UPDATE.

My co-worker (another comp tech) showed me how to use runas to try and run the specific commands as an admin. The problem with this is not only that you have to enter the password each...

I'm not too keen on this new over the top 'run as administrator' thing in vista. I know it's for my own protection, to prevent malicious code from altering my system, but it makes batch programming...

use vista. but if you find compatibility issues, then install a virtual machine (i use VMware) of windows xp. the only issue that i get with a VM is booting from USB, because the bios on the vm...

Should work. If loading the XP cd on boot doesn't work, then format (after a backup of course) the drive and try again.