your hard drive remember Xp needs atleast 2GB of free space .
You can use C to create a partition on upartionted space and then will ask you to enter how big a partition you want in Megabytes
1gb=1024mb
so make sure you enter 2048 and hit enter it will create a parition slect it and hit enter to install XP on that partition.
It will ask you what file system you want it to format it with i recommend you select NTFS. And hit enter it will format the hdd with NTFS file system you will see the progress bar once its done it will load files needed for graphical user interface installation of Xp so sit back get a drink or something wont be long.
Once its done it will reboot your computer.this time dont hit any key when it asks you to press any key to boot from cd.
Ull see windows Xp screen for lil while and will start the graphical user interface.
A blue screen telling you about features of XP
It will load a few files and then ask you for the Product key
Its a 25 digit alphanumeric no you should have it with the genunne version of XP.If not on the jewel case of cd look for it on ur computer tower that is if the Cd came with ur system.
will ask for regional settings and keyboard settings hit enter
Then will ask you to enter name and organization
Type in ur name.
Then will ask for computer name if ur comp is part of domain ull need to ask your admin for computer name of simply just let it take the default name.
Hit enter .
hen will ask the time zone you are in .use drop down box to select place where u are or time zone u are in
.
Will load few files .
then will detect ur netwrok card and install drivers for it then will ask you for network setting.
Select typical and hit enter.
Will ask u if ur computer is part of domain or workgroup is beter to select workgroup.
Then just sit back and let Xp do its thing it will configure and save setting delete temporay files and restart computer.
Make sure u dont hit any keys let xp load
Walah u have XP
next time u restart computer go back into Bios and select the hard drive as primary boot device