Hi, Im trying to re-install windows xp pro sp2 on to my sony vaio vgn-t1xp. i booted from the cd, deleted the partitions that were currently on the harddrive, and then went on to format it (NTFS). once it had finished formatting, instead of continueing on to install xp, all it keeps doing is rebooting and then entering the setup again where i began :s Any Help would be great Thanks

In that case, put your Windows XP disk in the drive and boot up. During boot up press F2 and set the boot sequence to CD. Windows will install XPon your hard drive. Follow the promps and after the istallation is finished, download and install SP3.

you need to roll back the os

Best thing to do is to try to get the restore cd set from SONY or reload the XP if you have XP CD (but you will still have to download the correct drivers for your laptop to get all the hardware to work properly) or original restore cd that comes with your laptop.
http://pcrecoveryshop.com/

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

If you have a valid Win XP Pro CD and want to install the operating system you'll need to format your hard disk drive. If you have allot of data on you're hard disk drive, (In Win 2000) Suggest you create a second partition within the free space of you're hdd and install windows XP Pro. Boot you're system with the XP CD. Pay close attention to the display screens. Follow the instructions for creating a second partition.
Format the new partition. (Quick). Install windows XP on the new partition. Once completed you can copy your personal data to win XP.
If you choose to keep the win 2000 partition and you do not wish to have a dual boot system than remove/delete the root files from the 2000 partition. These files; Autoexec.bat and Boot.ini. You're new XP Boot.ini should read like this;
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /usepmtimer
Once you're satisfied an no longer need win 2000 use windows diskmgmt.msc from the run command to delete the win 2000 partition.
Win 2000 uses a FAT16 where Win XP uses the FAT NTFS.

Cheers!
Mike

That is called the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death).
try a chkdsk:


Chkdsk
Take the Windows XP disk. Boot from it, then DO NOT select F2 (automated system recovery) but continue through the procedure until you get to the point where you can choose between installing Windows XP and entering the Recovery Console. Once you get into the Recovery Console, do chkdsk and fix potential errors on your disks! Type Chkdsk C: /R at the prompt.

Or try a XP repair:

XP repair
When you boot with the Win XP install CD-ROM, it loads a minimal operating system, similar to DOS, but compatible with Win XP. At the first screen you select install Win XP (not Recovery Console) and at the next screen it will find that you already have Win XP and offer to attempt a repair. This repair should not touch your Applications or data; it just reinstalls the Windows files. This is great because when it works you don't need to reinstall all your software.


If I could be of further assistance, let me know. If this helps or solves the issue, please rate it.
Thanks, Joe



I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/joe_8b8c2cd6ce148309

Can you do this

Boot from the Windows XP CD.
Watch for a Press any key to boot from CD... message similar to the one shown above.
Press a key to force the computer to boot from the Windows CD. If you do not press a key, your PC will continue to boot to the Windows XP installation that's currently installed on your hard drive. If this happens, simply reboot and try to boot to the Windows XP CD again.
When the Windows XP Professional/Home Setup screen appears, press R to enter Recovery Console
Select your OS and enter password (if needed)
When you reach the command prompt type the following and then press Enter:
expand d:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32\hal.dll
Using the expand command as shown above, d represents the drive letter assigned to the optical drive that your Windows XP CD is currently in. While this is most often d, your system could assign a different letter. Also, c:\windows represents the drive and folder that Windows XP is currently installed on. Again, this is most often the case but your system could be different.
If you're prompted to overwrite the file, press Y.
Take out the Windows XP CD, type exit and then press Enter to restart your PC.

Is it ok if your files get lost forever?  If it is then what you have to do is when it says if you want to partition a hard drive space, you delete the biggest parition (which wipes any and all vista and files of the computer.)  Then it will ask you which partition you want use.  Use the one you just deleted, whhich is the biggest one.  It will ask you to format it and stuff, just go with it.  Then you will have XP instead of Vista!  (Warning: I warned you above that this way will wipe of vista and any other files-documents-photos-everything off your comptuer)

Reformat the hard drive first using. Take VISTA off. 

buy windows xp home edition cd and install it